The Mother's Day in Venezuela is one of the special and emotional dates for all families.
Each second Sunday in Maythe Venezuelan households are filled with gestures of affection and gratitude towards mothers, who are the fundamental pillar of every family.
It is a day dedicated to recognize all the effort, love and dedication that they provide, and in which there is no lack of the family gatherings, gifts and surprises.
For those of us who live outside of Venezuela, although we are far away, we are still looking for the way to to keep our traditions alive.
We take advantage of technology to make video calls or send special messages, and in many cases, we also have to adapt to the customs of the country in which we live.
Do you want to know how to celebrate Mother's Day in Venezuela, What makes it so unique and some tips to help you keep our customs alive when you're away? Read on!
Roots and evolution: Mother's Day in Venezuela
The Mother's Day has roots that go back to the seniority. In the Greek and Roman civilizationsIn the past, the goddesses who represented the fertility and childbearingas Rea y Cibeles.
These festivities were a form of to pay tribute to the capacity to give lifea central aspect for these cultures.
However, the Mother's Dayas we know it today, began to gain momentum in the twentieth century.
It was in United States where the activist Anne Marie Jarvis launched a campaign to honor his mother and to all mothers for the fundamental role they play in society.
At 1908organized the first celebration in honor of his motherbut it was not until 1914 that this initiative achieved a significant national scale.
That year, the U.S. President Woodrow Wilsonnext to the Congressofficially approved the creation of the Mother's Day.
It was decided that the date would be held on second Sunday in Maya tradition that has been maintained to this day in many countries, including Venezuela and others Latin American countries like Ecuador.
On the other hand, in several countries in Europe, such as Spain and Portugal, Mother's Day is celebrated on is held on first Sunday in May.
Although the dates differ, the meaning remains the same: to recognize and honor the love, dedication and commitment of mothers to their children and families.
This day has grown so much in importance in recent years that, regardless of geographic location, we all share the same desire to thank and celebrate those women who are the heart of our lives.
Traditions and customs on this special date
The Mother's Day in Venezuela is full of traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Each second Sunday in Maythe Venezuelan families meet to render tribute to mothers, and this day is a reflection of the value they have within the home and society.
Celebration
The celebrations are usually warm and familiaralways with lots of love and, of course, good food.
One of the most common habits in Venezuela is for children, especially young children, to prepare handmade cards for their mothers. In many schools, the previous days are dedicated to make crafts or presentations in honor of their moms.
It is also common for surprise breakfasts to be organized at home or for the children to be in charge of cooking that day, giving mothers a well-deserved break.
As for the typical gift of the Mother's Day in Venezuela, is usually something special and customized. The flowers are always present, especially the roseswhich symbolize affection and admiration.
The important thing is not so much the material value of the gift, but rather the gesture of being thankful for all that mothers do on a daily basis.
Typical food
Another key aspect of the celebration is the food. In many Venezuelan householdsthe lunch of the Mother's Day is a central event.
Typical dishes as the creole flag (shredded meat, rice, black beans and slices) or the hallacas (although this one, along with the previous one, is more of a Venezuelan Christmas dish) can be part of the daily menu.
Some families prefer to organize a barbecue or a large meal at home for everyone to share around the table.
Tips for celebrating Mother's Day living outside Venezuela
Living far away from our mother, especially on a date as special as Christmas Eve, is a Mother's Daycan be difficult.
However, thanks to the technology and a little creativity, it is possible to make this day remain meaningful, even from a distance.
Here we leave you some tips to celebrate and show your love, even if you are far from Venezuela.
Organize a surprise video call
If you can't physically be with your mother, a video call is the best way to bridge the gap. Gather your siblings, cousins or other relatives and arrange a time to surprise her.
Take this opportunity to share stories and laughs. The important thing is that they feel your affection, even if it is through a screen.
Send a gift to Venezuela
When we are far away from our mothers, especially on dates as relevant as the Mother's DayIt is important to find ways to make them feel that we are still present in their lives.
One of the ways is sending them money so they can celebrate this day in their own way and enjoy something special.
This becomes a gesture of affection that, although we cannot physically be with them, allows us to shorten the distance in a significant way.
At Curiara you can send money to Venezuela in the form of and fast. Through our app, available at Google Play as in the App StoreYou will be able to receive the money in a simple way and use it to buy whatever you want or need.
Whether it's to prepare a special lunch, buy a gift, or just treat yourself, that money we send them is a great help. more than an economic transactionIt is a tangible way to make them feel that we are thinking about them.
Create a digital photo album
If you want to do something more emotional, create a digital photo album or a video compiling special moments you have lived with your mother. You can include old photos, videos or messages of other family members.
Applications such as Google Photos o Canva allow you to put together presentations in a simple way and share them with her easily. It is a detail that will fill her with nostalgia and joy.
Write a letter or a special message
Although it may seem simple, write a letter or message full of love and gratitude can be very significant. Sometimes, expressing ourselves in writing allows us to say everything we feel, but which, in person, we do not always say.
If you prefer, you can record a voice or video message where you tell her how much she means to you. This intimate gesture will touch her deeply.
Plan a joint activity at a distance
If you want to do something more interactive, organize an activity that you can do together despite the distance.
They can cook the same platesuch as the Venezuelan forumwhile on a video call. Or even watch a favorite movie or program at the same time. The idea is to create a special moment that allows you to feel connected.
Prepare a celebration for when they meet
If the Mother's Day you are far away from your mother, but you are lucky enough to be able to visit her soon, an excellent option is to organize an celebration in advance or even delayed.
Sometimes, we can't be there on the exact day, but that doesn't mean we can't give it a special touch when we finally meet again.
The important thing is not the date, but the occasion you create for sharing and celebrate that unique bond they have.
To start, you can plan a day dedicated entirely to her. Think about the things that make your mother happy, perhaps a home-cooked meal with her favorite dishes, an outdoor outingor simply a quiet afternoon sharing anecdotes and laughter.
The bottom line is that the day should be focused on making her feel special and appreciated. Even if it's not exactly the second Sunday in MayWhat really counts is the quality time you will spend together.
Involve other family members or friends
If you have any family member or friend who may be close to your motherAsk him to bring her a gift from you.
It can be a card, a special meal or just a hug. on your behalf. This will make your mother feel the support of those around her and that, even if you are not physically present, your love is always with her.
As we can see, even though we are far away, we can still celebrate the Mother's Day from a distance, keeping traditions alive and, above all, the affection and gratitude that we always want to express on such a special day.
The important thing is to make our mothers feel that they are always in our hearts, no matter the distance!