The history of Mother’s Day is centuries old and can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians.
Early Christians initially used the day to honor their “Mother Church.” They also celebrated a “Mother’s Festival” during Lent to honor Mary, the mother of Christ.
In England, in the 1600’s, the celebration began to include real Mothers, earning the name Mothering Day. During this Lenten Sunday, servants and trade workers were allowed to travel back to their towns of origin to visit their families and came bearing cakes and flowers for Mother. Mothering Day also provided a one-day reprieve from the fasting and penance of Lent as families enjoyed a sumptuous family feast—Mother was the guest of honor.
English colonists settled in America discontinued the tradition of Mothering Sunday –perhaps due to lack of time. Another possibility, however, is that Mothering Day conflicted with their Puritan ideals.
In 1872, Julia Ward Howe, who penned The Battle Hymn of the Republic, established a landmark in the history of Mother’s Day. Howe had become so distraught by the death and carnage of the Civil War that she called on Mother’s to come together and protest the futility of their Sons killing the Sons of other Mothers. She called for an international Mother’s Day celebrating peace and motherhood.
The holiday nearly failed once Howe stopped providing the funding for the majority of these celebrations. Howe had nevertheless planted the seed that would blossom into what we know as Mother’s Day today
Anna M. Jarvis also campaigned for the creation of an official Mother’s Day in remembrance of her mother and in honor of peace. Her request was honored, and on May 10, 1908, the first official Mother’s Day celebration took place at Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia and a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Andrew’s Methodist Church exists to this day, and was incorporated into the International Mother’s Day Shrine in 1962.
In 1908, U.S. Senator from Nebraska, Elmer Burkett, proposed making Mother’s Day a national holiday at the request of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). The proposal was defeated, but by 1909 forty-six states were holding Mother’s Day services as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.
Anna Jarvis quit working and devoted herself entirely to the creation of Mother’s Day, endlessly petitioning state governments, business leaders, women groups, churches and other institutions and organizations. She finally convinced the World’s Sunday School Association, a key influence over state legislators and congress, to back her. In 1912 West Virginia became the first state to officially recognize Mother’s Day, and in 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed it into national observance, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
New York City member, L’Olivier, www.lolivier.com created a spectacular tableau in their downtown storefront location on 14th St!
Simple Monobotanic, Monochromatic arrangements of Pave Roses in White, Lavender and Hot Pink bouquets are presented in opaque designer vases and linked with Dusty Miller and Deep Purple Hydrangea arrangements by the use of elegantly draped bear grass.
These beauties rest atop a refreshing tablecloth of purple, robin’s egg blue, white and charcoal paisley.
Rounding out this unique and exciting setting are wall hangings of Pave roses inmixed pastels, framed in a shadow box style.
Platinum Weddings on Sunday, March 28 showcased Member florist Visual Impact Design, Sacramento, CA www.visualimpact-design.com featured as this fun-loving couple, Natalie & Bob who spared no expense for their $1.25 million dollar wedding!!
Shop owner Mina Bolouri – Arjan Flowers and Herbs in Piedmont, CA, www.arjanflowers.com has a nice feature in the February 12, 2010 of Bay Area News Group publication. Mina has found the perfect way to follow through on her longtime interest in art while displaying her own talents as well. Bolouri showcases the work of local artists and photographers on the walls of her shop providing a wonderful accent for her bounty of premium florals.
Mina’ shop, named after a meadow outside of her native Shiraz in Iran has coupled the peacefulness of the shop namesake with the intoxicating aroma of fresh seasonal flowers and herbs which she mostly procures from the San Francisco Flower Mart. “I think nature is beautiful and if you stay true to the season you cannot go wrong” says Bolouri.
Member Florist Geranium Lake of Portland, Oregon, www.geraniumlake.com, stepped up and made a commitment! They donated 10% of all Valentines proceeds to Mercy Corps and their mission to help Haiti.
