In the US, the official Mother’s Day holiday came to be in the early 1900’s due to the efforts of one Anna Jarvis- the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis who was a community organizer and social activist during the American Civil War.
According to History.com, after her mother’s death in 1905, Anna conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices that mothers made for their children. In May of 1908 she got financial backing from John Wanamaker, a department store owner in Philadelphia, and organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at a Methodist church in West Virginia. Thousands of people attended a Mother’s Day event at one of Wanamaker’s retail stores that same day.
After a successful first Mother’s Day, Anna was determined to see the holiday on the national calendar. She insisted that American holidays were biased towards men and their achievements and started a massive campaign urging the adoption of a special day to honor motherhood. President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in 1914. Anna’s persistence finally paid off.
This year Mother’s Day falls on May 10th. Whether your mother is thousands of miles away or just down the road, it is important to show her how special she is to you.
We have put together a list of just some of the options you will have to show your Mom just how appreciated and loved she is.
- Treat her to a day of relaxing at the spa.
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North will offer a complimentary treatment enhancement to guest booking an 80-minute service on Mother’s Day. Reservations should be made in advance to take advantage of their Mother’s Day special.
The Waldorf Astoria Spa at the Boulders Resort in Carefree is offering three special packages throughout the month of May on honor of Mother’s Day. The “OHM FOR Mom” Spa Package is a full day spa package designed just to pamper mom. It includes: 50-minute Oxygenating Facial; 50-Minute Herbal Aromatherapy; 50-minute Marine Detox Wrap; Healthy lunch in the Waldorf Astoria Spa Café. The cost is $475 and includes gratuity. Celebrating Generations is an option for grandma, mom and granddaughter who can all enjoy the spacious Sun Suites – 700 sq. foot suites that include a private outdoor whirlpool, fireplace, steam shower and patio to enjoy a healthy lunch. The Sun Suites can accommodate 2-4 people. Special pricing with be offered to the ladies on all a la carte spa treatments: 10% discount for mom alone; 20% discount (mother/daughter, ages 16 and older); 30% discount (grandmother, mother, and daughter). They even have a special for the expecting Mother in your life. The Mothers-To-Be package can restore balance and harmony with the Pre-natal Nurture Massage. It is a soothing, full-body massage for the mother-to-be, specifically addressing pregnancy discomforts. It aids in relaxation, benefits circulation, and provides comfort during this time of change. You should make these reservations in advance.
These spas, as well as most other spas, also offer gift certificates, so if Mom can’t get in on Mother’s Day she can use that to schedule a day of relaxing and pampering at a different date.
- Treat her to a meal.
Going out to eat for Mother’s Day can be as extravagant or simple as you prefer. Not everyone can afford to spoil Mom with a lavish meal costing upwards of $200 and that is okay! AboutTravel.com has a list of 30 Valley restaurants to take Mom with specials that are less than $30.
One Valley favorite is Chompie’s. With four valley locations (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler) it isn’t too difficult to find a location near you. Sunday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to close. All moms will receive a free slice of homemade Strawberry White Chocolate Layer Cake on Mother’s Day ($6.95 value), with purchase of an entree. They have a special Mother’s Day menu that will only cost around $19.95 and will offer half-off glasses of wine all day. Dine in only, no substitutions.
A slightly more formal, yet still affordable option would be Rawhide Steakhouse in Chandler. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. they will be offering a Mother’s Day Buffet featuring: Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Sage Crusted Pork Loin with Apple Marmalade, Mesquite Grilled Top Sirloin, Lemon Herb Chicken, Dill Buttered Salmon; Omelet Station, Banana French Toast with Stewed Strawberries, Buttermilk Pancakes, Bacon & Sausage, Southwestern Hash Browns; Cocktail Shrimp with Bloody Mary Aioli, Garden Salad Bar, Mandarin Orange & Cranberry Salad; Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes with Homemade Gravy, Bacon Infused Macaroni and Cheese, Roasted Corn Succotash, Garlic and Almond Sautéed Green Beans; Dessert Station; Coffee, Tea and Soda. $21.95 per person, $9.95 per child age 4 – 12, Parties of 8 or more are subject to a 12% service fee. The Rawhide Steakhouse menu is not being offered on Mother’s Day. Parking is free.
- Events for the sporty Mom.
Moms can golf for free on Mother’s Day when accompanied by a paying golfer at The Boulders, Waldorf Astoria Resort in Carefree. Call 480-488-9028 to arrange a tee time.
Another fun option for a sports Mom would be to attend the Arizona Diamond Backs game. They are home this year on Mother’s Day weekend, playing the San Diego Padres. If you cannot make this particular game, tickets to a game on another date are also a fun option.
- See the Butterflies
If your Mom loves nature, the Desert Botanical Garden Butterfly Exhibit will be open through Mother’s Day.
Also, in celebration of Mother’s Day Butterfly Wonderland will be giving all mothers a special commemorative butterfly gift when accompanied by their children or grandchildren.
- Family Waterpark Fun
Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. take the family to Kiwanis Recreation Center and have a blast at the Wave Pool, where moms will get in free with their child’s paid admission. Children under the age of eight must have an adult with them at all times.
On Mother’s Day, moms get in for free at Big Surf. Everyone will receive 50 percent off of general admission by each bringing in at least five non-perishable food items for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance to help the hungry.
- Visit a Farm
Schnepf Farms, the largest peach grower in the Arizona, has their annual Peach Festival 7:30am to 4pm May 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th, 2015. INCLUDES: Hay rides to the orchards, live music, train rides, carousel rides and more, Peachy Pancake breakfast, Peachy Sampling Pavilion with food ranging from sweets to salsa’s, Water activities, Peachy arts and crafts booths, Peach pies, peach cinnamon rolls, peach cookies, peach cobbler and more. You can also go into the orchard and pick your own peaches. They allow you to sample, but ask that you limit yourself to one or two.
There are a lot of options to show your Mother your appreciation. These are only a small sampling of things you can do. If money is tight another option would be to attend a farmers market together, then cook her a nice meal with the items you purchased together! You can get ideas for recipes here on Fill Your Plate.
No matter how you choose to do it, make sure to show your Mother some love this Mother’s Day.