Mother’s Day vs. Father’s Day — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on November 26, 2023
Mother’s Day honors mothers & maternal figures, while Father’s Day celebrates fathers & paternal figures. Both express gratitude towards parents.
Difference Between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. Father’s Day, on the other hand, is dedicated to celebrating fathers, paternal bonds, and the role of fathers in society.
Mother's Day typically involves giving gifts, cards, and flowers to mothers and maternal figures. Similarly, Father’s Day is marked by giving gifts, cards, and sometimes, ties, to fathers and paternal figures.
Mother’s Day often emphasizes nurturing, care, and tenderness that is commonly associated with motherhood. In contrast, Father’s Day often emphasizes strength, protection, and guidance which are frequently linked with fatherhood.
Mother’s Day, in many instances, is associated with soft and gentle symbols like flowers and soft colors. Whereas Father’s Day tends to be associated with more sturdy and strong symbols like tools and bold colors.
Mother’s Day tends to see a surge in spa bookings, lunch dates, and candy sales as ways to pamper moms. Father’s Day often witnesses an increase in barbecue equipment sales, sporting event outings, and watch sales as common gift choices.
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Comparison Chart
Associated Colors
Soft, pastels
Bold, dark
Typical Symbols
Flowers, hearts
Tools, ties
Common Gifts
Jewelry, chocolates
Watches, wallets
Grammatical Usage
Possessive singular
Possessive singular
Associated Activities
Spa visits, brunches
Barbecues, sports
Compare with Definitions
Mother’s Day
Mother's Day is a day for expressing appreciation towards mothers and mother figures.
We made breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day to show our love for Mom.
Father's Day
Father’s Day celebrates fathers and paternal figures.
Every Father’s Day, we gift Dad a custom-made card.
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is associated with symbols like hearts and flowers.
On Mother’s Day, stores are filled with heart-shaped candies and bouquets.
Father's Day
Father’s Day tends to be associated with outdoor activities and adventures.
Many families go fishing on Father’s Day to spend quality time together.
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers.
Every year, we plant flowers on Mother’s Day to honor Grandma.
Father's Day
Father’s Day is a day to honor the influence of fathers in society.
The park hosts a fun fair every Father’s Day to celebrate dads.
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is known for gift-giving to mothers and maternal figures.
Sarah bought a necklace for her aunt on Mother’s Day.
Father's Day
Father’s Day often includes sturdy and strong symbolic gifts.
Hardware stores often have sales on tools around Father’s Day.
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day often involves activities meant to pamper and appreciate mothers.
Spas offer special packages on Mother’s Day for relaxation and pampering.
Father's Day
Father’s Day involves expressing gratitude through gifts and activities.
On Father’s Day, we usually have a backyard barbecue to celebrate.
Common Curiosities
What is a traditional Mother’s Day gift?
Common Mother’s Day gifts include flowers, cards, and chocolates.
On which date is Mother’s Day celebrated?
In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.
Why is Mother’s Day possessive?
The apostrophe in Mother’s Day signifies a day belonging to mothers, hence it is possessive.
What is the origin of Father’s Day?
Father’s Day began in the U.S. in the early 20th century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fathers.
What is a typical Father’s Day activity?
Typical activities include barbecuing, attending sporting events, or enjoying outdoor activities.
How should one write Mother’s Day and Father’s Day correctly?
Both "Mother’s Day" and "Father’s Day" should be written with an apostrophe before the 's' indicating singular possessive.
Why is it called Mother's Day?
It's called Mother’s Day as it is dedicated to honoring and celebrating mothers and motherhood.
Is Mother’s Day a global holiday?
While Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries, the date and traditions can vary.
Are there specific flowers associated with Mother’s Day?
Carnations are often associated with Mother’s Day, with pink and red ones honoring motherhood.
Why is Father’s Day in June?
Father’s Day is in June (third Sunday) in the U.S. due to the first celebration being held on June 19, 1910.
Is Father’s Day celebrated worldwide?
Father’s Day is celebrated in many countries, but dates and traditions vary globally.
How do people typically celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day?
People commonly celebrate by giving gifts, spending quality time together, and partaking in activities the parent enjoys.
Why do we celebrate Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is celebrated to honor fathers and their contributions to their families and society.
Is Father’s Day only for biological fathers?
No, Father’s Day celebrates all father figures, including stepfathers, grandfathers, and other paternal figures.
Why is there an apostrophe in Father’s Day?
The apostrophe in Father’s Day denotes that it's a day belonging to fathers, indicating possession.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
