Mother’s Day was established just after the 19th century, in a time when many mums worked outside their home as servants to the rich and wealthy. On the day of designation, those that worked far from home would return to their Mother-land to visit their family, and thus a holiday was born.
The modern holiday calls for celebration with those most dear. From the women who birthed us to the motherly figures that hold us in their warm embrace, our lives are blessed by the tenderness of maternal grace. In a year unlike any other, it’s more imperative than ever to celebrate the many mothers in your life with these 5 gestures of appreciation.
A Simnel Moment
Curating a confection for mum on Mother’s Day is a sweet way to express gratitude for all that she does. This Mother’s Day, bake mum a Simnel cake in the grand Anglo-Saxon tradition as a celebration of her strength and devotion.
The origins of Simnel cakes date back to the ancient era of the Romans, where “simila” bread was a common dish. “Simila”, meaning fine flour, then made its way to the island in the 11th century, where it became a staple in kitchens.
Simnel cake is a fruitcake, made from white flour, sugar, butter, eggs, fragrant spices, dried fruits, zest, and candied peel. When combined, a luscious treat is born, ideal for those looking for something sweet at the start of spring.
For your Simnel cake, you’ll need:
- 100 grams of pitted cherries (chopped)
- 500 grams of dried apricots, figs, and dates
- 175 grams of soft butter (unsalted)
- 175 grams of sugar (caster)
- zest of 1 lemon
- 225 grams of plain flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger
- 25 grams of ground almonds
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 1 tablespoon of apricot jam (melted)
To start, pull all the ingredients from the fridge as you’ll want them at room temperature. Baking is about precision, a mathematical equation that when balanced properly can lead to tantalizing results. Preheat your oven to 170°C and grease the bottom of your cake tins.
- Next cream butter and sugar until smooth, adding the lemon zest last. Measure out your flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and ground almonds into a bowl and combine until thoroughly mixed.
- Add 1 egg to the creamed butter and sugar with 2 tablespoons of the dry ingredients before beating in the remaining eggs in the same manner. Combine in the rest of the dry flour mixture and then the milk. Finally, gently fold in the fruit.
- Spoon your mixture into a cake tin and bake in your oven for half an hour before turning the temperature down to 150°C for an hour and a half. Remove from the oven and let it cool on a rack before removing from the tin.
Finish your cake with a drizzle of a melted apricot jam reduction. You can then serve this treat in the garden outside after the removal of your protective chair cover set and sectional covers.
Take Tea Time
Finding the right way to express Mother’s Day gratitude can feel like a momentous task without the right inspiration. A tea party complete with monogrammed chair covers is an excellent way to gather your loved ones and enjoy the early onset of spring weather while celebrating mum for all she does.
A variety of spring teas perfect for this time include:
- Green Tea captures the freshness of spring with an earthy quality. Add a sprig of mint for an extra hint of flare.
- Rose tea has strong aromatic qualities, smelling exactly like its namesake with the added health benefits of rich antioxidants and anti-aging properties.
- Berry teas add a spritz of fruity delight to your tea party. These teas boast hints of their original fruit and add a supple elegance to any spring tea party.
- If black tea is good enough for the queen, then it’s certainly good enough for your mum on Mothering Sunday. Serve with biscuits for the full experience.
Tea time on Mother’s Day can come with the promise of gifts for mum, be it a new tea set or a custom outdoor dining set cover. But don’t forget: the gesture of spending time with her is the most beloved gift of all.
The Power of Flowers
It’s an undeniable fact of life that mums love flowers. Roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums are three of the most widely available flowers to find for mum on Mother’s Day, and each hold their own special meaning when gifted to the most important women in our lives.
- Roses are a symbol of a mother’s undying love, making them an especially meaningful gift when presented by children as recognition of all her hard work.
- Carnations represent the virtue of motherhood, sturdy and long-lasting in their enduring spirit. Gifting mum table/chair covers emblazoned with a carnation graphic will remind her of your appreciation all year long.
- Chrysanthemums are a sturdy flower, mirroring the matriarch’s role in the familial unit as the strong matron of compassion.
Alternatively, you can surprise Mum with a flower gardening project. Spring is a season that blossoms with new life, making it the perfect time to bring mum’s barren garden beds back to life with fresh bulbs for Mother’s Day.
Photo Finish
Handmade cards are a kind enough gesture for mum on her special day, but what if you took that sentiment and turned it up to eleven?
Take mum on a trip down memory lane with a slideshow of family photos that highlight just how much she means to you and your family. These photos should span her entire life, encompassing the many journeys she’s taken. Include some of her favourite songs for a perfect soundtrack for the occasion.
Want to take it one step further? Pitch a tarpaulin in your backyard and project the slideshow onto the canvas. A homemade projection screen is a breeze to assemble with the help of custom tarps.
Measure the surface area that’s big enough to project onto, being sure to add 3-4 extra meters when shopping for the perfect custom tarps. Next, hang your tarp with precision so that the surface is flat without wrinkles.
The Other Mothers
As you think about your own mother, let that love extend to those around you. In the spirit of the holiday, think about any other women that might’ve played a crucial role in your development or that of your children. Whether it be a neighbor, current or previous babysitters you’ve kept in touch with, or the kindred kindergarten teacher still going strong at your primary school – these women deserve a touch of kindness on Mothering Sunday.
A care package assembled of all aforementioned items can brighten the spirit of the many mothers in your life.
- A Simnel cupcake, baked in a small tin or mason jar.
- A handwritten card with sentiments expressing gratitude for their impact on your life.
- A bouquet of flowers, assembled by hand and tied together with twine.
- A collection of tea leaves curated by you at a local tea shop.
- All tastefully assembled in a wicker basket.
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