IDK how but apparently, Mother’s Day is right around the corner. And despite all of my best intentions, I have zero products stocked in my store to celebrate the special day of celebrating mothers. As a mom myself, I spend so much time stressing about the perfect gift for the other important moms in our lives that I pay little attention to what I’d like to or will receive myself on behalf of my kids and hubby. I’d rather have homemade gifts for Mother’s Day from my kids any day over expensive crap I’ll likely never use!
Except chocolates and crafts stuff, but that’s a whole other post 🤣.
If you’re like me and on the hook for last-minute Mother’s Day gifts, you’re in the right spot! I’m fixing to drop some mind-blowing ideas for the perfect mother’s day gift for that special mom you want to spoil. But these aren’t any old gifts for Mother’s Day. Oh no, sirree. I’m talking about homemade Mother’s Day gifts that are sure to prove to your mother how special she is to you.
And best of all, your last-minute gifts from my mother’s day ideas are a great way to add a personalized touch. Plus, you don’t have to be the crafty type, ’cause my Mother’s Day DIY presents are affordable and creative ways for adults and kids of all ages to try.
Mother’s Day – A Day Dedicated to All Thangs Mom
Mother’s Day is a special occasion celebrated all over the world to honor and appreciate mothers, mother figures, and maternal bonds. All of us want to find the perfect way to celebrate the special woman in our lives. And nothing says “I love you” to a mom like a thoughtful, handmade gift from the heart.
This day provides an excellent opportunity to express gratitude and love to the women who have shaped and nurtured us throughout our lives. While it is customary to buy gifts for mothers, personalized and handmade mother’s day gifts hold a unique charm and meaning. Even after years of experience as a daughter and granddaughter, I still get caught off guard repeatedly by the fast arrival of Mother’s day every year and often require a last-minute mother’s day gift idea.
How Homemade Gifts For Mother’s Day Make It More Special
As a mom of four, I’m often in shell-shock at how fast life flies. It’s hard to believe that I have been a mom for two decades, with the oldest graduating high school this year. Next year, I’ll have a senior in high school, an 8th grader moving out of middle school, and a 5th grader graduating elementary school.
I’m dreading the empty nest lifestyle, even though it’s still a decade away. But with the way time files, it’ll be here before I know it. So, right now, I’m all about making and saving memories. And nothing is more fun – and FRFR stressful – than doing crafty shyt with my kiddos; especially the older kids that are on their way out the door. And I do mean easy tutorial stuff, cause my crafting and verbal teaching ain’t at the expert level that I imagine in my oh-so-favorite imaginary world.
DIY gifts are an excellent way to show your love and appreciation to your mother while also unleashing your creativity and having fun with easy craft projects in the process. Handmade gifts are thoughtful and make a unique gift. And often have more sentimental value than store-bought gifts. Additionally, DIY gifts can be tailored to your mother’s preferences and personality, making them more personal and meaningful.
DIY Homemade Gifts for Mother’s Day
Whether you want to get a head start on DIY mother’s day gifts or you need a great gift idea at the last moment, these easy mother’s day crafts will make a sweet gift and can be a fun project to express your creativity. Here are some different ways that you can make the special woman in your life feel like the best mom in the world with heartfelt gift ideas.
Play Around with Personalized Photo Frames
An easy diy gift that can be great for younger kids is to create a decorative picture frame. The best thing about this homemade craft gift is that you don’t need a lot of materials. If you have kids or a basic craft kit, chances are you’ll already have everything you need on hand.
Another awesome thing about this simple craft is that you can have each of your kids make a design and each one would be different. And even better, this easy craft can help your kids practice crucial motor functions.
Materials needed:
- Wooden photo frame
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Decorative elements (stickers, flowers, ribbons, etc.)
- Photograph of your mother and you
Step-by-step instructions:
- Paint the wooden frame with mom’s favorite colors or a color that matches her personality.
- Decorate the frame with stickers, flowers, or ribbons that match the paint color.
- Attach a photograph of you and your mother to the frame.
Tips and variations:
- Use metallic paint pens or glitter to add some sparkle to the frame.
- Include a meaningful quote or message on the frame for an extra personal touch.
Handmade Jewelry Can Make a Beautiful Gift
Another great mother’s day gift for all ages is handmade jewelry. As I’ve learned over the years, there are many ways that you can make jewelry, just as there multiple pieces of jewelry that you can make.
