“Traditionally, the colors of the flower carry different meanings on Mother’s Day: white carnations honor the mother whose mother has died, while pink ones celebrate a mother whose mother is living.

” Moms and grandmothers alike can thank Philadelphia activist Anna Jarvis for the carnation tradition — and even the holiday itself. On May 10, 1908, Jarvis sent hundreds of white carnations, her late mother’s favorite flower, to her hometown church in West Virginia for a celebration honoring all mothers. That same day, she hosted a similar event in Philadelphia.

“Over the next few years, as the number of Mother’s Day celebrations across the county increased, so did the popularity of the white carnation, which came to symbolize a mother’s love. Thanks to Jarvis’ campaigning, Mother’s Day became a national holiday in 1914 under President Woodrow Wilson.” {source}

More women associated with Mother’s Day, “Mothering Sunday”, Mothers’ Day Work Clubs, Mothers’ Friendship Day, and even a fellow dubbed “the father of Mothers’ Day,” here.

Great piece of trivia: And yes, it’s Mother’s Day (singular), not Mothers’ Day (plural) because Anna Jarvis envisioned her holiday as a personal, child to mother celebration, and she abhorred the commercialization of the day, even getting arrested while protesting. {source}

Oops! You forgot to get YOUR mother something truly meaningful to honor her? Well, then, we have a solution. How about a nice solid brick? (Sorry, Anna.)