International Women's Day on March 8th: how to celebrate and what to give

On Saturday, March 8, Russia and the world celebrate the spring holiday — International Women's Day. There are many interesting events planned for this day in different cities. Festive events will take place in parks, museums, shopping malls, clubs and other public spaces. For more information about how the celebrations will take place in 2025 and what to give women on March 8, read the Izvestia article.

History and traditions of International Women's Day

The holiday appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century as the day of solidarity of women in the struggle for their rights. It was originally celebrated on March 19, and then on May 12. In 1975, during the International Year of Women, the United Nations (UN) decided to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8. Since then, the date of the holiday has remained unchanged.

Traditionally, Women's Day celebrates the achievements of women regardless of nationality, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences. Every year, the UN announces the theme of the day. In 2025, International Women's Day will be held under the slogan "For all women and girls: rights, equality, and empowerment."

However, today, March 8 is not only a tribute to the struggle for women's rights, but also a big spring holiday when all women are honored: mothers, grandmothers, girlfriends, colleagues. Many collectives organize festive events with tea parties and gift giving. Families gather in a close circle to congratulate their dearest women on the holiday.

In congratulations to women on March 8, it is customary to emphasize not only their successes, but also the femininity, love and care with which they surround their loved ones.

Which countries celebrate March 8th?

In Russia and in many post—Soviet countries — Belarus, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan - March 8 has been declared a public holiday and a non-working day. And in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, a double holiday is celebrated on this date — International Women's Day and Mother's Day.

Happy 8th of March: beautiful postcards, congratulations in prose to the teacher, mother, grandmother, colleagues and all women

This day is also a weekend in Cuba, North Korea, Mongolia, Angola, and Zambia. In many Southeast Asian countries, particularly in China, companies usually release their employees before the end of the working Day on International Women's Day. And in Laos, only men go to work.

In the West, March 8 is celebrated exclusively as a day of struggle for women's equality, for example, in Germany, the birthplace of Clara Zetkin, who in 1910 took the initiative to establish a similar holiday. The same meaning is attached to the celebration in the USA, Italy, France, Poland.

How to celebrate March 8 in Russia in 2025

By the spring holiday, art objects will appear in a number of cities, against which you can take vivid photos and selfies. For example, in Moscow, the number eight decorated with flowers will be placed on Tverskaya Square, and a large installation in the form of a tulip will be placed on Arbat. Heart-shaped boxes for greeting cards and letters will be installed in Gorky Park and at the main entrance of VDNH on March 8.

The holiday will also include the campaigns "To you, my beloved" and "Bouquet for the ice". Volunteers, joined by famous personalities, will meet residents of the capital on the streets, squares, boulevards, train stations, near metro stations and give them flowers.

Shopping malls are also preparing a festive program. So, the spring festival "I Want flowers" will be held for the visitors of Outlet Village in Vnukovo and in New Riga. Throughout the weekend, women will be able to receive flowers and various gifts from stores. Street performers, themed photo zones and live music will perform on the territory.

In St. Petersburg, art exhibitions, sports events, master classes and a festive concert are timed to coincide with International Women's Day, which will take place on the evening of March 7 at the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall. During the holiday, you will also be able to enjoy the first aromas of spring as part of the "Thaw of the Senses" festival in the Botanical Garden, where the first primroses have already bloomed.

The Kazan Kremlin will be one of the central venues in Kazan. There will be quests, guided tours and various workshops for the whole family.

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Gift ideas for women on March 8th

The most popular gifts for March 8 are bouquets of tulips and mimosas. These spring flowers have been considered permanent symbols of celebration for many decades. Chocolates and cakes are in second place. This is followed by cosmetics and household products.

Other coveted gifts include jewelry, gadgets, perfumes, certificates to beauty salons and clothing stores. According to surveys, more than a third of Russians would like to receive a practical gift on March 8 that can be used in everyday life. Another part of women dreams of a surprise gift.

Earlier, Izvestia told how Russians will rest in the first month of spring and where the additional day off on March 8 disappeared.