Creative Mother’s Day Gifts
What can you give to the woman who makes the best meatloaf and taught you how to tie your shoes? Often, children feel that no gift is enough to thank the woman who loves them like no other, while for mother’s the humblest of gifts are treasured.
Motherhood, when done with love, (yes, some have wounds that interfered) is irreplaceable and unforgettable. Here are some ideas to help make Mother’s Day special.
Make a Book of Memories What is something your mother loves? Happy memories of your childhood!Assemble a photo album filled with some of your family’s favorite moments. You can get fancy and buy supplies at a craft store, use an online service, or simply print out photographs and put them into the folder.
Breakfast in Bed This is an idea that never gets old—if your mom eats breakfast that is. Make something special and include a card and a flower in a vase. Whatever you make she’ll love that you went to the trouble. And don’t forget the cleanup.
You! You are a precious gift in your mother’s life so be a gift to her with your time. Decide that you will love to do whatever makes her happy. Relax— don’t be in a hurry— and turn off your phone.
Take her to her favorite place. I always pick the zoo. My children grew bored with that place by the time they were teens (overexposure perhaps), but they are always willing to go with me on Mother’s Day. I’m not sure if I really like zoos as much as I think I do or if all those happy childhood memories have clouded my perceptions. Either way, it’s always a day I treasure.
Recreate a childhood photo Look through old photographs and see if you can create a similar pose and outfits with your sibling and surprise your mother with the past and present photos in a frame.
Make a coupon book Include coupons to do some of the household chores that will make her life easier, a coffee date, weeding the garden, washing her car, etc.
Write a Letter. Express heartfelt appreciation and fill it with some of your favorite childhood memories with Mom.
Ask her what she would like. Surprises are fun but so is getting something you’ve been wanting. Ask for several suggestions so in the end, it will still be a surprise.
Have a scavenger hunt Take mom on a scavenger hunt where at each place, she finds a note or drawing from family members expressing love and appreciation.
Put on a skit Re-enact funny moments from the past. You can also use paper or cardboard to hold up each letter in “Mother” take turns saying what each letter stands for. Sure, it’s corny but Mom will love it!
Here is an example:
“M” is for the many things you do for us.
“O” is for the way you always think about others.
“T” is for the terrific dinners you cook.
“H” is for your heart full of love.
“E” is for your eye’s always watching over us.
“R” is for rejoice! We rejoice in the gift of our mother.
Spiritual Gifts
Here are some gift ideas especially for Catholic Moms who love their faith.
Pray Do an hour of adoration or pray a rosary together if it’s something that will make your mom happy. Or give her a card that says you’ve done those things for her.
Make a booklet of Scripture. Compile these 15 Bible verses to encourage and inspire mothers into a little booklet. You can personalize it with pictures and drawings and your own thoughts to your mother.
Sign her up for Club 11, an online community for women,
to grow spiritually as they seek to understand their purpose in life
as a wife, mother and friend. (There is an $11 a month enrollment fee.)
Amazing Grace for Mothers, it’s a Catholic best seller and classic that keeps inspiring mothers with stories that range from dramatic-I-can’t-believe-that-happened, to humorous and inspirational.
This year it falls on the Feast of Fatima so consider getting something with Our Lady of Fatima, an image or rosary or jewelry The Catholic Company and Aquinas and More have dozens of Fatima gift ideas,
Get her a beautiful image of her Heavenly Mother from EWTN Religious Catalogueor your local Catholic gift store, so that she feels Our Blessed Mother watching over her.
Enroll Mom in a year of Masses. Many mission organizations offer Masse enrollments, or you can check with your parish office to have one of the Masses at your church said for her.
Whatever the day holds, whatever gift you give, pray for your Mother before you go to sleep. Thank God for the joy and blessing she has brought you and as well as the challenges that made you stronger. And for those that feel let down and conflicted on Mother’s Day, but yourself a present.
