Retailers estimate that 96 percent of the American population
usually participates in celebrating Mother's Day each year. As
the second-highest, gift-giving holiday, this figure translates
into more than $16 billion spent on flowers, cards, phone calls,
gifts and meals at fine restaurants. While the United States has
highly commercialized Mother's Day, at least 70 other countries
of the world also take time out to recognize and appreciate
mothers and their invaluable role in their families and society.
In France, cakes resembling flowers are given as gifts. Red
carnations, scarves and handbags are popular in Japan. Mexicans
start the day by serenading their mothers and preparing a huge
brunch. In the United Kingdom, tradition requires giving a
Simnel cake and purple violets. It seems that mothers have
always been valued and revered to some extent. During the days
of the ancient Egyptians, red roses were associated with the
goddess Isis, Mother of the Pharaohs. The Romans celebrated
Cybele or Rhea, Mother of t