Mother’s Day in Spain is always celebrated on the first Sunday of May. That means the date changes every year, which explains why it can catch people out.
It has not always been like that. Up until the 1960s, it was marked on 8 December, the same day as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
That changed in 1965, when the celebration was moved to May. The idea was to link it with the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who plays a big role in Spanish religious tradition.
So while it feels like a modern family day, it actually has fairly strong roots in the church.
It goes back much further
Long before that, the idea of celebrating mothers was already around.
In ancient Greece, people honoured Rhea, the mother of the gods. The Romans had their own version with a festival called Hilaria, dedicated to the goddess Cybele.
Even back then, flowers were part of the celebrations, which explains why they are still the go-to gift today.
Mother’s Day Spain: Why flowers are everywhere
If you have ever walked past a florist on the Costa Blanca in early May, you will have noticed the queues.
Flowers have been linked to motherhood for centuries. They symbolise life, care and something that needs attention to grow, which makes them a fairly fitting gift.
It is also a simple option when you are not quite sure what else to buy, which probably helps.
How it is celebrated now
These days, Mother’s Day in Spain is less about religion and more about family.
It is usually a mix of:
- A meal out or a family lunch at home
- Cards and small gifts
- Plenty of flowers
- The odd phone call from relatives who live abroad and suddenly remember the date
It is not a public holiday, so shops and businesses stay open, but it is still one of the more widely celebrated dates in the calendar.
