Mother's Day History

Mother's Day is an annual holiday that recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well the positive contributions that they make to society. In the United States it is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

The first attempts to establish a "Mother's Day" in the U.S. were mostly marked by women's peace groups. A common early activity was the meeting of groups of mothers whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides of the American Civil War. There were several limited observances in the 1870s and the 1880s but none achieved resonance beyond the local level.

In 1868 Ann Jarvis created a committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day" whose purpose was "to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War", and she wanted to expand it into an annual memorial for mothers, but she died in 1905 before the celebration became popular. Her daughter Anna Jarvis would continue her mother's efforts.

In New York City, Julia Ward Howe led a "Mother's Day" anti-war observance on June 2, 1872, which was accompanied by a Mother's Day Proclamation. The observance continued in Boston for about 10 years under Howe's personal sponsorship, then died out.

Several years later a Mother's Day observance on May 13, 1877 was held in Albion, Michigan over a dispute related to the temperance movement. According to local legend, Albion pioneer Juliet Calhoun Blakeley stepped up to complete the sermon of the Rev. Myron Daughterty who was distraught because an anti-temperance group had forced his son and two other temperance advocates to spend the night in a saloon and become publicly drunk. From the pulpit Blakeley called on other mothers to join her. Blakeley's two sons, both traveling salesmen, were so moved that they vowed to return each year to pay tribute to her and embarked on a campaign to urge their business contacts to do likewise. At their urging, in the early 1880s, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Albion set aside the second Sunday in May to recognize the special contributions of mothers.

SPRING INTO SAVINGS!

Spring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and broadly to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and customs. At the spring equinox, days are close to 12 hours long with day length increasing as the season progresses.

With the new season, Island Candles N Things, introduce you with our "SPRING INTO SAVING!" Sale.
It's a perfect time to find home décor ideas with our Bali candles and Decorative candle holder collections,
Or look fashionable with our Bali jewelry collection, from Wooden to Sterling silver jewelry.

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Exotic Gift Ideas for Friends and Family by

A lot of the time when people hear the word ‘exotic’, they think of expensive things. Granted, there are many exotic items that are expensive but the opposite is true as well. There are many exotic items that are inexpensive. Inexpensive, exotic items make up some incredibly beautiful and unique gifting options for nearly any occasion. People love exotic gifts because they make them feel like they are on a vacation. It’s also something that someone doesn’t get every day.


So what types of exotic gifts are good ideas? Bali Jewelry is a distinctive type of jewelry that will stand out and appear incredibly unique. It has an earthy feel to it with its natural tones and natural components. Many of the bracelets and earrings are made of carved wood or earth-toned beads. Their necklaces stand out with their chunky designs and flawless carving technique. Indeed, there are several beautiful pieces of jewelry that are both inexpensive and exotic that would make a great gift for a friend or family member.



Perhaps the recipient in question is not much of a jewelry lover. In that case, there are exotic decorative pieces for the home or office that might just be perfect. Bali candles and candle holders are both unique and interesting while providing a natural feel for the area they are placed in. Candles can be bought to fit the style of décor for any home and they are a reasonably priced item as well. Practicality should also be considered since they can be used when the electricity goes out at night.



Other exotic gift ideas that may be good options might include tea cups from various countries. Many people collect tea cups as well as spoons. Finding dishes of any sort that bare the theme of an exotic place would greatly appeal to a grandmother, mother or aunt. Picture frames are another great idea as well. Of course, for those who have a little more pocket change to spare, including an exotic picture is a great idea to go along with the picture frame. Clothing is another great choice as it is relatively easy to find exotic pieces that are inexpensive. Indeed, it is a great idea to look into items that are from exotic areas to give to friends and family. It will be a gift unlike any other they’ve been given and will also serve your pocket book well.

History of candle making

In Rome, around the first century, candles were made out of tallow and the pith of rushes. The Latin word "candere" means to flicker. The Egyptians and Cretans made the candle from beeswax, as early as 3000 BC. The early candle was made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. In the 18th century, spermaceti, oil produced by the sperm whale, was used to produce a superior candle.

Late in the 18th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil came into use as much cheaper substitutes. Paraffin was first distilled in 1830, and revolutionized candle-making, as it was an inexpensive material which produced a high-quality, odorless candle that burned reasonably cleanly. The industry was devastated soon after, however, by the distillation of kerosene (confusingly also called paraffin oil or just paraffin). Recently resin based candles that are freestanding and transparent have been developed, with the claim that they burn longer than traditional paraffin candles. They are usually scented and oil based.