We all know the classic gifts for mothers, like flowers and new jewelry. There’s nothing wrong with either, but what if you have the budget? Or don’t have time to go to a jewelry store? Or do you want something different?
You can’t count the meaning and nostalgia that can be found in simple DIY crafts and keepsakes. These are things that mothers really value, no matter how old their children are.
If you need fresh ideas for homemade gifts for mom, consider the following:
1. Handmade jewelry
You may not have the money to buy a giant diamond necklace, but no amount of fancy jewelry can match the thoughtfulness and kindness a child has when making their own piece of jewelry for their mom.
Whether it’s a simple beaded bracelet or hand-painted earrings, homemade jewelry gives kids the space to be creative and show what mom means to them.
Fun ideas include wooden pendants that kids can paint and put on necklaces. Another option is to create a bracelet by collecting birthstone jewelry from costumes that represent birthdays in your family.
If you don’t have time to make jewelry for your kids, there are many artisans who can make customized jewelry monogrammed with your child’s name at an affordable price. Take advantage of opportunities like this to shop local and support small businesses.
2. Jewelry dish
Does mom already have a lot of jewelry and no place to put it? Does she always take off her ring when she’s cooking or baking? Get some clay and make a jewelry plate for her. Use cookie cutters to create interesting shapes and once dry, decorate.
Children can paint their fingerprints on the finished project and decorate it with rhinestones.
3. “I Love You” sign
This is one of my favorites (and also one of the cheapest). Get some card stock and have everyone take turns writing “I love you” on the paper. (It’s best to write each “I love you” vertically in the center of the page.)
Next, get a 4×6 or 5×7 frame and place the cardstock into the frame.
Bonus points if you pick up some empty wooden picture frames from your local craft store and let the kids decorate them!
4. Handprint flowerpot
Does your mom love plants? Purchase basic terracotta pots at your local plant store or hardware store/lowes and let the kids decorate them.
The only additions needed for this gift are any flowers or plants you would like to add. Or, even better, as part of the gift, include a plant date where everyone treats mom and lets her visit the plant store to choose what she’d like to put in the pot.
(One of my fondest memories with my oldest son is when we went to our favorite plant store together and held his hand for the first time. The sight of his one-year-old son melted my heart that day. I am so grateful for those wonderful memories that come back to me every time we go to the plant store.)
5. Hand-painted kitchen utensils
If your mom likes to cook or bake, buy plain wooden kitchen utensils and let everyone decorate them. You can paint and decorate it however you like.
Don’t forget to use a sealant to prevent paint and decorations from coming off.
6. Knitted/Crocheted Coasters
If someone in your family likes to knit or crochet, make your mom some coasters for her morning coffee or tea.
If you don’t know anyone who is good at knitting or crocheting, don’t worry. Find a tree with branches the width of your handprint. Have an adult cut off the branch and then use a saw to cut the branch into circles.
Kids can decorate their wooden coasters with more rustic designs. (Let’s seal this too!)
7. Wooden picture block
Purchase empty wooden blocks and Mod Podge from Amazon or your local craft store. Print mom’s favorite photo on standard printing paper.
Place the picture on top of the wooden block and cover it with Mod Podge. Let this dry and you’re ready to go.
8. “What’s for dinner?” cube
If the mom in your life is like me, she hates deciding what’s for dinner. Relieve daily stress by purchasing blank wooden cubes and writing your family’s favorite recipes on different sides. When mom doesn’t know what to cook, grab some cubes and roll them up.
If you want to have even more fun, write basic ingredients on each side of the cube, such as pasta, chicken, sour cream, or marinara. Mom throws everything out, then everyone gets creative and brainstorms recipes using the ingredients rolled on the dice.
This allows everyone to cook together and create sweet and silly memories. (Don’t blame me if the finished product is inedible, haha!)
9. Scrapbook
It may take a little more time, but making a scrapbook for your mom is a very creative and unique gift.
Think about your favorite memorable family vacations, or look back at old photos of all the kids to create a memory book of “years gone by.” The options for which events to revisit are endless.
To add extra sweetness, have the children write a note on the front or back of the book thanking mom for all the adventures and fond memories.
(Do you have limited time but love the idea of a scrapbook? Choose a simple photo album. This way you can capture all your memories without feeling pressured to do a lot of decorating or writing. For a special touch, you can write a personalized letter at the beginning or end.)
10. Favorite Memories Letter
Just like scrapbook notes, favorite memory letters go even deeper and allow moms to share how much they mean to their family.
Trust me, “mom guilt” is real. Most of us count how we are doing things wrong. So why not give your mom a little tangible encouragement by writing down all of your most cherished childhood memories?Give her physical proof that all her efforts like park dates, movie nights, and home crafts weren’t wasted, let alone forgotten.
Even better, instead of a letter, you can write her a poem, draw a picture, or draft a song that encapsulates all your special memories.
11. Recycling basket
Sometimes, a second-hand gift can be the most meaningful. why? Because you need to know what you’re looking for. Thrifting isn’t like browsing every corner of a department store where you know you have enough of everything.
Thrifting means combing the aisles until you find a random thing that screams, “This is totally mommy!” If you’re on a budget or want to challenge your gift-giving abilities, stop by your local thrift store and create a basket filled with mom’s favorites based on fun finds.
don’t overthink
Mom thinks too much about the whole family, that’s guaranteed. So don’t overthink or stress about the perfect gift. With a little creativity and heart, you can give mom a treasure she’ll keep forever.
Remember, all she wants is a sweet reminder that she is seen, valued, and appreciated. All she wants is your love.
Photo credit: GettyImages/evgenyatamanenko
Peyton Garland is a writer, editor, and mom of a boy who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. For more encouragement, subscribe to her blog Uncured+OK.
