What should I buy mom? If you hear these four little words of hers and find yourself still empty-handed with just a few days left until Mother's Day, know that we're here to help. Despite your best intentions to plan ahead, choose the perfect gift, and shower her with all the gratitude you can expect from her mother, things don't always go the way you envision. Still, it's never too late to get or make a gift that your mom will appreciate.
We've got ideas for everything from homemade gifts you can make in minutes to easy recipes that will wow her in no time. We also have templates for writing custom girlfriend cards. She raised you to be resourceful and think on your feet, so I'm sure she won't mind if you put those skills into practice. Simply put, don't worry if her Mother's Day approaches this year. Read this article to find meaningful ways to celebrate your mom.
flower soak
ryan riebe
Create this aromatic infusion by adding dried roses, calendula, and blue cornflowers with essential oils, mineral-rich Epsom salt, and pink Himalayan salt. Glass flutes with cork caps and custom labels make these bath staples perfect for gifts.
charm necklace
Yasu + Junko
Get creative and transform durable ribbons and vintage chains with new baubles and charms that match your mom's birthstone, zodiac sign, or other special motifs.
painted terracotta pots
Addy Jewel
Use painter's tape to draw a pattern on the terracotta pot and draw a picture between the lines. Gift her a new houseplant from your work.
paper tulips
Aaron Dyer
Flowers are a surefire way to make your mom happy on her special day. To make this craft, download the template, print it on cardstock, and cut out each pattern with scissors.
For each tulip, lightly trace the petals onto pink coverstock or heavy paper. Cut it out with scissors and make a cut along the mark. Connect the two shapes by sliding the bottom slit from one shape to the top slit of the other.
For the stems, cut 18-inch lengths of 16-gauge green cloth-wrapped floral wire. Apply glue to one end of the wire, fix it to the bottom of the petal and let it dry. Trace the leaf onto the green parchment and cut it out with sharp scissors. Attach the leaf near the bottom of the stem with double-sided tape and fold the base of the leaf along the flower wire. Slip the stem through the leaves of a potted tulip bulb and press only the tip into the bulb to secure it.
balloon bouquet
Seth Smoot
Give your girlfriend the ultimate surprise on Mother's Day morning with this lovely bouquet of flowers. Print the letters on cardstock using the template, cut them out, and punch a hole in the top of each one. Use bread twine to tie the letters to her three biodegradable helium-filled balloons. Finally, secure the balloons to mom's chair or bed, spaced a little apart. May she have her best day ever. It doesn't get more creative than this. Her cheerful display makes her levitate.
bedroom service
pernille roof
Let's be honest: even a bowl of cereal tastes better when it's made with love or made by someone else. All you really need is a steady hand to milk her (though if you'd prefer a more involved method, we can offer some suggestions). Spread cinnamon sugar on toast to tell mom you love her in a special way. Bonus points if you pair it with a yogurt parfait with fruit on the bottom and hearts on top as a delicious side dish.
new school heirloom
james ransom
Is your mom more interested in creating than consuming? That way, you can forego real flowers for her this year and give her a gift she'll use for the rest of her life. In the afternoon, join her at her home for a mother-daughter pin-making session using her favorite fabrics. Beautiful flowers are more than just heirlooms, they help mom dress up for special occasions or simply decorate the home year-round.
candy flower cupcake
Aaron Dyer
Moms with a sweet tooth will be doubly impressed by the taste and gorgeousness of these adorable candy-topped cupcakes. Each one is made to look like a different flower, such as a dahlia, daisy, garden rose, or geranium. What's the most special part about these sweet treats? They're easy to make and delicious to eat. Simply cut up gummy bears and add them in artistic arrangements on top of frosted cupcakes for a delicious dessert.
screen (and face) time
Raymond Homme
When you were little, you had all the time in the world to spend with your mom. From the little moments to the big ones, the two of you are sure to have made lasting memories next to each other. You can show her how much you love her by planning a special evening for the two of you. Enjoy your favorite movies and homemade popcorn for a memorable Mother's Day.
crafternoon tea
Raymond Homme
Fill a sachet with a mix of her favorite loose teas or scribble a heartfelt message on a custom tea tag. When she goes to make beer every day, she'll be reminded of how much you care.
Choose a loose tea and create your favorite blend. Place 2 tablespoons toward the top edge of the cheesecloth square. Roll up the cheesecloth. Gather the bundled ends into a bag and tie it with cotton string. Next, use a craft punch and cardboard to make tags for each flavor. Punch a hole in the center of each tag. Thread the tea bag string through each tag and tie. He cuts two rectangles from cardstock to fit the top and bottom of the gift box. Trim the corners to create flaps. Glue the bottom rectangle to the inside of the box and glue and label the tag to the top cardstock rectangle. Glue it to the inside lid of the box.
