By Aunindita Bhatia

The celebration for mother, or ‘La festa della mamma’ takes place in Italy in May. It is said to have its origins in ancient Greece or ancient Rome, when a celebration would to be held in May in honor of Cybele, the goddess of fertility.

Mother’s Day in Italy is celebrated like in most of the rest of Europe, on the second Sunday of the month of May. Breakfast in bed is an Italian Mother’s Day tradition. It is customary for the children and the father to wake up early in the morning on that day and quietly prepare breakfast for mother, who will wake up to find the breakfast by her bedside, along with a nice bunch of fresh roses that the father would have purchased in secrecy.

It is also customary for smaller children to prepare hand-made gifts, drawings or cards to give to their mom. Nothing is nicer for mothers in Italy than receiving a handmade gift made from the heart by their children and mothers day flowers carefully selected by their husbands. The day would then continue at a very relaxed pace as no household chores are allowed for mother to take care of on Mother’s day.

Let’s face it, Italians like to celebrate everything in grandeur, and this occasion is no exception. In Italy, tradition says that during Mother’s day, all the family should make the mother feel like a queen and it is customary to present her with a special mothers day gift to thank her for the support and love she always gives.

Lunch is another special event and is usually celebrated by the extended family including grandparents, aunts and uncles to celebrate the important role of the mother, who brings the family together. This lunch may be either organized at a nice restaurant, or at home. Since the month of May in Italy brings lots of sunshine and warmth, lunch may also be served on the veranda, and would last until late in the afternoon.

It is not uncommon in Italy to hear someone call out to his mother, saying that she is the best mother in the world!

“Auguri, mamma!”