(Pic: Mother’s Day Walk)

Britons, on average, spend £23.75 on Mother’s day reaching over £600 million, but does your Mum appreciate what you do? George Timberlake reports

30 million cards have been sent out across to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, March 11, and according to the Flowers & Plants Association, Mother’s Day is the biggest event in the UK’s cut flower and indoor plant industry. At this time of year, the UK’s sales of cut flowers and indoor plants increase by an average of 40% on a normal day’s trading. It’s no wonder then that the average Londoner spends on average £87 on their Mother for the big day.

But the tradition of Mother’s day wasn’t all presents or money, it was a religious practice originating from the 16th Century. Practising Christians would make an annual visit to their mother’s church, which meant that most mothers would be reunited with their children on this day. Many used to pick flowers from the verges along the way to leave in the church or hand to their mothers when they got home. Later, it was then changed to once a year where servants were allowed to visit their families.

1/3 of the public said their Mother was the most inspirational person in their life. This is proved as we spend more on Mum than Dad (sorry Dads!) Father’s Day only started to be celebrated in the UK after World War II. In 2015 £360 million was spent on Father’s Day compared to a massive £530 million spent on Mothers.

As I sit on a train going home to surprise my mum, (after being guilt-tripped by a phone call stating she was going to be alone,) I wonder… is the £30 train fare, bunch of flowers and my presence really appreciated that much on such a commercial day?