In Portugal, we now celebrate Mother´s Day on the first Sunday of May, but the day to celebrate the love of our mothers has changed over the years. In 1950, the Mocidade Portuguesa Feminina established 8 December as Mother’s Day, coinciding with the day of the Immaculate Conception. However, the church in Portugal requested a change in this date. They wished for Our Lady, the Patroness of Portugal, to have a distinct day separate from the commercial aspects typically associated with Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day started to be celebrated on the last Sunday of May, but the church requested another date change to avoid conflicts with Pentecost or Ascension celebrations. It was then fixed on the first Sunday of May, as it doesn’t coincide with any significant Christian religious festivities, and it has remained so to this day.
The date of Mother’s Day varies worldwide. In Brazil, Germany, Austria, Australia and the United States of America, it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. In France, Sweden and Morocco, it is celebrated on the last Sunday of May. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom and Ireland, it occurs three Sundays before Easter.
Origin of the word Mother
Interestingly, the word “mother” starts with the letter “m” in various languages and has a similar sound. It is believed that the languages of Europe and Asia belong to the Indo-European family. The word *méh2tēr was the origin of the word mother in this ancient language, giving rise to mother in English, mâdar in Persian, mitéra in Greek, máthair in Irish, and, of course, to the small Portuguese word of just three letters, mãe.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
At Mar d’Estórias, as lovers of the Portuguese language, traditions and celebrations, we offer some gift suggestions to give to your mother on 5 May.
Jewellery by Pilar do Rio: These pieces, full of freshness, evoke summer, vibrant colours and femininity. The author of these creations is from Lagos, where the pieces were also designed.
Fly London Footwear: For 30 years, this Portuguese brand has delighted with its bold collections, always maintaining traditional production techniques. The summer collection is now available at Mar d’Estórias and promises to be the ideal gift for all mothers.
Leme Perfumes com estória: This brand fills Portugal with scents from around the globe and has recently introduced a new product: alongside its fragrances, you can now nourish your hands with their new creams.
Licor 35 de Pastel de Nata: This is the perfect liqueur to celebrate Portuguese culture with your mother. With the characteristic flavour of the traditional custard tart (Pastel de Nata), it’s creamy and excellent for toasts on Mother’s Day. It’s the perfect gift for mums with a sweet tooth.
Discover these and other gift suggestions for one of the most extraordinary days of the year at Mar d’Estórias, on Rua Silva Lopes, No. 30, 8600-623 Lagos, Portugal.
mardestorias.com
+351 282 792 165
