Celebrating Mother’s Day the Italian Way

Italian mothers are celebrated year round, but officially in the United States, Mother’s day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

It’s a big occasion!

One of the most important holidays in the Italian year is this day when families come together from wherever they are to celebrate and look after their mothers.

Everyone who is able returns to their family home and those who cannot, most commonly because of work, make sure they send a card, a letter, a poem, or make a phone call. Mother’s Day, itself, will center around activities bringing the family together. In most families, Mamma will not be allowed to cook or do housework on her special day.

Fresh pastries and coffee are made for her and children usually give homemade gifts. Lunch will be held either in the family home or at a restaurant. This has become the most popular day of the year in Italy to dine out! The meal is always rounded off with a sweet cake, often in the shape of a heart, and a liqueur coffee.

How Can You Celebrate Mother’s Day, Italian style?

• Give her something homemade. A handwritten note or card will deeply touch your Mamma’s heart. One of our favorite Mother’s Day quotes in Italy is “Solo un giorno in cui ricordare, chi mi ha donato la vita, 364 giorni per renderti orgogliosa di quel dono. Auguri, Mamma!” which means, “There’s just one day in which to remember who gave me life. But there are 364 days for me to make you proud of that gift. Happy Mother’s Day!”

• Cook her an Italian meal. Providing her with a lovely Italian lunch or dinner will make this day memorable. Join us for one of our cooking classes to learn how to cook a traditional Italian meal that will “WOW” her! Check out our Cooking with Nonna class here.

• Surprise her with a visit! Even though she may not admit it, your mother may LOVE being surprised by a visit from you on Mother’s Day. The main idea is to make sure you see your Mother on Mother’s Day.

• Delight her with a heart-shaped cake. A heart-shaped cake is essential in many parts of Italy. See if you can find a local baker to have one made or sent to her if you cannot deliver it in person.

• And most of all, over anything else, make sure you tell her you love her. It’s what Italian mother’s like best.

Perhaps you’d like to cook with your Mamma!

Join us for a memorable Italian cooking class at the home of a local Italian grandmother in Little Italy. Chef Tina is from Avellino in the Campania region of Southern Italy.

Together, you and her guests will prepare and savor a multi-course home style Italian feast together.  And you will enjoy this cozy culinary affair the Italian way—with Italian wine as well as aperitivi & digestivi.  These are Italian cocktails that prepare your tummy for the scrumptious meal that awaits.  It also helps you digest after your meal and to cap off a wonderful day!

If that sounds like something you might enjoy doing WITH your Mother, check out our booking calendar here. Also, through the end of May, use promo code MAMMAMIA to receive 15% off your Cooking Class reservation.