The tradition of giving presents to your mum on Mothering Sunday goes back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Here, Nick Foley looks for some gifts to please a modern-day mother

BUYING a present for your mum on Mother's Day is the perfect way to say thank you and show her how much you love her. But pampering mum on a special day of the year is not a modern phenomenon - the gift-bearing tradition goes all the way back to Ancient Greek and Roman times.

Greeks would lavish their mothers with honey cakes and flowers at dawn, during a festival dedicated to Rhea, the mother of gods. Similarly, the Romans would bear gifts to honour the goddess Magna Mater, or great mother, over a three-day festival celebration.

It was not until the beginning of the 17th century that the British got in on the act and began to celebrate Mothering Sunday on the fourth week of Lent.

As Christianity spread through Europe, the special day developed into a twin celebration honouring both the ''Mother Church'' and the role of mothers in society.

Servants, who lived at the homes of their employers, were often given the day off and encouraged to go home and spend time with their mothers.

A special fruit cake was often prepared to mark the day, while in the north of England and Scotland mothers were often treated to pancakes fried in butter, with salt and pepper.

The first official Mother's Day was held in the US when President Woodrow Wilson had it inserted into the official calendar. In 1912 it became an American tradition to wear white carnations on Mother's Day to symbolise the sweetness and purity of motherhood. Over the years, this was extended to include wearing a red carnation in memory of a living mother and a white flower for the deceased. Flowers are still a popular symbol on cards and as a gift in their own right.

International Mother's Day is held now on May 11 but, in Britain, we celebrate it on the fourth Sunday of Lent. While most cultures now honour the contribution mums make to society, celebrations vary, mixing local traditions and customs with religious influence and marketing technique.

The Serbians, for example, take a slightly unorthodox approach to celebrate ''Materice''. Two weeks before Christmas, children traditionally tie their mother up while she's asleep. Mum then gives the children small gifts she has hidden under her pillow in exchange for her release.

Charitable Swedes, meanwhile, sell plastic flowers and use the profits from the ''Mother's Flowers'' to pay for mums with large families to go on holiday. In Japan, pictures drawn by children of their mothers are entered into a travelling exhibition which tours the world.

But in Britain, giving a card and present is still the best way to mark Mother's Day.

Here are some affordable gift ideas that are bound to get you into mum's good books.

* Champagne and chocolates will definitely earn you a few Brownie points. A Veuve Hennerick Brut Champagne, presented with Belgian chocolates, is available from Marks & Spencer at £27.

* A BaByliss foot spa, which costs £60, will give run-off their feet mothers a welcome break. Call 0870 5133191 for stockist information.

* A willow basket hamper comes with everything you need for a family picnic treat, from sparkling Chardonnay, through to dark chocolate orange biscuits and raspberry and lime preserve, is available from John Lewis for £35.

* Let her enjoy the smell of fresh, aromatic coffee every day with a stylish filter coffee maker. £44.99 at Marks & Spencer.

* Treat your mum to a luxury top-to-toe bronzing treatment that will make her feel truly pampered. Custom made facial and body treatments are also available for an indulgent treat from Clarins at Debenhams. All these treatments cost £32.

* A laid-back, jazz-inspired CD will help any mum unwind after a long day. Norah Jones' Brit-award winning album, Come Away With Me, costs £8.49 from www.amazon.co.uk

* Jewellery is a great way of showing mum you care. A fashionable mother of pearl and wooden beaded necklace costs £4.99 and can be matched with silver coloured hoop earrings for £3.99. Both available from www.next.co.uk

* For stressed-out mums a yoga set will help her find inner-peace. It comes with a video, CD and yoga mat to help her drift away from the daily strains of being a super-mum. Available from WH Smith for £19.99.

l The 21st Century Beauty Bible, by Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley, is available from Waterstones for £17.50.

l They may be old-fashioned, but flowers are still guaranteed to bring a smile to her face. This Next Mother's Day bouquet comes in a gift bag and contains cream roses, carnations and a lilac statice for £20.

Available from www.next.co.uk

* Mother's Day is on Sunday