Homemade Mother's Day Gifts for Grown-Ups to Give

Gone are the days when a big sloppy kiss was all your mom really wanted for Mother's Day. You can no longer get by with a clay heart paperweight. Your kid sister won't even let you add your name to the card she bought. If you still want to wow mom with sentiment (or if your budget is a little tight), try these homemade gifts for Mom. They are kind of like that plaster handprint you gave her in kindergarten . . . all grown up!

Utilize Your Talents

If you are a musician, write her a song. Either perform it for her live, or record it onto a CD. Or do both! That gives you something to wrap, and something to do, too! In the same vein, if you are a talented chef, baker, painter, dancer, poet, mime, sculptor, or the like, create something to show your mom you truly care. A few pointers here. Make sure you are really good at whatever you decide to present. Although Mom will most like be impressed with whatever you do, doing something poorly or embarrassing yourself, will give the rest of your family something to tease you about relentlessly in the coming years

Photo Gifts

Find a favorite photo and turn it into a great Mother's Day gift. Simply framing an enlargement and wrapping it beautifully is a nice present.

Use your computer and some magnetic printer paper (found at office supply stores) to create a personalized set of photo magnets. Grandkids make great magnet subjects. You can use the same idea for bumper stickers and window clings (the paper can also be found at office supply stores). For more personalized photo gifts (although not exactly homemade) some stores, such as Walgreens, offer a variety of items made using your photos. These include mugs and blankets.

Scrapbooks are all the rage, but if you are not that crafty, simply buy a photo album with space beside each picture place to write a caption, and fill it up with great pictures and memories. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a memory book is even better.

Sentimental Stuff

Make a love jar out of a nice clean mason jar. For a snazzier effect, use a stylish piece of crockery, or a pretty vase. Inside it, put small pieces of paper inscribed with fond childhood memories, compliments, and thank-yous. For a pretty effect use card stock cut into hearts. This makes a good group gift. The more notes the merrier. Even if it sounds a little cheesy, your Mom will enjoy reading the notes year round when she needs a pick me up.

On a similar note, write a series of notes on pretty stationary. Depending on your time, one for each month or week of the year. Inside detail a nice memory and thank your mom for whatever you are thankful for. Be nice and thoughtful in your message. Seal each note separately and date each one with an "open on" date. This is an especially nice gift for mothers who live far away.

Practical Presents

If you are old enough to need grown-up gift ideas, then your parents are probably getting on in years. This is your opportunity to give mom the gift of your time. Spend time making her lunch (and eating it with her), doing yardwork for her, cleaning her house, or taking her out. Even if your mother is perfectly capable of doing this stuff, help is usually appreciated, and it gives her some time to spend with you. Just make sure the service is wanted. If you know your packrat mother does not want anyone going through her closets, a closet cleanout would not be a nice gift.

Coupons are pretty overdone, but that is because they make great gifts and they are free. Use your computer to make up a coupon book of chores and time that you think you mom would like. Pet-sitting, cooking, cleaning, driving are all good ones. Be sure to include some fun in with the work, like a night at the movies or dinner out.

Whatever you decide to make your mom, put a lot of thought into it and do a quality job. Remember presentation counts, so wrap it nicely and spend time with your mom this Mother's Day!

Have a safe and happy Mother's Day!