Most ladies have experience with making jewelry as young girls. Most of us started with friendship bracelets before graduating to the very mature handmade bead jewelry. Some of the best gifts I got when I was a kid were craft kits with instructions on how to make new designs. Maybe that’s where my crafting obsession started and I never realized it! Hmm, wonder if that means my girls will follow in my footsteps, since I’ve gifted them similar sets. My oldest already shows an interest by asking for a sewing machine for Christmas.
So glad I know where to get awesome clothes patterns. But back to jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings are all great ideas for DIY jewelry. You can even sublimate! Stay tuned to see what I learned from Sublimation Camp this year!
Materials needed:
- Beads of different colors and shapes
- Jewelry wire or string
- Clasp
- Pliers
Step-by-step instructions:
- String the beads onto the jewelry wire or string, creating a pattern or design of your choice.
- Attach the clasp to the ends of the wire or string using pliers.
Tips and variations:
- Choose beads that match your mother’s birthstone or favorite color.
- Add charms or pendants to the jewelry to make it more unique.
Shower Your Mom with DIY Flower Bouquets
You can gift a mom with fresh flowers without spending a ton of money on a professionally arranged bouquet. If you have access to a colorful garden, pick a variety of flowers – either in mom’s favorite colors or favorite blooms.
If you can’t access fresh flowers from a garden, you can buy a bouquet from a local retail store. Or if your special mom doesn’t mind artificial plants, a better way to create a DIY flower bouquet is with faux flowers. They’ll never die! Attach a handwritten note and you have a simple easy gift for last-minute planning.
Materials needed:
- Assorted flowers
- Green foliage
- Floral tape
- Ribbon or twine
Step-by-step instructions:
- Arrange the flowers and foliage into a bouquet, making sure to mix and match colors and textures.
- Wrap the floral tape around the stems to hold the bouquet together.
- Tie a ribbon or twine around the stems to finish the look.
Tips and variations:
- Use flowers that have special significance to your mother.
- Add a personalized note or message to the bouquet.
Help Accent Home Decor with Homemade Candles
If you’re interested in a side hobby that you can double up as an extra source of income, getting into candle making can be a fun and lucrative project. Candles can be a practical gift that you can add to gift baskets for apartment therapy or a luxury item to invoke a spa-like feel.
Many people feel nervous about making homemade candles. But it can be a fun way to spend some extra time getting your crafting fix. And the best part is you can use what you don’t give away or sell, so there’s never a waste of materials!
Materials needed:
- Candle wax
- Fragrance oil
- Candle wicks
- Candle jars or containers
- Double boiler
Step-by-step instructions:
- Melt the candle wax in a double boiler.
- Add fragrance oil to the melted wax and stir well.
- Pour the wax into the candle jars or containers.
- Insert the candle wicks into the center of the wax, making sure they are straight.
- Let the candles cool and harden.
Tips and variations:
- Use decorative jars or containers to make the candles more visually appealing.
- Use scents that your mother likes, such as lavender or vanilla.
Make Her Feel Beautiful with Relaxing Bath Bombs
It’s no secret that moms love all things to do with beauty and bathing, especially if it combines relaxation. Did you know it’s super easy to make homemade bath bombs? Learning how to make this simple beauty product can keep you in popularity around all holiday times once everyone realizes how great you are at making them.
You can even sell them on sites like Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce, and in-person craft shows. If you don’t have a studio, DIY bath bombs and homemade bath salts can be made on your dining table or in your living room as an easy project and a great way to incorporate mom’s favorite scent.
Materials needed:
- Baking soda
- Citric acid
- Epsom salt
- Essential oil
- Food coloring
- Water
- Mold (muffin tin, cookie cutters, etc.)
- Mason jar – for salts
- Wooden spoons – for salts
Step-by-step instructions:
- Mix baking soda, citric acid, and Epsom salt in a bowl.
- Add a few drops of essential oil and food coloring to the mixture.
- Gradually add water to the mixture, mixing until the consistency is similar to wet sand.
- Pack the mixture into a mold, pressing firmly.
- Let the bath bombs dry and harden overnight.
Tips and variations:
- Add dried flowers or herbs to the mixture for an extra touch of luxury.
- Use different molds to create different shapes and sizes of bath bombs.
Make a Jar of Yummy Lip Balm for Multiple Mothers
You can make an adorable DIY lip balm for the mothers in your life with natural ingredients. I love to make a big batch and then divide it up for different people.
