Mother’s Day, also known in some places as Mothering Sunday, is a special time each year to honour and appreciate mothers and those who play a motherly role in our lives. These figures can include grandmothers, aunties, older sisters, carers, guardians, and others who provide love, care, and support. Celebrated in more than 40 countries, Mother’s Day brings families together through a wide variety of customs and heartfelt traditions from all over the world.

Here are 10 different ways Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world, highlighting the diversity of traditions across cultures:

• China 🇨🇳

  • When: Second Sunday in May (same as many Western countries)

  • Tradition:
    Mother’s Day (母亲节) is not a traditional Chinese festival, but it has grown in popularity, especially in urban areas. Children often give flowers (especially carnations or lilies), write heartfelt messages, or treat their mothers to meals or gifts.

  In recent years, there has also been a growing cultural blend — for example:

  • Schools may organize Mother’s Day card-making or writing activities.

  • Online and in-store promotions boom around this time, with special sales targeting Mother’s Day gifts.

  • Some people connect it with traditional values of filial piety (孝顺), emphasizing respect and gratitude toward parents.

• Middle Eastern Countries (e.g., Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia)

  • When: March 21 (the first day of spring)

  • Tradition:
    Mother’s Day in much of the Arab world was introduced by Egyptian journalist Mustafa Amin in the 1950s and has since become widely adopted across the region.

    Common customs include:

    • Giving mothers flowers, heartfelt cards, and thoughtful gifts

    • Children (young and adult) expressing appreciation through poetry, songs, or visits

    • Radio and TV programs often feature special Mother’s Day segments

    • Schools and communities may host celebrations to honour mothers

    • Public and commercial spaces promote the day with special offers and tributes

  Though it’s a modern holiday, it aligns well with Islamic and cultural values of honouring one’s parents, particularly mothers — which is emphasized in the Quran and Hadith.

• Japan 🇯🇵

  • When: Second Sunday in May

  • Tradition: Children often draw pictures of their mothers and give red or pink carnations as symbols of love and gratitude. Homemade gifts and food are common too.

• Ethiopia 🇪🇹

  • When: During the Antrosht festival (usually in autumn, after the rainy season)

  • Tradition: Families gather for a multi-day feast. Daughters bring vegetables and cheese; sons bring meat. Singing, dancing, and storytelling are key parts of the celebration.

• Mexico 🇲🇽

  • When: May 10 (fixed date)

  • Tradition: Known as Día de las Madres, it includes music, church services, and family meals. Children often serenade their mothers with the song “Las Mañanitas” early in the morning.

• Thailand 🇹🇭

  • When: August 12 (the birthday of Queen Sirikit)

  • Tradition: Celebrations include ceremonies, candlelight processions, and giving jasmine flowers, a symbol of maternal love and purity.

• India 🇮🇳

  • When: Second Sunday in May (Western-style observance)

  • Tradition: While modern Mother’s Day is gaining popularity in urban areas, many Indian families also honour mothers during Hindu festivals like Durga Puja, which celebrates divine motherhood.

• France 🇫🇷

  • When: Last Sunday of May (or first Sunday of June if Pentecost falls on the same day)

  • Tradition: Children often give their mothers handmade gifts, flowers, and recite poems. Family meals are a central part of the day.

• Nigeria 🇳🇬

  • When: Fourth Sunday in Lent (similar to UK’s Mothering Sunday)

  • Tradition: In Christian communities, special church services are held. Gifts, food, and heartfelt messages are shared among families.

The Story of Mother’s Day in Australia

Australia’s first official Mother’s Day was marked in 1924, thanks to Janet Heyden, a compassionate woman from Sydney. While visiting a friend at Newington State Hospital, she noticed many older women who were lonely and without family. Some had lost loved ones during World War I, while others never had the chance to build families of their own. Moved by their stories, Janet organised for schools and local businesses to donate small gifts to these women.

