By Caryn Deloach

Holland is the center of the international flower trade and has been since the 1950s.  So Mother’s Day or Moederdag, as it is called in Dutch, is a very busy time in Holland.  Flowers are shipped from all over the world to the Aalsmeer flower auction.  This is the largest flower marketplace.  Here flowers are bought and sold by wholesalers who then ship them all over the world in time for Mother’s Day.  Holland is also one of the largest suppliers of flowers.  Many associate Holland with beautiful tulips.  This tiny European nation became famous for these tulips in the 17^th Century, creating a tulip craze among the elite. 

With a history like this, you might think that the Dutch would be very involved in elaborate Mother’s Day celebrations.  You might imagine that every Dutch mother is presented with fresh tulips on that morning.  However, this is becoming less and less common in Holland.  The country designated an official holiday for its mothers as did many other European nations, after the United States did so in 1914.   Like the United States, Holland also deemed the second Sunday in May Mother’s Day.  At first the holiday became very popular among the Dutch middle class.  Children would wake their mothers by saying “Gelukkige Moederdag” or “Prettige Moederdag,” which means “Happy Mothers Day” in Dutch.  They would serve them a breakfast of “poffertjes” and tea in bed.  Poffertjes are tiny sweet Dutch pancakes made in a special pan, served with butter and powdered sugar.  Sometimes they would give their mothers gifts of locally made licorice or Belgian chocolates.  In addition it became customary for the father to take over the daily chores of the mother allowing her a relaxing day. 

Today however, Mother’s Day is not celebrated as commonly as it once was.  Some estimate that only 50-60 percent of children still acknowledge the day.  Those who do choose to honor their mothers typically give small presents to or spend the day with them.  However, the flower industry is trying to generate more sales and interest in the day.  Before Mother’s Day in recent years flower commercials have been airing in efforts to increase flower orders for Dutch mothers.  For the sake of  Dutch mothers, let’s hope they are successful.

“Gelukkige Moederdag!”  - “Prettige Moederdag!”