Pop quiz: what important event is happening on May 12? If you answered “the second-to-last episode of Game of Thrones,” you are forgetting a holiday that’s been around for over a century: Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day may seem like a straightforward holiday — take your mom out to brunch, buy her a bouquet of flowers, and be home in time for that episode of Game of Thrones. But Mother’s Day has a long and intriguing history and is an opportunity to express genuine gratitude to the mothers in your life. When Did Mother’s Day Start? This question doesn’t have an easy answer. One of the first people to champion a form of Mother’s Day was Ann Reeves Jarvis, who organized a “Mothers’ Friendship Day” in 1868 to promote reconciliation after the end of the Civil War. Suffragette Julia Ward Howe campaigned in 1870 for a “Mother’s Peace Day” to be celebrated every June 2 to call for world peace.Anna Jarvis (daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis) started a huge letter-writing campaign to politicians and newspapers to advocate for a special holiday honoring motherhood. In 1914 her hard work paid off, and President Woodrow Wilson established the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Why Is Mother’s Day Important? Mothers have put in years of hard work raising their children and creating a better, more loving world. No two mothers are the same, but many of us can remember the moment we realized how much our mothers do to provide a better life for us. Moms work around the clock, cook, care for us, organize our lives, and provide endless emotional support during the good times and the bad. Mother’s Day is a special chance to pause and give back to the mothers in your life who have poured so much love into you. Mother’s Day isn’t just for your mom — you can honor grandmothers, mentors, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who has stepped into that motherly role in your life. What Should I Do for Mother’s Day? Definitely talk to your mom! With more people moving away from their hometown, Mother’s Day represents the biggest spike in phone calls — more phone calls are placed on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year, with call rates jumping an average of 37%. Many people buy flowers for their mom on Mother’s Day and send a card as well. 69 percent of Mother’s Day gifts are simply bouquets of flowers, and 133 million cards are sent for Mother’s Day every year, according to Hallmark. There’s nothing wrong with a fresh bunch of tulips and a handwritten card, but go above and beyond this year for Mother’s Day and find a unique gift that your mom will cherish. Luckily there’s no need to frantically brainstorm the perfect gift — we’ve collected six great Mother’s Day gift ideas so you are fully prepared. One timeless gift option is to gift your mom a silicone ring with a significant date or phrase. To find the perfect QALO ring to match your Mother’s personality shop our Mother’s Day gift guide to choose between our signature styles and color options. You may not be saying “I do,” but a Mother’s Day silicone ring from QALO says “I do appreciate you!”