Dinner Celebration

Traditionally, the “Mother’s Day flower” is the white carnation (dianthus caryophyllus). Anna Jarvis, one of the founders of the modern Mother’s Day celebration, chose the white carnation as its official flower because it had been her mother’s favorite.

The white carnation symbolizes the purity of a mother’s love—but be careful with a bouquet of white carnations: Today, they symbolize death and a mother who has passed away. Choose red or pink carnations to honor a living mother, or mix your bouquet.