This thoughtful gesture grew into an annual tradition. Over time, giving cards, flowers, and gifts became part of how Australians show gratitude to mums and mother figures. Today, Mother’s Day is not just about biological mothers—it’s about appreciating anyone who has nurtured, supported, or guided us like a mother would.

Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day in 2025

There are many meaningful ways to show your appreciation to the maternal figures in your life. Here are some simple and thoughtful ideas:

Bring your mum or mother figure breakfast in bed.

Craft handmade paper daffodils to brighten her day.

Organise a meal or picnic with her favourite foods.

Make or buy a heartfelt card and a small gift.

Spend quality time together—bake, watch a movie, or enjoy a game.

Remember, Mother’s Day is also a wonderful time to honour stepmums, mothers-in-law, grandmothers, and any caring individual who has offered motherly support. Whether through small acts of kindness or heartfelt conversations, it’s a chance to say “thank you” to those who make a difference in our lives.

Summer may be officially over, but autumn brings its own magic — golden sunshine, crisp air, and vibrant leaves. It’s the perfect time to rug up, head outside, and explore the city’s most scenic strolls.

Carlton Gardens

As autumn sets in, the Royal Exhibition Building is framed by a canopy of warm-toned leaves. Visit at sunset for a rose-gold glow and stop by the Hochgurtel Fountain — a peaceful place to pause, whatever the weather. Afterwards, take a short walk to nearby Lygon Street for a cosy Italian meal or coffee.

Fitzroy Gardens

Tucked on the edge of the CBD, Fitzroy Gardens offers a tranquil escape with tree-lined paths and ornamental ponds that glisten under autumn light. Wander through fern gully and under avenues of elms before grabbing a feel-good coffee at KereKere Green.

Treasury Gardens

This serene park contrasts evergreen conifers with golden oak leaves drifting to the ground. It’s a great place to unwind or people-watch — especially near the Parliament precinct. As night falls, keep an eye out for the resident possums that come out to play.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

A must for any nature lover, the Royal Botanic Gardens explode with autumn colour. Meander through groves of deciduous trees, crunch through piles of fallen leaves, and loop around the ornamental lake for ever-changing views. Don’t miss the arid garden and the dramatic contours of Guilfoyle’s Volcano.

Melbourne is world-famous for its street art, and beyond the tourist hotspots lie tucked-away laneways full of bold colour, creativity, and cultural expression. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local looking to rediscover the city, these hidden gems are perfect for your next self-guided street art adventure.

1. Drewery Alley

Step into an urban shrine at the end of Drewery Alley, where artist Jaz Mishap’s towering mural commands attention. Painted in his signature vibrant style, the surreal figure pulls down a mask to reveal a face divided in two — a striking, mystical piece worth a lingering gaze.

2. Mornane Place

Tucked behind Grossi, Mornane Place offers a portal to Europe through Micah Nagle’s dreamy mural of Venice. Known for his eclectic style, Nagle also hides whimsical pieces nearby — keep your eyes peeled for sword-wielding kittens and tributes to David Bowie.

3. Hosier Lane

Melbourne’s most iconic laneway is a constantly evolving canvas. Beloved by street photographers, Hosier Lane is a chaotic blend of new and old works. Look up to spot Adnate’s jaw-dropping 23-metre-high mural — a hyper-realistic portrait that towers above the cobblestones.

4. Meyers Place

Once home to the bar that helped ignite Melbourne’s laneway culture, Meyers Place is now a lush escape thanks to the Green Your Laneway initiative. Among the greenery, you’ll find a mural by Mike Makatron — a vivid urban jungle blending nature and city life. Afterwards, refuel with cocktails or a NYC-style slice at Pizza Pizza Pizza.

5. Blender Lane

Just steps from Queen Victoria Market, Blender Lane is a chaotic, colourful explosion of creativity. This unmarked laneway was the original home of Blender Studios, a pioneer in Melbourne’s street art scene. Walls are covered in layers of tags, stencils, paste-ups and graffiti — no inch left untouched. Want to dive deeper? The artists here also offer street art tours and workshops.