How to Celebrate Mothers Day in Belgium in 2024
Mother’s Day in Belgium in 2024 is an important holiday in Belgium as it is in many countries around the world. It is a day to honor and give thanks to mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures for their contribution to their families and society. In 2024, Mother’s Day in Belgium will fall on Sunday, May 12th.
Belgians have celebrated Mothering Sunday since the Middle Ages, when this holiday had strong Catholic religious roots. Today, Mother’s Day in Belgium is celebrated in similar secular ways as in the United States, with family gatherings, gifts, flowers, cards, and doing activities together as a family unit.
However, there are also some traditions unique to Belgium due to its culture and cuisine. In this article, we provide a complete guide on the history, traditions, events, gifts, and all the key things you need to know to celebrate Mother’s Day in Belgium in 2024 to the fullest.
Early History of Mother’s Day
The early origins of Mother’s Day stem from Greek and Roman spring festivals held to honor maternal goddesses as early as the 16th century BC. These pagan celebrations celebrated femininity, nature, and motherhood.
In the United States, Mother’s Day started with activist Ann Reeves Jarvis, who organized “Mother’s Day work clubs” to teach mothers how to properly care for their children and held educational meetings. Upon Ann Reeves Jarvis’s death, her daughter Anna Jarvis campaigned heavily for the nationwide observance of an official Mother’s Day to honor the sacrifices mothers made for their children.
In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation creating Mother’s Day as a national holiday to “publicly express our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Though the US holiday was created much more recently, Mothering Sunday has deeper roots in Belgian culture stemming from Catholic and European traditions.
The Christian holiday has morphed over time from honoring the “mother church” and Virgin Mary into showing appreciation for mothers and mother figures. Many Belgians start the day by attending mass services in honor of the Virgin Mary. Family gatherings, meals, and giving small gifts are also common Mothering Sunday traditions in Belgian culture.
Traditions and Celebrations in Belgium
Mother’s Day celebrations in Belgium often start with family members honoring their mother/grandmother with breakfast in bed or making them a meal. It is also traditional to give cards, flowers, chocolate, jewelry, perfume and small personalized gifts to show appreciation on this day.
Some popular Mother’s Day gifts and traditions found in Belgium include:
- Flowers: Roses, tulips, and carnations are commonly given flower gifts. Red or pink roses signify gratitude, white symbolizes sentimentality.
- Chocolate: Giving boxes or baskets of assorted chocolates and pralines is customary. The Belgians take chocolate seriously!
- Family Meals: Cooking a nice meal for family gatherings is part of the celebrations. Traditional dishes like asparagus, moules-frites (mussels & fries), carbonade flamande, or a Mother’s Day dessert are often served.
- Experience Gifts: Spa packages, high tea vouchers, concert tickets or weekend city trip getaways catered towards mom are also popular.
In addition to quality family time, many Belgians attend or participate in special events happening in their city for Mothering Sunday as well. For example, hotels and restaurants may host dedicated brunches, buffets, and deals. Churches could hold mass services honoring Mary. Shopping areas decorate and showcase gifts.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas in Belgium
Finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift can be challenging at times. Below we highlight some of the most popular Belgian Mother’s Day gift recommendations to make your shopping easier:
Flowers
Roses are classic but you can also give tulips, carnations, or lily flower arrangements. Pink and red shades symbolize gratitude and love. Add a vase or Belgian chocolate to make it extra special.
Chocolate & Sweets
Assorted chocolate truffles, pralines, and bonbons are always a tasty gift. Look for favorites like Neuhaus, Godiva or Leonidas. Pair it with wine or fruit baskets for a luxury basket.
Jewelry & Luxury Goods
Spoil your mother or mother figure with pearl earrings, silver bracelets, designer handbags, silk scarves, perfume, or beauty items she wouldn’t splurge on herself.
Experience Gifts
Treat mom to a relaxing spa massage, afternoon high tea, tickets to see her favorite musician in concert, a weekend city trip to Bruges, or fine dining. Experiential gifts let you enjoy quality time together.
Homemade Gifts
Crafts, photo books, personalized playlists, breakfast in bed, homemade coupons for help around the house, or artistic gifts made from the heart can be just as meaningful.
Adding a thoughtful card, her favorite treats, flowers, or gifting something on her Wishlist along with your homemade present makes it extra special.
Events and Things to Do for Mother’s Day in Belgium
In addition to quality family time and gift-giving, there are many events, activities, special dining options and mini vacation deals in Belgium over the Mother’s Day holiday weekend. Below we highlight some popular ways to celebrate:
Mother’s Day Brunches & Dining
Many fine dining restaurants and hotels put on expansive Mother’s Day Brunches. These include tasty breakfasts combined with seafood, carving stations, desserts, champagne and more. Call ahead for reservations at top spots.
Family-Friendly Activities
Check out Mother’s Day craft fairs, markets, concerts, plays or museum exhibits happening in your Belgian city. Many are free or discounted for families for the occasion.
Luxury Hotel Packages
Treat the whole family to a night or weekend away at a nice hotel or resort. Look for Mother’s Day themed packages that include discounts on dining, spas, etc. Popular destinations include Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges.
Give Back
Spend part of the day volunteering together at shelters or charities that support women and mothers in need. Working together brings families closer while helping the community.
Other Belgium Holidays Before and After Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is part of the spring holiday season in Belgium that includes other notable events like Easter celebrations, the start of spring fair and carnival season, and the national Labor Day celebrations.
Holidays Before
- Easter Week (Early April 2024): Easter is one of the biggest Christian holiday celebrations of the year in Belgium. Families gather for elaborate meals, chocolate eggs, church services, processions, and more.
