Mother’s Day is all about being together 
If transport is a challenge, we’re here to help make the day simple and stress-free.
A Little Tip: Mother’s Day is one of our busiest days of the year. It’s a good idea to book ahead to make sure your local Freedom Driver will be there for you. Call 0800 956 956 or visit www.freedomdrivers.co.nz.
Tip #2: Stuck for the right Mother’s Day gift? Give your Mum or Gran the gift of companionship and travel with a Freedom Gift Certificate.
A Little History of Mother’s Day
The modern version of Mother’s Day began in the United States, thanks largely to Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honour her own mother and recognise the love, care and sacrifice of mothers everywhere. The first Mother’s Day church service was held on 10 May 1908, and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday in the United States.
Interestingly, the idea of honouring mothers is much older than that. In the United Kingdom, Mothering Sunday began as a Christian tradition connected with returning to one’s “mother church”, later becoming a day when families gathered and children gave flowers or small gifts to their mothers. Over time, that tradition blended with the American Mother’s Day we recognise today.
When is Mother’s Day celebrated around the world?
Mother’s Day is now celebrated in many countries around the world, although not always on the same date. New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada generally celebrate it on the second Sunday in May, while the United Kingdom celebrates Mothering Sunday earlier in the year, during Lent.
In New Zealand, the best Mother’s Day celebrations are often the simplest. A family lunch, a drive to the beach, a visit to a favourite café, a bunch of flowers, a handmade card, or just taking the time to sit, talk and listen can mean more than any expensive gift.
How Freedom can help you make Mum’s day
For older mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures who may no longer drive or who find it harder to get out and about, Mother’s Day can also be a lovely opportunity to help them reconnect with the people and places they love. That might mean arranging transport to a family gathering, taking them to church, visiting a garden centre, enjoying a scenic drive or simply spending unhurried time together.
At its heart, Mother’s Day is not about commercial gifts. In fact, Anna Jarvis herself later became concerned that the day had become too commercial. Its original purpose was much more personal: to say thank you, to show love, and to recognise the women who have cared for us in ways large and small.
This Mother’s Day, perhaps the best gift is not just something bought, but something shared: time, kindness, memories, and appreciation.