Blooming flowers are a universal symbol of renewal, friendship, and love. What better way to double your impact on those around you AND those who seem so far away!
Thank you Geranium Lake, for showing us that a little thought can go a long way.
San Anselmo’s “green” florist Local Flora, www.marinflora.com, will provide beautiful California grown arrangements in a new small flower section at local Good Earth Natural Foods in Farifax, CA beginning Feb 10, 2010.
Why not take home a lovely artisanal arrangement to accompany your wonderful organic dinner items!
Avante Gardens in Anaheim, www.avantegardens.com posted on Floristblogs.com – Dec 15th 2009 about the inclusion in the “Google Favorite Place” campaign.
“The buzz about Google sending out Favorite Places packets with window decals to 100,000 of the “most sought out and researched businesses on Google and Google Maps” began with an announcement on the Official Google Blog. I kept crossing my fingers, hoping we’d get one. I mean… how cool to be called out as a Google Favorite Place among the millions of small businesses in the US.
Fast forward … a stack of mail looking like advertisements… and there it was, “Congratulations! You’re a Favorite Place on Google” right on the front of the envelope. (Yes, I did stroll through the shop singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”)
The decal… was placed on our front door about 5 minutes after the envelope was opened — Gotta say though, I was hoping for a bigger poster,— but we’re tickled with the one we got!
I haven’t been able to scan the window decals bar code yet and am offering a free dozen long stem roses arrangement to the first visitor who can read it with an Android or iPhone, so come on down! We’re also offer a free gift to anyone who scans the decal between now and January 31.
And a big thanks! To Google and the users who put us on the Favorite Places list.”
Congratulations to Avante Gardens on their continued success with Marketing and Business Development! All the best in 2010!!
Flowers remain one of the best and most affordable ways of celebrating Valentine’s Day. With the right ideas and flower arrangements, you really cannot go wrong! This year, Cupid’s arrow strikes on Sunday, Feb 14th. Plan ahead and the rewards will be great!
Smart Move #1: Start the weekend off with a bang and enjoy the Love Fest for more than just one day! Have your flowers delivered on Friday or Saturday this year. If you really plan it right, you might just consider calling in sick on Monday! But- you didn’t hear that from me!
Smart Move #2: Include a 2nd choice and a range of budget on your order request. This can sometimes be the key to a more efficient delivery of your floral order.
Smart Move #3: While Red Roses are thought of as the standard for reflecting your love and affection. Do not be afraid to “step outside the flower box” into the vast field of floral possibilities. Other gorgeous flowers usually available for this holiday are Amaryllis, Tulips, Cut Orchids stems, Double Cup Anthurium , in varying shades of Reds, Pinks and Whites, as well as, less traditional Valentine’s colors. With enough advance consideration, you can provide the object of your affections with an exquisite bouquet of unique quality flowers!
Smart Move #4: Consider having the floral arrangement delivered to your home or office and presenting them personally along with your own private romantic note and perhaps – a bottle of your favorite sparkling beverage or dare I say it – a promise to do the dishes for a whole month? Hey, Romance comes in various packages!
Smart Move #5: Quiet as it’s kept, many men love and appreciate flowers as much as women do! Don’t be afraid to send him a floral key to your heart!
Planning a romantic getaway? Keep in mind that bbrooks can provide high quality couture floral design service internationally as well as locally. Call us with any questions regarding your delivery request.
Visit our web site www.bbrooks.com or give us a call at 1-888-346-3356. Our Valentine’s Day experts look forwarding to assisting you with your orders!
Joanne Leiman of FlowersFlowers in Evanston, IL., www.flowers-flowers.com, provided the elegant floral decor for the second issue cover of makeitbetter magazine.
A great new magazine for the North Shore of Chicago. They have a wonderful website, full of great info and ideas, www.makeitbetter.net.
Joanne Leiman of FlowersFlowers in Evanston, IL., 
