2 Home Improvement Projects that Make Great Mother's Day Gifts

Mother's Day is a special time to show just how much you care. Your mom not only brought you into this world, but cared for, nurtured, taught and loved you as many years as you have been on this earth.

Cards and flowers are nice, but sometimes that just isn't enough. Even if your mother is simple to please, you may want to switch things up a little. Try putting a different spin on Mother's Day this year. Give mom a gift that will last much longer than flowers and cards. Here are two DIY (Do-It-Yourself) home improvement gifts you can give mom on Mother's Day, that will not only be helpful, but will forever remind her of your appreciation.

DIY Mother's Day Home Improvement Gift #1: Build Mom A New Deck
Every mother needs a quiet relaxing place she can go to at the end of a long day. To give your mother this spot, consider building her a deck for Mother's Day. This is a relatively simple, yet very thoughtful home improvement project. The main supplies for this will be a power drill, lumber, waterproof treatment (depending on your lumber selection), and deck screws.

Instruction manuals and deck design ideas can be found at most hardware and home improvement stores, such as The Home Depot or even neighborhood hardware stores. Smaller manuals are generally free at these type of establishments. If you will need the instructions more detailed, you can also purchase books or magazines containing the needed information. If you want to step it up a notch this Mother's Day, also purchase supplies like a park bench, an end table, and some potted trees to ensure mom really does get that relaxing spot right away. Be sure to personalize the area to her unique taste for the best results.

DIY Mother's Day Home Improvement Gift #2: Plant A Mother's Garden
All mothers love to have something that reminds them of their children, especially once the children have grown up and moved out. Even if the children are still inside the house, memories are still a great idea. A Mother's Day garden is a wonderful gift that can create a lasting memory, as well as add appeal to mom's house.

To create this home improvement gift, first purchase a special plant or flower that represents each of your mother's children, including yourself. Next, purchase a variety of smaller flowers and plants to go in the garden. Be sure to get enough plants to cover the available gardening space. You will also need a personalized stepping stone kit for each child. These are generally sold at craft stores, such as Hobby Lobby. Feel free to also purchase other accents, such as waterfalls, river rocks, bricks, fencing, and more to create that special garden your mom will appreciate on Mother's Day and for a long time to come. Also, remember to buy any potting soil and plant food necessary.

To create the DIY Mother's Day garden, begin by first personalizing the stepping stones with the representative child's name and a special message to mom from that child. Let those dry while you are working on the rest of the Mother's Day garden gift. Any potting soil and plant food needed should go down before the planting begins. The flowers/plants that represent each child should be planted first. Be sure to leave a space in front of each for the stepping stones to go in once they dry. For a more meaningful DIY gift, let each child put in (or help put in) the plant that represents him or her. Be sure mom knows this aspect about her special Mother's Day garden.

Next, plant all the filler plants as desired. The following step will be filling in any mulch, river rocks, stepping stones, and other accessories. Lastly, water the garden. Before presenting the garden to mom, be sure that it is arranged exactly as you want her to see it. This DIY home improvement project is one that many moms would be very touched to received. For even more memories, snap pictures while creating the garden, as well as finished pictures, and even mom's reaction to receiving the Mother's Day garden gift. Put the pictures in a scrapbook done with a gardening theme for the best presentation effect.