When is Mother's Day? Dates and the story behind it

Every year, someone suddenly starts to wonder: wasn't Mother's Day in April? No, it always falls in May, but the date still shifts a bit from year to year, because it follows a specific Sunday rather than a fixed number. Here's the quick answer, an overview you can save, and the story of why we celebrate mothers on this particular day in the first place.

The short answer: the second Sunday in May

Mother's Day is celebrated in Denmark on the second Sunday in May. Because May doesn't start on the same weekday every year, the date shifts along with it. The next Mother's Day from today is Sunday 9 May 2027. It's a good idea to set a reminder in your calendar a couple of weeks in advance, so you're not caught off guard on the day itself.

Dates for Mother's Day in the coming years

Below you'll find the exact dates for Mother's Day up to 2030. Handy if you're planning something well in advance, or just want to know when to call home.

The story behind Mother's Day

The idea of a day to honour mothers isn't new. It was originally launched in 1872 in the USA by Julia Ward Howe, who wanted a day where mothers' work and efforts would be recognised. Later, Anna Jarvis took up the cause and worked tirelessly to make the day a fixed, widespread tribute to mothers everywhere. Her efforts paid off when the American Congress voted in 1914 to make Mother's Day an official holiday in the USA.

Anna Jarvis also tried to make the white carnation the symbol of Mother's Day, an idea that has lived on since in many countries' celebrations of the day.

In Denmark, Mother's Day arrived in 1910, when the Baptist congregation in Rønne invited people to celebrate Moders Dag. However, it wasn't until 1929 that the tradition really took hold here and gradually became the day we know today.

How to celebrate Mother's Day

There's no fixed rulebook for how to celebrate Mother's Day. Most people keep it simple and heartfelt:

• Breakfast in bed or a shared breakfast where mum gets to skip the washing-up.
• Flowers, which are still one of the most classic gestures on the day.
• A handwritten card with a few personal words, which often means more than the gift itself.
• Just time together, a walk, a lunch or an afternoon with nothing else on the agenda.

The most important thing is usually the thought, not the scale of the plans.

If you'd like to give a gift

If you'd like to give a bit more than a card, it could be a cup mum can use every morning, for example the Mor cup in ceramic from Bloomingville, or a piece of jewellery, for example the Aventurosa necklace from Goio Galore. It doesn't have to be big, just something that shows you've put some thought into it.

If you need more ideas and concrete inspiration based on budget and taste, we've gathered it all in a dedicated guide.

Practical tips for the day

A few things can make the day easier:

• Order flowers or a gift well in advance, especially if you want something specific, as Mother's Day is one of the days when florists and webshops are extra busy.
• Always write a card alongside the gift. It's often what's remembered the longest.
• Double-check the date each year, as Mother's Day, as mentioned, moves and doesn't fall on a fixed calendar date.

Summary

Mother's Day always falls on the second Sunday in May, and the next one is Sunday 9 May 2027. The tradition dates back to 1872 in the USA and came to Denmark in 1910, where it really took off from 1929. Whether you choose breakfast, flowers or a small gift, it's the thought that counts most.

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