You can add different flavors to make it taste like a sweet treat. Or if you don’t want to use tasty treats for flavor ideas, you can go with something more natural like unflavored or herbal.
Materials needed:
- Beeswax
- Coconut oil
- Essential oil
- Lip balm tubes or containers
Step-by-step instructions:
- Melt the beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture.
- Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or containers.
- Let the lip balm cool and harden.
Tips and variations:
- Use different essential oils to create different scents.
- Add a drop of food coloring to the mixture to create a tinted lip balm.
Show Your Love with Sayings on a Shirt
Custom shirts is the first thing I started dabbling in crafts. I won’t even lie and say that I’m awesome at it. B/C, seriously, I’m mediocre at best. But all the experiences – I refuse to consider them failures – will come in handy.
I’m writing a book about home-based careers, and I use a whole chapter to talk about what I’ve learned and how to prevent others from experiencing the same issues. And I’m making it a photo book so I can still use all the materials and paper craft projects I’ve attempted and ruined.
Because I feel like shirts were the first baby of this business venture, I want to say happy mother’s day to all the ladies out there. So, comment HMD and drop the ages of your kids and I’ll send you a free Motherhood bundle that you can use for your crafts or for growing your business. Or click here and drop your email and get an instant download.
Need help building your online store? Sign up for my email list to keep up with my updates and get a free template for a family planner. It’s a good option to join now, as I’ll be hosting a free 7-Day Stock Your Store Challenge to help you get a store stocked and launched with 100 digital products. It’s going to be so much fun so don’t miss out!
Materials needed:
- Plain T-shirt or sweatshirt
- Fabric paint or markers
- Stencils or freehand drawing
- Card stock
- Heat press
- Vinyl
- Sublimation print or infusible ink (use a free pattern off your bundle)
- Tie-dye paint or spray
Step-by-step instructions:
- Place a piece of cardboard inside the shirt to prevent bleeding.
- Use stencils or freehand drawing to create a design on the shirt with fabric paint or markers.
- Let the paint or markers dry completely.
Tips and variations:
- Use a shirt in your mother’s favorite color.
- Create a design that is meaningful or sentimental to your mother.
- If using sublimation, you can only use polyester fabric – or a sublimation spray if using cotton.
- And sublimation only works on light colored shirts (I love this explanatory video by Jennifer Maker)
- You’ll need a heat press if using sublimation. You can apply most vinyl with an iron.
Treat Your Mum To Tricked Out Tumblers
Tumblers have become a new hobby of mine and it’s actually pretty freaking easy. The first few I made were with infusible ink. But I also made one with a sublimation pattern of swirled green and gold with a glitter rim. I customized it by adding Momma across the middle.
And low and behold, it turned out pretty freaking amazing. I just ordered an 80-piece sublimation bundle, which includes more tumbler blanks, flags, earrings and keychains, mouse pads, and some other cool stuff I’ll enjoy using for Mother’s Day craft presents.
Need a tumbler sublimation design? Pick up this sublimation tumbler bundle for only $1.99 using the code “Mother’s Day.”
Materials needed:
- Stainless steel tumbler
- Or sublimation blank tumbler or coffee mug
- Vinyl decal or stencil
- Sublimation print or infusible ink
- Etching cream
Step-by-step instructions:
- Apply the vinyl decal or stencil to the tumbler, making sure it is centered and adhered well.
- Apply a thick layer of etching cream to the exposed area of the tumbler.
- Let the cream sit for a few minutes, following the instructions on the package.
- Rinse off the cream with water and remove the vinyl decal or stencil.
- Wash the tumbler thoroughly before using.
Tips and variations:
- Use different colored vinyl or stencils to create different designs
- You can also substitute vinyl for sublimation if you have a subli-printer or infusible ink sheets
- Sublimation tumblers and mugs require a sublimation coating
Wrapping Up – Making a Homemade Gift For Mother’s Day Shows You Care
Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to express your love and gratitude to your mother for all that she has done for you. While I urge you to tell your mother – and dad – how much she means to you often, it’s a necessity to do so on Mother’s Day. The woman went through excruciating pain and put her body through hell to bring you into this world. Celebrate her for the fierce warrior she is by skipping the gift cards and surprising her with a homemade Mother’s Day gift from the heart.
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Get this Mom frame to create a custom picture for your special mother. It’s easily editable in Canva.