Mother's Day

Hello! I had the same issue coming up with a present for my husband's and my mom. My girls (3 and 1) like to make things, so I bought terra cotta flower pots and had them paint them any way they wanted. We bought flowers (they picked them out) and planted them in the pots. They were inexpensive gifts, but I know that the grandmas will appreciate them more than something that we would have picked up at the store.

S. :-)

Would you consider donating to her favorite charity in her name? We are in the same boat with my Mom and I find she truly appreciates when we give to her favorite charity and then just have the kids make some handmade cards or craft. Hope this helps.

My favorite from my husband/kids was a garden stepping stone with my infant daughter's footprints in it and glass pushed into the cement to make a design.

Stepping stones with the kids handprints in them and then let the kids add their own decorations (colored rocks spelling their name, etc) makes a great gift.

Have Fun!

After I graduated High School (ummm 12 years ago...) I was just starting work and trying to do things on my own and came across this article about Mother's Day ideas! I found the perfect gift and hardly spent anything...and my mom still has it!

I got a large clear vase and put colored stones in the bottom of it (you can put whatever you want)and then I cut squares of papers. On each paper I wrote one memory or something about my mom. For example...I remember when I was 9 and you completly surprised me with a surprise bday party...just some memories you have and even your boys have, you can write them down for them. They can even draw a picture of their favorite memory or favorite thing to do with grandma. Each year I make about another dozen memories to add to the "Memory Jar" (those words I painted on the outside) and it is so nice to go through them and laugh and cry about the things we have been through. She keeps it on her piano and still reads one every day. This has been a source of joy for her over the past 12 years, especially this past year when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was stuck at home for awhile, it really helped lift her spirits when she needed it. I hope this helps!

Hi K.-
Not sure if this will work for you, having small children, and not really knowing your situation and location....but anyway, for my mom's 60th birthday my sisters and I (5 girls) took my mom to a murder mystery dinner train in Bardstown, KY. It was about a 3 hr drive. One of my sisters and I actually checked it out before we all went, and loved it!! My sister and I stayed over night, but when we all went, we came home after it was over. We live in Cincinnati, and it wasn't too bad of a drive home afterwards. It is kind of pricy (actually went up quite a bit since we went), but I would have to say, if you and your mother enjoy that kind of thing, it was well worth it!! Obviously you wouldn't be able to take her before mother's day, but you could give her the tickets for a treat later on. I'll put the website on, so you can check it out.

http://www.kydinnertrain.com/

There is another one closer to home at the Hamilton County Park District, that is much cheaper. I have to say that although the dinner was phenominal, the entertainment was extremely poor. However, I think it was just the acting company on that particular night, because a friend of mine raved over the ones they have been to.

http://www.greatparks.org/events/murdermysterydinners.htm

We also gave her a photo/memory box where we put a whole bunch of pics of us, old and new, all over it and decopauged(sp??) on top of them. It turned out very cute. We put strips of paper inside with memories we have of growing up, but you could always just put put pics inside.

Sorry, I just thought of another one that goes along with the hand print pots. I am a teacher, and one of the cutest gifts I received was a Happy Summer pot. The child painted it, and inside was stones (like aquarium type)and pens that he had made into flowers. They took a bic pen (the white ones, not the clear ones) and wrapped the green floral tape around it and attached an artificial flower at the top. Then they put the pens inside the pot. It was a cute and useful desk top decoration.

Sorry about the rambling on, hope this helps!!
K.

My mom has done SO much for me these past few years. She's been my free babysitter and now she's letting me live with her while my husband is at boot camp. She likes the homemade gifts from my kids and the pictures frames and such, but I just felt it wasn't enough this year. My brother and I are going to get her a Coach purse this year for Mother's day. I know it's something she wants and will use. I know Mother's Day isn't about pricey material things, but this year I felt like I had to go above and beyond the norm.
She also collects Willow Tree and I plan on getting her another thing to add to her collection.
Something she really wants was what I chose this year!

If she likes to garden, how about they plant her a nice bunch of flowers. You can buy the flowers, then replant them in a nice pot. Another idea is to make a stepping stone. Most hobby stores have the kit, and the boys can make it and add special touches. Also, a herb garden is nice for the kitchen.

We once did an apron for mom. I bought a plain white apron. the kids call her mama, so we wrote that across top (could have kids paint, use finger prints) then the put hand prints on bottom and used thumb prints and made bugs, bumble bees, lady bugs in paint.

My family found that my mom appreciates it when we DO something for her, instead of buy her something. One year all the little ones bought flowers, and the adults spent the day doing yard work and planting the flowers. The little ones can help plant the flowers. That's a gift that will keep on giving. Or you can DO something else, like put a photo album together with the kid's help, or clean their house (or a room)letting the little ones buy her a feather duster, but the kids use it that day. Another time we bought my parents (combined father & mother's day gift) a new outside table & chairs, and cleaned their other existing outside furniture. Just some ideas that might help you think of something. Good luck. I think I'm doing the flower thing again this year! She really loves & appreciates it.

Last year My children made stepping stones for their grandmas. You can buy the kits at any craft store. They put their hand prints in them and then decorated them with the mosaic pieces. The grandmas loved them and display them in their flower gardens by their front doors.

Does she like to have flowers planted in her yard. My mom
really likes pansy's so that's what I usually get her, my
mother-in-law likes gerainmes. but it doesn't have to be those
two. Or you can put them in a pot for her. There are a lot
neat ways you can decorate the pot, that's something your
sons would have fun doing. you can probably find all sorts
of ideas on the web. Good luck. Hope I helped you out some.

K.

What I did a few years ago was get one of those fabric boxes (inexpensive at Old Time Pottery) or you could get a pretty candy jar. Make a "Memory Jar" for your mom. I wrote down funny, serious, good memories for my mom and put them in the box. If you have siblings, ask them for their memories too. You can continue to add memories to the box. I did this about 7 years ago for my mom and have added memories over the years. Right now, my mom is in end stage lung cancer (from asbestos, never smoked). During my last visit, I pulled out the memory box and sat on her hospital bed and read them to her. We had many laughs and tears. It's something very simple. After Mom passes away, I will still add memories for my dad to read and then will keep the boxn myself once my dad is gone. Another idea is to have a "blessings jar". Make a point, to add a blessing to the jar each day. Then after so many months go through and read them. Or if you are having a bad day.

I went to Michaels and found a package with two coffee mugs that came with markers. I let each of my kids decorate one for my mother in law however they wanted to. They loved it! Plus, I put it in a basket with some silk flowers, candy, and her favorite scented candle.

There was a post about this a few days ago, and one idea on there really struck me as neat....I bought some small planters and some paint. I am going to have my boyz paint their handprints on the pots, then go to a greenhouse and buy some nice flowers to put in each pot...I love this idea and think Mine and his mom and grandma's will love it!!!!!!

Only a few days away, gotta get to work on that =)

Happy Early Mothers Day to all!!!!!!!!

GOOD LUCK

We do the same thing every year for my mom and mom in law. I take my kids to our local nursery and they pick out a plant for each of the grandmas. The grandmas love it and look forward to the new (and sometimes unusual) selection they are presented every year. It is funny how even my youngest gets involved in choosing!

My mother is the same way...doesn't need a thing. The kids and I pick out some flowers that we know she likes. We arrange with her schedule to help plant the flowers, pull weeds and put down mulch. The kids love helping her and she gets her flower beds done all in one day. Now, if I could have that much help at home I would be happy....hopefully my kids will do the same for me when I am a grandmother!

I don't know a grandmother yet who doesn't love to have pictures of the grandchildren and a homemade frame to encase it would be great. Have the boys pick out (or take) a picture of them doing something they really love, let them make the frames! Good way to give a gift they had a hand in creating and can be proud of and giving grandmother something she can display and love at the same time.
Something nice from you would be a day with her doing something she really likes best, gardening, shopping, a movie and dinner together, family time if she is close by and it can be done.
P. R

Good Afternoon K.,
The most memorable gift I received from our oldest son was a home made card and with the lovey verse that he had written that read Have a Happy Mothers Day To MY WONDERFUL MOTHER YOU ARE SPEIAL TO ME. LOVE TOMMY
Since your son's love crafts take a family picture and have them decorate around the edges of the frame. I guarentee you she will love it and it will last for a long time.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU K.

I often make my Mom a t-shirt with my kids hand prints on them. She LOVES them. You can also stamp their hands on a plate or an artisits palate. You can make their hands into a flower, animal a heart etc. I recently made a t-shirt and made their hands into individual hearts and asked them why they loved their Grandma. Their responses were precious: Because she buys me stuff, because she lives with Poppy...etc. My Mom loves these shirts and is always asking for more.

You can search on line for ideas for things to make your handprints into.

Good Luck

You've gotten some great ideas here but I thought I'd share a bunch more. I have 4 pages full of great Mother's Day ideas on my large daycare website. Maybe you can find a new ideas here. http://stepbystepcc.com/holidays/mothersday.html

J.

I just found plantable cards at Walmart. Cards that have flower seeds woven? into the paper. The paper is also biodegradable. I plan on giving my mom a pretty planter, the dirt, & a card. I also hope that her & my son can plant them together that day & also get my son a small planter. That way, he can also have some of Grandmas flowers. I have yet to see these cards anywhere but Walmart.

I am a grandma & I would like one of those new digital photo frames. It would hold several pictures of your family. Maybe your kids could make somethimg simple to go with it or maybe do a photo skit to put on it.

http://collectionsect.com they have tons of really cute things and 99% of everything is under 20.00.

I don't know if you have gotten this suggestion, but I found the cutest craft online. I bought plain white dish towels and dish rags and matte fabric paint. My 6 year old put his hand print on the towel and my 2 year old put her hand print on the dish rag. I folded in 3rds and put the hand print on the front. I took black fabric paint(the kind in a little squeeze bottle) and wrote their name and the year on it. They turned out great and I can't wait for the grandma's to see them. They are both are both very proud of them. I also made a set for myself to hang in my kitchen.

You wash them before you paint on them and they can washed anytime after 72 hours.

I think you are on the right track as far as having the children make something. Grandmothers love items that their grandchildren have put their heart and soul into. But why not attach something personnal to it as well, like a fabulous Spa treatment? You know your mom deserves a little pampering, we all do, and BeautiControl has something special for all moms. I am a consultant for BeautiControl and would be happy to suggest some top quality Spa treatments that your mom could enjoy at home. I also have a couople Mother's Day specials going on right now so please Contact Me if interested!
Spa is all the rage so pamper your Mom this Mother's Day!
I live in the North Canton area and I do have gift items in stock available for Mother's Day!

Call Today - In stock Items are Limited!
Jennifer Friedl
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.beautipage.com/jenniferfriedl
I hope you have a Fabulous Mother's Day with your Mom!

Several photo websites (clarkcolor.com, walgreens.com, walmart.com, winkflash.com, snapfish.com) have personalized photo items that you can make. I made my Mom a photo flip book through walgreen.com and I know she'll love it. They have all sorts of different personalized items, from mugs to mouse pads to aprons to puzzles.

How about purchasing an orchid...something she can keep. Have the boys make/paint a pot to put it in. Orchids are easy to take care of and only require watering 2 times a month. If I were a mom or grandmother......I'd think that was VERY cool.

Hi K.,

I don't know if you live near one of those paint-your-own pottery places, but I went to one near my house with my kids and had them put their handprints on a cookie jar (you can do platters, plates, vases, mugs, etc.) Then since my kids are so young I decorated it, but your kids are probably old enough to paint the pieces themselves. The cookie jar is adorable and my mother-in-law will love using it after baking cookies with her grandkids!

