Mother’s Day in Finland — Äitienpäivä

Every May, Finland fills with a special atmosphere. Shop windows display flowers, greeting cards and gifts for mothers, cafés offer festive brunches, and children in schools and daycare centers carefully prepare handmade surprises. Every second Sunday of May, Finland celebrates Mother’s Day — Äitienpäivä.

For me, this is a particularly meaningful holiday because I am a mother of four children — two sons and two daughters. Children always need their mother, especially when they are young. But even as adults, we still think of our mothers in difficult moments and look to them for comfort and support. Motherhood remains one of the most important and profound parts of a woman’s life. So I would like to warmly congratulate all mothers on this beautiful holiday!

The History of Mother’s Day in Finland

The tradition of celebrating Mother’s Day came to Finland in the early 20th century from the United States and other European countries. The holiday became especially important during the first years of Finnish independence after 1917.

Finland was going through difficult times marked by civil war, poverty and heavy human losses. Many women became widows and had to raise children on their own. Social organizations and the Lutheran Church wanted to highlight the importance of mothers and support them both morally and socially.

Schools and local communities organized small celebrations where children performed songs and poems for their mothers and presented them with flowers.

In 1927, the official date of Mother’s Day in Finland was established as the second Sunday of May. Since then, the holiday has been celebrated nationwide every year.

Mother’s Day During Wartime

Mother’s Day gained even greater significance during World War II. Finnish mothers played an enormous role during the war years: they cared for children, worked, supported their families and helped the country survive

On May 10, 1942, Marshal Gustaf Mannerheim honored all mothers of Finland with the Cross of Liberty (Vapaudenristi) as a sign of national gratitude and respect.

Since 1947, Mother’s Day has also been an official flag day in Finland, meaning the Finnish flag is flown throughout the country.

Official Recognition for Mothers

Even today, mothers are highly respected in Finnish society. Every year on Mother’s Day, the President of Finland hosts an official reception in Helsinki for distinguished mothers, including women with large families, adoptive mothers and mothers who have devoted their lives to raising children.

These women receive the Order of the White Rose of Finland (Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ritarikunta), one of the country’s respected honors.

This tradition reflects how strongly Finnish society values motherhood, family and the work of raising children.

How Mother’s Day Is Celebrated in Finland Today

For Finns, Mother’s Day is primarily a warm family celebration celebrated at home.

Children in daycare centers and schools prepare gifts in advance: handmade cards, drawings, crafts, sewn items, wooden objects or flowers they have grown themselves. These gifts are especially touching because they are made with love and effort.

Last year, my youngest son gave me a wooden jewelry box he made during craft lessons. This year, he gave me a small flower plant they had grown during biology class. The children planted seeds, watched the sprouts appear, watered the plants and labeled each flower pot. It was incredibly touching. At my school, biology lessons were mostly theoretical.

Adult children usually visit their mothers, bring flowers and gather for a family meal or coffee. Festive brunches in restaurants are also very popular, and tables are often reserved weeks in advance.

Many Finnish cities organize concerts, spring events, and sightseeing cruises on lakes or along the coast. However, the main focus of the holiday remains family warmth and appreciation for mothers.

Finnish Mother’s Day Traditions

Several traditions are closely connected with Äitienpäivä in Finland:

• raising the Finnish national flag;
• preparing breakfast for mother;
• giving flowers, especially roses and tulips;
• handmade cards and gifts from children;
• family lunches and dinners;
• visits to grandmothers and older relatives.

In many Finnish families, mothers are encouraged to relax while other family members prepare meals and take care of household chores.

A Holiday of Warmth and Gratitude

Mother’s Day in Finland is more than just a beautiful spring holiday. It is a day dedicated to gratitude, love and appreciation for mothers and their lifelong care and support.

Äitienpäivä reminds people of the importance of family, kindness and spending time together. That is why it remains one of the warmest and most beloved holidays in Finland. In 2026, Mother’s Day is celebrated in Finland on Sunday, May 10.