Mothers Day Traditions

In the 17th Century when returning to their families on Mothering Sunday people would bring their mothers small gifts like trinkets or a "mothering cake". In northern England and in Scotland, the usual gifts were carlings, which were pancakes made of steeped pease fried in butter, with pepper and salt. In fact, in some locations the day was referred to as Carling Sunday.

Another kind of mothering cake was the simnel cake, a very rich fruit cake. Because of lent simnel cake had to keep until Easter. It was boiled in water, then baked, and was often finished with an almond icing. Sometimes the crust was of flour and water, colored with saffron.

Breakfast in bed, brunch at a fancy restaurant, or a picnic in the park are all wonderful ways to spend Mother's Day. But some mums and their families have devised truly inventive ways to commemorate the day. Treasured traditions that might spark ideas for your own family: