Homemade Gift Ideas for Mom

By Julie Diamond 

​Being well into the second month of quarantine, it can be challenging to keep track of the days. May is upon us which means Mother’s Day is approaching quickly (May 10th). Since the kids are not in school, Mother’s Day art or poetry will not be coming home this week. Here are some ideas to make thoughtful gifts with the kids at home (and also creative ways to teach them art, math, and literacy too):
1. Painted Print: Commemorate your year with a footprint or handprint painted art. Be sure to list your child’s age and year.
2. Popcorn: Make a batch of this caramel or cheesy popcorn then put it in a nicely decorated gift bag: http://www.designsponge.com/2016/10/in-the-kitchen-with-butter-scotchs-dark-stormy-caramel-corn.html
3. Letter with Picture: Get your child to write Mom a personal letter including stories and words about why they think she is special. For a finishing touch, add a picture of your child to the letter.
4. Homemade Sweets & Handwritten Note: Make a cake using cake mix from a box if you are not comfortable with baking. Or try your hand at these amazing cookies and use some math with your child and double the recipe. Trust me you will want extras!
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/peanut-butter-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies/
Then have your child write a sweet note or poem to pair with the baked good.
5. Crochet/Knit a Scarf: Teaching your child and/or yourself how to crochet or knit is a great lesson about patience, making mistakes and persistence. 
6. Colourful Bobby Pins: Have your child use nail polish to paint a few booby pins and use glitter to make it even fancier. 
7. Painted Jar & Flowers: With a mason jar, some paint and flowers from the backyard or home garden centres (which open today in many cities) you can have a beautiful gift for spring. You can create an ombre look with spray paint or do a checkered pattern. 
As an extension, buy a plant (instead of cut flowers) and record the growth over the month. You can keep a journal and make it a special project you and work on together as a family. 
8. Ten Things I Love About You Book: Show Mom all the reasons why you love her! Make a book of coupons to show your affection or make a book with each page listing something you love about her. This idea is sure to be a keepsake Mom will keep for a long time.

Note: If Mother’s Day is a tough day for your family because of the absence of a mother or grandmother, you can plan the day doing something special together and/or make many of these gifts for each other.