subject: Gifts For Jewish Moms [print this page] Mom, is there anyone more formative in your life? Really, every day should be Mother's Day or at the very least International Women's Day. Since we do not honor the women who gave us life often enough, we need to make up for it by lavishing them with the royal treatment on Mother's Day. In a perfect world they would get that treatment every day but the world is imperfect. Let's talk about some ways to show mom you are thankful she brought you into this world, but first let's discuss the origins of Mother's Day.
Mother's Day has ancient roots. It typically occurs in spring when cultures gather to celebrate harvest, rebirth and fertility. Such festivals were common in ancient Rome and Greece. In the Christian tradition, Mothering Sunday, which originally celebrated the Virgin Marry, was modernized and secularized into what we now know as Mother's Day.
Just because Mother's Day has become secularized it doesn't mean we can't show off our Jewish heritage in the gifts we give to mom. After all, Judaism is passed down maternally.
If your mom is like my mother, and most Jewish mothers, she likes to cook and entertain when she is not pursuing her career. Kitchen and dining accessories make great gifts for mother's day. A decorative Seder plate that can be displayed on a shelf and be used every year makes a good gift. Or maybe mom would prefer a challah cover for those Shabbat dinners? Snoop around the kitchen and see what mom is lacking.
Another popular Jewish gift for moms is a book. A Jewish book is a good way to show mom that you know about her. Get her a Jewish book that is in tune with her interests. If she is a romantic why not go with a Jewish romance novel? Or if mom is a history buff maybe a book about the history of the Jewish people or the state of Israel. Although most people don't like getting books from mom, moms tend to enjoy receiving books. A bookstore is a good place to start your search, though for more specific titles you may need to go to a Judaica store.
Don't skimp when it comes to Mother's Day gifts. Did your mom skimp when she gave broth to you? How about when she was raising you and working? I didn't think so. Make sure you adequately illustrate just how important mom is this Mother's Day.
