Mother’s day 2019: When is it and what are the best deals?

The secular tradition of Mother's Day has been observed for more than a century

(Getty Images)

With Mother's Day fast approaching, you'll already be able to spot people frantically rushing from store to store trying to find the perfect gift for their mother.

While the annual celebration is widely regarded as a consumer-driven event, it didn't start off that way when it was created in the early 20th century.

This year, the secular occasion of Mother's Day coincides with Mothering Sunday.

Mothering Sunday is a religious observance that's been commemorated for hundreds of years.

From the date, the best deals and differences between traditions around the world, here's everything you need to know about Mother's Day:

When is it?

Mother's Day falls on Sunday 31 March in the UK this year.

The occasion was first marked in 1908, when an American woman called Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia.

Mothering Sunday, a religious holiday that is celebrated by Catholic and Protestant Christians in some parts of Europe, falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent three weeks before Easter Sunday.

In some parts of the world such as Afghanistan, Russia, Vietnam and Belarus, Mother’s Day coincides with International Women’s Day on 8 March every year.

How is it celebrated?

For many people across the globe, Mother’s Day is associated with the Virgin Mary and observed as a religious holiday, with some holding shrines and prayer services in churches in her honour.

Janet Heyden, a woman from Leichhardt, Sydney, became the first person in Australia to give out gifts on Mother’s Day in 1924 when she handed out presents to mothers who were being treated at the Newington State Home for Women.

Around the 16th Century, it was common practice for Christians in the United Kingdom to reunite with their mothers on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent.

This tradition has since evolved into the more secular and consumer-driven Mother’s Day that we know today.

This is ironic, considering the fact that Jarvis specifically said she never intended Mother's Day to become commercialised.

"I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit," the founder said.

What are the best deals?

Fancy flowers

You can’t go wrong with a gift of flowers, especially on Mother’s Day.

However, you could take this floral gift a step further by pairing a bouquet of flowers with a delicious box of chocolates.

For a limited time only, Marks & Spencer is offering a free box of chocolates with selected purchases of Mother’s Day flowers, in addition to free delivery.

For more Mother's Day bouquets to choose from, click here.

The best of beauty

Show your mother how well you know her by picking a selection of her favourite beauty products for a thoughtful gift bundle.

Debenhams is currently offering a selection of beauty products that have been discounted by up to £10.

Take your pick from brands including Clinique, ​Lancôme, Dior and more.

To take a look at more Mother's Day beauty gift ideas, click here.

Sit back and relax

Treat your mother to a spa day for you to enjoy as well (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Spa day for two? Need we say more?

Everyone loves a pamper, especially when you’ve managed to bag a sweet bargain in the process.

Buyagift is offering a 50 per cent discount on a two-for-one spa day for two from your choice of 150 locations across the UK.

For more presents ideal for treating the "queen" of your life on Mother's Day, click here.

Go wild

Take a trip down memory lane by taking your mum to the zoo.

This Mother’s Day weekend, Twycross Zoo is admitting mothers for free when they visit with a full-priced child.

The zoo is also offering a special afternoon tea for Mother's Day, from 1pm on Saturday 30 March and Sunday 31 March.

Tickets include entry to the zoo and cost £25 for mothers, £30 for adults (£25 for Twycross Zoo members) and £20 for children (£15 for Twycross Zoo members). Tickets for children under the age of two are free.

Pizza party

What better way to show your love for your mum than with a table full of food?

Pizza Express is offering three courses from £18.95 to £20.95 this Mother’s Day, with a complimentary glass of Prosecco for every wonderful mother being treated by her family.

Italian food, bubbly, great company… what more could you want?

Become a chocolatier

You’re in for a tasty time with this luxury chocolate making workshop for two, available on Virgin Experience Days.

The workshop, which has been reduced from £160 to half the price at £80, will give you and your mum the opportunity to learn how to make cocktails, make your own flavoured giant chocolate button and decorate fresh homemade fudge.

With a glass of chilled Prosecco offered on arrival, it sounds like the ideal activity to us.

For more Mother's Day chocolate treats, click here.

Creative cards

A thoughtful card an a bouquet of flowers can go a long way (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Brighten your mother’s day with a thoughtful, fun card inscribed with a loving message.

This Mother's day, Moonpig is offering a free card with every purchase of a bouquet of flowers.

Plus, large and giant cards are currently on sale on the site with a 25 per cent discount, when you use the code HAVE25OFF during checkout.

For some creative personalised gift ideas, click here.