My little guy is only 8mo but I'm doing a handprint kit for the grandmas. They'll love it! Michaels has a bunch of things similar to that which would fun for your kids to help with and make it personal...I know I'd love a gift like that!

If you have tons of digital photos you can go to snapfish or shutterfly and upload those photos and make a coffee table book. These are leather and very high quality- it looks just like a book! You add your photos and your captions and it's easy easy easy!
For like $20.00 you have a gift that will last forever!

I found the greatest gifts. My mother and grandma are the same, have everything need nothing. I ordered these picture blocks. Each block contains an etched on photo and handpainted letter, used to spell word of your choice. I chose MOM and GRANDMA. They are beautiful, I ended up ordering a set for each one of them. The mom one had pic of me & my son on a block, my bro on a separate block and sis on the other. Grandma one had pic of each grandkid on their own block. We had one extra grandkid so we had a flower put on the last block instead of a letter. Can spell out anything. Here's the link. The woman is wonderful and makes beautiful products. She also has old windows that she also makes into photo frames. Gorgeous and ships quick. Check it out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mothers-Day-Photo-Letter-Blocks-Price...

http://stores.ebay.com/Waste-Not-Recycled-Art (this is her store with all her products.)

I am a grandma with 2 g-girls living w/me. We are making home calenders (starting with this month and running thru next April) I printed out the months on card stock and they get to decorate the backside with drawings, pictures, etc. We will then punch holes in the top and loosely put yarn or pipe stem cleaners to hold them together so they can be hung to show off artwork. Just make sure the artwork is upside down to the calender on the back so everyone can enjoy the art.

K.,

I am a sales rep for BabyCrazy and though we specialize in products for children from birth through 4 y/o, we do have some great gifts for Mothers Day. Photo bracelets, mugs and picture frames. Feel free to check out my website at www.iambabycrazy.com/adecker. You can order right from my website with no minimum requirement.

Thanks,
A.

My mom is the same way--doesn't need or want anything. This year I decided to do something she nor my sisters would think of. I am sending her chocolate covered strawberries from Berry Fancy (berryfancy.com). They are having a Mother's Day Special. I know my mom (and the rest of us) are going to love them. Let me know how it goes.

How about a restaurant gift card, those are always great. Or the boys could do a "kid made" meal, which is very interesting and usually memorable.
I send flowers sometimes, or a potted plant that your boys could help plant, as I am sure being boys, that they love to dig in dirt.
Have the boys plan a picnic lunch and go to a park or the zoo/gardens.

I am a big supporter of picture frames. So I bought my mom a picture frame that has the words "mom" writter all over it and I will probably put a pic of me or my son.

Hi K.,

I love www.mypublisher.com You can download pictures into an album and they make perfect gifts! It would be too late to make one for Mother's Day this year, but for future reference...

:)D.
____@____.com

How about giving a gift card

Lots of great ideas here already, but with my daughters (and Girl Scouts) I had them trace each other's hands on pretty colored paper, cut it out, then tape/glue to green stems, for a lovely hand bouquet, with the name and date on the back. :)

Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures! Grandmothers love to have pictures to share of their grandkids! Framed pictures, mini brag books for the purse or even a picture key chain.

I'm creating a small scrapbook for my mothers, from my daughter. Creative Memories sells quick kits (scrapbook, background paper, quotes, and stickers) for $15. Your kids could even make them.

Hi, K.. I don't know if you or your mother has ever used BeautiControl products, but I am a consultant and can put together a nice package for you. We have skin care, makeup, fragrances, bath products, lotions... I would love to help you out. My name is D. Raiford and my e-mail is ____@____.com or you can call me at ###-###-####. (If we did a basket for your mother it would be cute to put drawings from your kids inside it :) )