DIY beauty
Anusha Rajeswaran
She rarely treats herself, so give your mom a gift so she can spend part of her special day prioritizing self-care. This scrub should be effective. Best of all, you don't even have to leave the kitchen to gather ingredients and supplies. Green tea is not only good for drinking, but it also has antioxidant properties that remove impurities and improve dry skin. This soothing exfoliant calls for a few other natural ingredients, all of which pack a powerful punch: sugar, coconut oil, and dried rose petals.
To make it, gather your ingredients: 1/2 cup organic white sugar, 1/2 cup coconut oil, green tea tea bags, dried rose petals, a mixing bowl, a glass jar, and a craft stick. Cut open a green tea bag and combine the black tea, sugar, and dried rose petals in a mixing bowl. Add coconut oil to the mixture and mix with a craft stick until it forms clumps. Pour into a glass jar and seal tightly to preserve freshness.
“Mom, I love you” Strawberry
Aaron Dyer
Chocolate covered strawberries are the ultimate semi-sweet indulgence, but it's probably not something she would make for herself every day. Give her a treat that she might not have known her mother wanted. It's not difficult to arrange the kitchen. Be sure to have some melted chocolate, a piping bag, and some fresh fruit with a tip to write “I love you” on it. Mom will love them and her sentiments they spell out in edible letters.
wrap her flowers
Aaron Dyer
In the time it takes to wrap a store-bought gift, you can download and print patterned paper to hold your hand-picked bouquet of flowers. Print your favorite design on vellum, cut it out as needed, and wrap it around your floral arrangement (bonus points if it comes from your own backyard). Secure the paper with her double-sided tape and you'll have a beautiful gift she can call her own.
hoop earrings
Raymond Homme
Only a few minutes left until your visit with your mom? You can never go wrong with handmade jewelry. We think statement earrings that she can wear over and over are best. All you need is a length of gold wire, some household tools, and any cylindrical object you can find, such as a spice jar, shot glass, or spool of thread.
write it on paper
Dana Gallagher
When it comes to handmade gifts, nothing says “I love you” like a card that says “I love you.” Please write from the heart. Then I guarantee she won't want anything else. To make tie-dye cards, fill a plastic container with 6 inches of boiling water, add the dye, and stir. Let the solution settle so that no bubbles remain on the surface. Hold the paper straight and dip it into the dye solution until you reach the desired line. Leave the paper in the dye until you get the color you want.
garden cloche
Aaron Dyer
With fresh flowers, teacups, plates, and a glass dome, you have everything you need to create a stunning floral arrangement. Bundle a few bright flowers together, place them in a cup and place them under a bell-shaped cloche. Place some flower clay on the bottom of the flower pin frog and secure it inside a small sturdy cup. Fill the cup about three-quarters of the way with water. Next, cut out flowers and greenery and paste them on the pins. Place the cup on a plate and cover with a cloche.
pop up card
Raymond Homme
Whether you're a mom near or far, this gorgeous greeting card will make your flower delivery special. Flat cards blossom into three-dimensional arrangements that are far more unexpected than a vase of roses. Although it looks complicated, it can be made with just a few pieces of paper and some cleverly placed tape. To express your gratitude to your mother, make a gift by choosing paper in her favorite color. Make this card even more special by adding some loving words.
heart embroidery photo
johnny fogg
Create a gift that keeps on giving on mom's big day. This day is about celebrating all the things she does for you, and she probably wants you to join in too. You can achieve this by placing your precious photos of the two of you in a frame. To make it even more memorable, you can add embroidered hearts for her to truly express your love and create a present she can look back on for years to come.
floral mothers day card
Aaron Dyer
Create a floral Mother's Day card with a subtle twist on stationery that she'll absolutely love. Best of all, this craft is super easy. First, download her one of the clipart patterns. Print your desired design on cardstock, cut it out, and fold it in half to fit into a standard card envelope. This homemade masterpiece is a keepsake she can keep for years to come.
sleeping mask
Raymond Homme
Mom will appreciate anything you make, but she'll appreciate a relaxing gift even more. So why not give the gift of a custom sleep mask? In other words, it's in card format. To make this craft, print the sleep mask clip art onto card stock. Write a message on the back or decorate it as you like. I used glitter for the eyelids and pipe cleaners for the edges. Punch holes on both sides and thread the ribbon ties through.
cloth punch mother's day card
gabriella imperatori pen
Let's make a card for mom using cloth touch. Start by punching the dough flowers: Place the dough in a shallow tray. Use a paintbrush to apply enough fabric reinforcement to avoid soaking the fabric. Let dry for about 1 hour. Repeat with remaining dough. Using a craft punch, punch out the petals and leaves as close to the fabric as possible. Adhere only the center of the leaf and flower to the card, making sure the tips curl upwards. Draw the stem and message by hand.