Holidays After
- Father’s Day (June 16, 2024): Father’s Day celebrations in Belgium take place annually on the third Sunday of June. Family gatherings, meals, gifts and cards are given to honor fathers.
- National Day (July 21, 2024): Belgium National Day commemorates when Leopold I took the oath to become the first King of the Belgians in 1831. Fireworks, military parades, outdoor concerts and parties celebrate across all cities.
- Assumption Day (August 15, 2024): Assumption Day honors the Virgin Mary’s bodily ascension into heaven and is an official public holiday in Belgium. Religious celebrations and family gatherings take place.
While Mother’s Day takes the spotlight in mid-May, make sure to also celebrate the men and country that shape Belgian culture on Father’s Day and National Day shortly after!
Mother’s Day Around The World
While many countries import American-influenced Mother’s Day customs like gifts, cards and flowers – there are some unique traditions held elsewhere globally that Belgians can learn from:
- In Mexico, Mother’s Day is celebrated with food, drinks, music and special gatherings on May 10th to honor motherly wisdom.
- People in Ethiopia honor all women on Mother’s Day, not just mothers. Grandmothers, sisters, aunts and female friends all gather to feast in celebration.
- Mother’s Day is celebrated during Lent in the UK with specialty baked simnel cakes, flowers and family meals out.
- In Thailand, Mother’s day is held on August 12th – Queen Sirikit of Thailand’s birthday. The Thai people celebrate by gifting Jasmine flowers and doing good deeds.
No matter if the date, origins or types of gifts vary – Mother’s Day across most cultures is about gathering together with family and friends to celebrate, appreciate and honor the maternal bonds and wisdom passed down from generation to generation.
Belgium Family Travel Tips
If you are visiting Belgium from abroad for Mother’s Day or traveling somewhere in the country for a mini vacation or celebration, keep these family travel tips in mind:
Visiting Family From Abroad
- Review visa and passport requirements early. Non-EU visitors may need tourist or family visit visas.
- Research if parents qualify for long term guardian residence permits to stay with children.
- Consider getting international medical insurance for elderly parents in case of emergencies.
Family Friendly Activities
- Most stores, public transport and attractions offer family tickets, discounts or free entry for kids under 12.
- See the Musical Instruments Museum, Comic Strip Center and theme parks. Try making chocolate, riding bikes along canals.
- Rent a holiday home instead of cramped hotel rooms for multi-generational groups.
Getting Around Belgium
- Purchase a Go Pass for unlimited train travel at a fixed price over 1-10 days
- Use an all-in-one Brussels City Card for free metro, trams, and museum discounts
- Walking and biking trails connect most cities and sightseeing spots
Hopefully these Belgium family trip tips help make traveling easier as you celebrate Mother’s Day 2024!
Mother’s Day Belgium 2024 Tickets
If you are looking to attend a Mother’s Day event in Belgium in 2024 that requires tickets, I would recommend starting your search early. Many hotels, restaurants, museums, and theaters in cities like Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges put on special brunches, exhibits, concerts and more that may need advanced reservations.
Specific event tickets that often sell out fast around this popular spring holiday include chocolate-making workshops, high tea sittings, jazz shows, guest chef dining experiences, and luxury hotel package stays. I advise looking at what special events your preferred Belgian destinations are hosting for Mothering Sunday once early 2024 nears and booking any tickets 4-8 weeks in advance if possible. That way you ensure your family secures spots for the most popular happenings honoring mom.
Mother’s Day Belgium 2024 Holiday
In 2024, Mother’s Day Belgium will fall on Sunday, May 12th as the official holiday observance. While stores, public attractions, and restaurants often extend Mother’s Day deals and celebrations to the full weekend, Sunday the 12th is designated as the national public holiday devoted just to mothers and mother figures.
Belgian employees get the day off work, though certain vital services remain open of course. Most Belgian families spend this day gathered together celebrating motherhood over meals, gifts, Cards and quality time together. Attending mass church services in the morning and then visiting relatives to honor mothers and grandmothers is also a common way to spend the holiday.
Mother’s Day Belgium 2024 Events
Popular Mother’s Day events happening across Belgium in 2024 weekend include specialized brunches, flower markets, chocolate fairs, cultural exhibits, musical performances, crafting classes to make gifts for mom, and so much more in cities big and small.
Major destinations like Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent have the largest offerings, but local happenings occur nationwide. I suggest searching for “Mother’s Day Events near me in Belgium” across travel blogs and event listing platforms like Facebook as early 2024 nears for the latest updates. Securing reservations 2 months out for the most popular restaurant brunches and hotel packages is also wise.
Conclusion
As we have covered, Mother’s Day 2024 in Belgium will take place on Sunday, May 12th. While family gatherings, nice meals, flowers, cards, gifts and honoring motherhood are consistent ways Belgians celebrate – the holiday also has some unique cultural traditions.
Attending mass services, giving chocolates, cooking traditional dishes like Carbonade flamande, and partaking in city events are popular in Belgium. Their Mother’s Day holiday stems from old Mothering Sunday religious roots mixed with more modern gift-giving customs.
No matter how you choose to celebrate in Belgium, focus on spending quality time with your mother, grandmother and maternal family members. Create new memories together through experiences like dining out, weekend getaways to cities like Bruges, volunteering to help the community or simply relaxing at home and reminiscing over family photo albums. Show your gratitude and loving appreciation for everything they have done.
My name is Susanna and in addition to managing the hypeladies – Moms Gallery site; I am also a mother of 2 Children. I’ve been in a lot as a mom including money management, healthy lifestyle, different needs, parenting, 9 to 6 job, working from home, going for walks with my personal groups while raising my kids, world tour with families and much more. !!! I share all of My Experience to motivate all Moms to stay strong so that all succeed in life. Have A Nice Reading