Although mother’s have been celebrated throughout history in various ways, the modern idea of Mother’s Day is imported from the U.S. where it was first celebrated in 1908. Mother’s day in Sweden was championed by author Cecilia Bååth-Holmberg to be the last Sunday in May when there would be flowers and greenery nearly throughout the entire country.
Mother’s day had arrived in Norway by 1918 and it migrated to Sweden by 1920 when Bååth-Holmberg provided guidelines for celebrating the day. The most important element was that all children be with their mother. In addition, the burden of housework should be alleviated, the Swedish flag should be raised, songs sung, poetry read, and prayers for forgiveness be made because a child does not always do the right thing, but there is always the promise of improvement. And, of course, coffee and cake should be served to mom in bed.
“World’s Best Mom” bakery sign
The Swedish church played a significant role in spreading the tradition of mother’s day by organizing activities for mothers and children. By the 1930s celebration of mother’s day was wide-spread throughout the country. The classic gift is a personal letter to mom, especially if you can’t be with her on mother’s day. Of course it didn’t take much time for mother’s day to become a selling point for businesses and the promotion of gifts became a focal point, much to the chagrin of the early proponents of a day that was simply intended to bring mothers together with their children.
Mamma is the Swedish equivalent to “mom” and mor is the equivalent to “mother.” Your mormor is your mother’s mother, and your farmor is your father’s mother. Of course the same kind of system applies to fathers with morfar and farfar and Fars Dag (Father’s Day) is celebrated the second Sunday in November. It’s a little confusing when you are first introduced to this naming system, but it makes a lot of sense once you get it straight. Happy mors dag (MOHRS-dahg) to all the mammas, mors, farmors and mormors!
Mother's Day in 2022 is an official day off in Sweden or not? Easter in Sweden is a Observance.
Mother's Day upcoming holiday dates in Sweden
May 28, 2000
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 27, 2001
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 26, 2002
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 25, 2003
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 30, 2004
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 29, 2005
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 28, 2006
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 27, 2007
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 25, 2008
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 31, 2009
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 30, 2010
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 29, 2011
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 27, 2012
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 26, 2013
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 25, 2014
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 31, 2015
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 29, 2016
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 28, 2017
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 27, 2018
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 26, 2019
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 31, 2020
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 30, 2021
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 29, 2022
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 28, 2023
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 26, 2024
Mother's Day
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Sweden
May 25, 2025
Mother's Day
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Sweden
May 31, 2026
Mother's Day
Observance
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May 30, 2027
Mother's Day
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Sweden
May 28, 2028
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 27, 2029
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden
May 26, 2030
Mother's Day
Observance
Sweden