'Every day is Mother's Day'

So say students of the UAE, who nonetheless celebrated the day on March 21. They take time out to tell Fatma Salem what a mother means to them.

Motherhood is the greatest blessing on earth. Motherhood is a symbol of kindness, forgiveness and unconditional love. A mother's touch is the first human touch in a child's life. A mother's heart is filled with untiring love for her children. She lives and dies for them and she's the source of love and protection.

Mother's Day is celebrated worldwide to honour all mothers and express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up a child. It is for the unconditional love and care they give their children, long after the child has become an adult and has become old enough to look after himself.

Although various countries celebrate the day on various dates, in the UAE it falls on March 21.

This year Notes took the opportunity to give students a chance to express their love for their mothers and to tell us how they define the unique qualities of a mother.

Over to the students

- Nader Ramadan, Palestinian, 22, Final year student of accounting and finance at the American University of Sharjah.
"I am always prepared to celebrate such a precious occasion with my mum and family. We try to make it a very special and pleasant occasion. Since I'm still a student my gift is subject to my modest budget.

"However, that doesn't mean I don't buy her something she likes. For instance, flowers and perfumes interest her so much, so I make sure that I get her the latest perfume along with a very well-presented bunch of fresh flowers that she loves.

"We as a family, and I as an individual, make sure to please my mum and indulge her with nice gifts every now and then. I mean whenever I go shopping and find something suitable I get it for her — and not just on Mother's Day. However, I double my efforts and let my mum know how precious she is to me on Mother's Day."

- Fidaa Al Salamin, Palestinian, 22 , Graduated in electrical engineering from the American University of Sharjah
"I would like to correct the concept of the occasion according to my view. Attention and respect should be paid to mums all over the world every day; we shouldn't limit [the recognition] of her unconditional love to us to just one day. That would be so unfair to her.

"However, Mother's Day has extra meaning to me because it coincides with the actual birthday of my mother. That's why my family and I have an extra special interest in the day.

"Regarding gifts ... usually my sister and I save enough to buy her something for the house. She prefers it to the kind of gifts that are usually given on such an occasion."

- Asma Haq, Pakistani, 22, student of chemical engineering, American University of Sharjah
"Every day is Mother's Day and I make sure I let my mother know how much she means to me by obeying her, respecting her and making sure I don't upset her.
"I don't ignore or forget her for the whole year and then mark my calendar to remind myself that oh, today is Mother's Day.

"I buy her whatever she needs and surprise her with gifts anytime of the year. I don't save my expressions of love and wait for a particular day that is globally identified as 'Mother's Day'!

"Her position in my heart is much bigger than all that. The love of 12 months cannot be packed into just one day, so that when the day is over I wave her goodbye and tell her 'see you next year on the same day'.

"She's always in my mind and whenever I go shopping and glimpse anything she likes I pick it up for her. She's my mum, we have no barriers. She's my soul's mirror. She understands what I want to say even before I spell it out in words."

- Mohammad Babba, Nigerian, 22 , student of accounting and management information system (MIS), American University of Sharjah
"Mother's Day is a day of appreciation and gratitude and since I'm currently away from her I call her and wish her on the day. I tell her how much she means to me and that I'm nothing without her.

"I also send her a bunch of flowers to make her feel happy and to show her how much I care about her.

"I buy gifts for my mother all the time; I don't just wait for Mother's Day. She's my mother; I try to please her all the time."

- Rami Al Otaibi, Jordanian, 18 , architecture student, American University of Sharjah.
"First of all, Mother's Day is a very special day not just for me but for the whole world. I take this opportunity to wish my mother and mothers all over the world a very happy and special day and I wish them all the best.

"I usually buy her gifts except for this year because I'm away from her. And that's not an excuse. However, I intend to surprise her with a bunch of fresh flowers of the type and colour that she prefers. I'm going to make the order over the internet."

- Niveen Ali and Harsha Sharma, students of architecture, American University of Sharjah.
"Overall the day is meant to reflect the care and respect and attention that mothers all over the world deserve," they said. However, both believe the role of a mother cannot be curtailed to one particular day of the year. Rather a mother must get the attention, love and respect of her children every day and the mutual love that exists between mothers and their children must always be expressed."

A little history

Although Mother's Day dates back centuries to the ancient Greeks, it was largely due to the efforts of Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis of the US that a day came to be dedicated to all mothers.

In 1907, Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948), a Philadelphia schoolteacher, began a movement to set up a national Mother's Day in honour of her mother, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis, who rallied women to fight for better sanitary conditions through a call for Mother's Work Days. Her daughter Anna solicited the help of hundreds of legislators and prominent businessmen to help set aside a day to honour all mothers. On the occasion Anna handed out her mother's favourite flowers – white carnations – as they represent sweetness, purity and patience.

On May 8, 1914, US President Woodrow Wilson announced the second Sunday in May as a national holiday in the US in honour of mothers. Since then Mother's Day has grown in popularity around the world.

What to buy, where to celebrate?

Personal stylist at Boutique 1 gives tips on the kind of gifts you can get for your mother to make her day extra special

"Listen closely to hints she might drop. Selecting a gift to show your mother just how much you treasure her is very personal. It depends on what you know your mother would appreciate and what you feel expresses your love to her the most.

"There is nothing that is too expensive or too insignificant. It can be anything starting from a specially-made piece of jewellery, a handbag, a day at the spa, a shopping spree, a trip to a dream destination to a handmade card, a flower, taking her out for lunch, or a gesture as simple as a hug and a kiss. No matter what you decide to bring your mother on her day, a well-thought gift coming from the heart is the best way to go about it. She will certainly be thrilled to receive any gift that you have personally selected."

"For ideas from the latest trends ... you can pick a bag from Mulberry, bangles or a belt from Chloe, a make up kit from Chantecaille, a clutch from Stella McCartney, a scarf from Dianora Salviati, accessories from Lara Bohinc, scented candles from D.L. & Co or a little heart shaped Luella purse, a dress from Elie Saab, an abaya from Ghali."

"If you can't decide what to pick, why not plan a day to spend quality time together and she can select what she desires. Couple this with an appointment for personal styling. Reserve lunch at her favourite restaurant and then finish it off with a spa treatment. Now that is a Mother's Day treat any mother would love to receive."

Are there any specific places to head to and celebrate the occasion?

"Anywhere ... it can be at the Burj, a stroll in the park or at home baking her favourite dessert. As long as you spend precious time with her on her day it doesn't matter where you decide to celebrate!

"You just need to focus on the moment and treasure the quality time with her, doing what she likes to do the most; that is spending more time with her."