Mothering Sunday is always the fourth Sunday of Lent and has been since at least the 16th century.  This is why Mothers Day in the UK falls on different dates each year and sometimes even falls in different months.

In days gone by, young British children that worked as maids and servants were only allowed one day to visit their family each year and this was usually Mothering Sunday.   They would often be allowed to take a gift for their mothers of fresh eggs and baking.  The children would also collect wild flowers as they were making their way home. 

The old English Mothering Sunday has its roots in pre-Christian times, but modern-day Mother's Day - the cards, flowers, chocolates etc - was started in the United States. 

In modern times it is inevitable that businesses see the day as a way to make money.  However, many mothers would be happier with a homemade card because it shows some thought and effort has been put into it.

No one objects to spoiling their mother on her special day but there are other ways to do it rather than buying expensive flowers and chocolates.  With the credit crunch biting hard, here are some ideas:-

• Home cooked meal instead of restaurant meal
• A lie in and breakfast in bed.
• Offer to do the cleaning/ironing while she puts her feet up and reads a good book or has a leisurely soak in the bath.
• Basket of fruit.
• A letter or poem telling your mother why she is loved
• Home made chocolates/cakes/biscuits instead of buying expensive shop bought.  If you want to make these extra special you could present them in decorated box. 

 We have included a cheap and easy recipe for “Credit Crunchies” which children can make for their mums…..with a little adult supervision of course.

Warning! You may find that these “Crunchies” disappear very quickly and may not even reach mum!!

Credit Crunchies

• 75g white chocolate, or milk chocolate
• 2 tbsp golden syrup
• 30g Rice crispies

Method

Melt the chocolate with the golden syrup in a large bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Add the crispies and gently stir in.

Spoon into mini bun cases and put into the fridge for 30 minutes to set.