Life gets busy, so if you’ve just realized that Mother’s Day is only a few days away then have no fear! This time of year can be hard on a budget, but there’s a lot of amazing things you can do for mom that doesn’t mean dipping into your savings account! It’s hard to avoid the temptation of splurging on mom’s big day because, after all, she’s done so much for us, right? But, there are a few things your mom will be head over heels for that only cost a little DIY and a lot of heart! With a few simple techniques and shopping know-how, you’ll be ready to surprise mom with a gift that will always be cherish.
1. Handpicked Flowers
One of the most popular gifts for Mother’s Day is the bouquet. You’ll see lots of flowers in your favorite stores, which can be tempting especially if you wait until the last minute. Of course, you will probably also see huge mark ups which won’t do your budget any favors. In fact, the closer to the holiday you wait, the pricier the flowers are going to get, so you might want to avoid these stores altogether. Instead, take to your garden to make an extra special bouquet for mom. This will allow you to choose from a variety that you’ll know mom will adore. Of course, not everyone has their own flowers to choose from. If you don’t then talk to friends and family that may have some flowers you can buy or have for free. You could also look around for public gardens that allow you to take home some of the flowers. Make sure to check in on the rules though as you don’t want to be fined! When you have the flowers, make mom a special DIY vase or wrap them in beautiful papers. This shouldn’t add on to the price tag much and it’ll make it look even more memorable for mom! Finally, deliver the beauties in person so you can enjoy the smile and add on even more joy to the gift.
2. DIY Fake Flowers
Flowers are good and all, but you can always take your gift up a notch and give your mom flowers that won’t end up dying within the next week or so! The best thing about DIY flowers is there’s absolutely no limit on the creativity you can exhibit. For instance, one great way to show off your love for mom is to make her paper roses! There’s lots of tutorials online and the only thing they’ll cost you is a bit of time and a lot of love. When you’re finished, find something special to put them in and hand deliver them to mom. You can also look around for fake flowers that you already have. If you don’t own any then buy some at your local dollar store. When you get them home place colorful candies in the center of each flower for a beautiful look that mom will surely get a kick out of. You can also create little notes for mom and fold them up and place them in the center. This will make the gift something she can look forward to seeing every day of the year. Finally, if you’re in the mood to bake, you can make stylish cupcake, cookie or brownie flowers for mom. You may also want to cut up fruit to make an edible bouquet that doesn’t cost a fortune. When you’ve finished your DIY flowers then find a great vase or make one and deliver the gift!
3. Customized Kitchen Supplies
If your mom is like many mom’s then the kitchen is her domain. So, why not give her a little something to make her domain even more personal? There’s a lot of basic kitchen items out there that you can transform into something spectacular. For instance, you can easily take cheap kitchen towels and turn them into spicy towels that show off mom’s attitude. Simply download some stencil from the internet and use your cloth paint to finish off the look! You can also do this to a new pair of oven mitts or an apron. All mom’s could use a bit more storage in their life so pick up some cheap storage containers from your dollar store or department store. Then, add some paint and you’ll have a whole new look she’ll be happy to show off. If you utilize some chalk board paint it’ll take the gift even further as mom will be able to customize it to her needs! You can also find some cheap wooden cooking utensils and paint the tops to meet mom’s favorite colors or designs. Finally, no mom will be able to resist her very own customized tea or coffee mug. Try painting on special messages or having the kids place the fingerprints on it!
4. Portable Hug
If you don’t live close to your mom then a portable hug may be the answer to your gifting problem! You can make one of these in a few different ways. One of the most frugal ways is to grab a roll of paper. Simply roll the paper onto the floor and have the hugger lay down with their arms spread out. Then, someone traces around the hugger. When this is complete cut around the tracing and have the hugger color in a picture of themselves. You can even write special messages on the portable hug to bring a smile to mom’s face. If you want a more durable hug then go to your local discount store and find a large pillow. Then, take some fabric paint and place it on the huggers arms and hands. The hugger then gently hugs the pillow leaving behind a hug that mom will be able to feel whenever she’s missing out. This craft is perfect for kids, so if you’re looking for a gift to make grandma happy or if there’s dad’s out there still lost as to what to help the kids do, then this is a great treat!
