Making Mother's Day Special With Easy Handmade Gifts

Moms stay pretty busy, having to make sure the family has good and hot meals, clean clothes, and lots of love, not to mention driving everyone from place to place and working at a job away from home. Since she usually takes care of those types of things, finding a Mother’s Day gift may stump the children, and Dad may not always be much help. One idea that may seem a little cliché still holds true: handmade gifts are the best, especially when the children make them personally. There are some quick and easy presents that can be pulled together at the last minute without looking like you forgot the holiday.

Gather an indulgently plush bathrobe and spa slippers, and add them to a pretty basket filled with bubble bath, a body sponge, bath oils, body wash, body oils or lotions, and a bath pillow. Tuck in some scented votive candles, decadent chocolates and cookies, and a CD of soft, relaxing music. Encourage her to indulge in letting her cares drift away on the suds.

Find a plain wooden picture frame and glue scrapbooking paper to cover it. Add charms, stickers, or painted chipboard cutouts to personalize the frame especially for Mom. Alternatively, paint the frame with acrylic paint and allow it to dry thoroughly. Give each child a paint pen or permanent marker, and have him or her write a special message on the frame. Seal the gift with acrylic varnish to protect it before adding the perfect picture of the family.

Start a special breakfast treat by lining a breadbasket with a pretty cloth napkin or vintage handkerchief. Slip in the latest from Mom’s favorite author, a whimsical teapot, cup, and saucer, and some flavored coffees and teas. Finish the treat with scones, muffins, honey, and fresh fruit.

Operating on a tight budget, which leaves no money for a gift? Cut the cardboard from empty cereal boxes to coupon size. Cover the cardboard with paper and use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to make a coupon book that Mom may redeem for extra hugs, help with chores, computer lessons or other special things. Staple them together or punch holes and tie it with curling ribbon left over from other holidays.

Give Mom a break from meal preparation, even if you can’t cook. Pick up a gourmet meal from her favorite restaurant and repackage it for the freezer, allowing her to pull out a special treat when she just doesn’t want to face the stove or going out. Another choice is to present her with a gift certificate for a personal chef’s services or a coupon for a meal-delivery service.