5. DIY Garden Kit
A lot of mom’s are interested in gardening, so why not help them with their hobby this holiday? A DIY gardening kit is one of the cheapest and easiest gifts to provide for a mom that wants to give the yard a bit of a makeover. First, you’ll want to find something to place your items in. Generally, a flower pot, bucket or watering can are some of the best choices. When you decide what you’re doing, pull out the paints and customize it just for mom! Then, find a few cheap tools like a handheld hoe or shovel to help with digging and tilling. These items can also be customized with a bit of paint, so don’t hold out when it comes to your creativity. Finally, add some smaller items like seed packets, plant food or a planter’s guide. You could also make custom plant markers to make the gift even more personal!
6. Make a Meal
One of the best ways to show mom you appreciate her is to cook her a meal. Of course, you should also make plans to clean up afterwards as it would definitely take away from the meaning to have mom stuck with a kitchen filled with dishes. Brunch is usually a great choice for many people as it allows them to give mom some extra time to sleep in the morning as well as some prep time for cooking. It also means you won’t have worry about two different meals and can incorporate mom’s favorite breakfast and lunch elements into one fantastic meal. Dinner is another great choice though as it allows mom to have some fun during the day and will give everyone a chance to come together for the meal. Make sure to pick foods you know mom loves and doesn’t get very often to make the meal even more extraordinary. Adding a dessert element to the meal will top it off and ensure mom feels the love!
7. Clean Up Crew
If there’s one thing mom will definitely appreciate, it’s having her chores taken away for the day. Try to gather up the whole family to get more things done and to make the surprise even grander for your mom. If you can, have mom make a list or ask dad for a list if you’re trying to make the chores a surprise. Then, get to work. Light housework is always a plus, but try to take on some of the bigger jobs if you can. These can be both indoor and outdoor chores. For instance, have some of the family clean out the gutters, work on hedges and other out of reach or hard to do tasks. Inside, you can take on the task of cleaning out the oven, deep clean the carpets and dust in high places!
8. Coupon Book
Nothing will make mom feel all giddy inside like her very own coupon book. This allows you a lot of freedom to make the book customized to your mom’s needs without forcing you to spend a lot of money. For instance, you can toss in coupons that offer her a free meal or baked goods. You may also want to add in a trip out on the town or movie night with the family. Some mom’s may even want coupons that allow them to take the grandkids for a night or two. You know just what mom wants and needs so make sure your coupon book has a little bit of everything. She’ll be so happy your gift was so thoughtful that other gifts won’t even compare. Best of all, she can use it all year long so you can keep giving back!
9. Photo Art
Most mom’s love to see photos of the people they care about, so use this to make her day absolutely fabulous. Most of the photo gifts that you buy in stores can actually be done at home, so browse around to see what art you can create at an incredibly low price. For starters, you may want to transfer one of mom’s favorite photos onto a canvas so she can display it for all to see. Another great option is to photo transfer onto a pillow or blanket. These are all easy tasks and won’t take a lot of time or money. Of course, you can also go all out and make your mom a special scrap book or brag book! Again, these are so simple to make and will ensure she feels appreciated all year long.
10. Keep It Artistic
Mom’s always love gifts that come from the heart, so this holiday make sure to show off your artistic side. One of the most common gifts to make is a personal card. You’ve probably been making these since childhood so make sure to put the same amount of love into that you did as a child who couldn’t afford to go out and buy a card. You should also include a special message that she’ll love to look back on. If you want to go beyond the card then try to create a poem or paint a picture. Anything that shows off the skills your mom passed down to you and helped you develop as you grew will make your mom feel ecstatic.
Celebrating Mother’s Day isn’t all about diamond bracelets or spending hundreds on the right flowers. With a little TLC, your mom will know she means the world to you! This Mother’s Day try to make finding the perfect gift a little more about showing your appreciation and less about your bank account. With these ten craft ideas you should be able to find the perfect gift for the special lady in your life.
