It's that time of year again!
It's time to show the mother in your life just how special she is... but what will you do to show your love?
Believe it or not, you don't need to spend a fortune to make mum smile this Mother's Day! There's plenty of DIYs and gestures that you can do that will mean more than any gift you could buy in the shops.
Give these a try and we guarantee that she won't be disappointed...
Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in March 2016 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in March 2020.
1. Give her an internet or social media lesson
Time is so much more valuable than gifts. If your mum wants to learn how to use Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or any other website, spend the day setting up an account and guiding her through how to use it.
Write down step-by-step instructions in a new notebook and make sure she's feeling confident with her new skills.
2. Bake her a sweet treat
Nothing says 'effort' quite like some homemade goodies. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Why not try some Rice Krispie treats or maybe a sponge cake? Decorate it with your mum's favourite fruit or sweets for a custom gift.
3. Give her a relaxing massage
You don't need to spend a load of money buying a professional massage. Plenty of oil, a candlelit room and a quick watch of some YouTube tutorials to master the basics and you should be able to give her a relaxing massage.
Even a scalp massage or foot rub will be a nice treat for hard-working Mums. Why not treat her to a pedicure while you're at it?
4. Make her a homecooked meal
She's made you thousands of meals growing up. Why not return the favour by having her over for lunch or dinner? Prepare her favourite meal and make sure you do all the washing up - don't let her lift a finger!
5. Whip up a homemade body scrub
If she loves her skincare products, this DIY body scrub makes a very thoughtful gift. Not only will this gift nourish her skin, but it'll also give her an excuse to take some me-time. Just add ribbon and a tag for those essential final touches.
6. Replace a card with a handwritten letter
Mother's Day cards are lovely, but why not go the extra mile with a thoughtfully penned letter instead? It can include anything you like, from memorable or funny stories to reasons why you're thankful for having such a fab Mum. Unless she's not a fan of overly sentimental gifts, I'm sure she'll love the thought put into this.
7. Make some DIY hand warmers
If she's always feeling the cold or enjoys walks with the dog, a pair of DIY hand warmers will come in handy. Pretty and practical, but you don't have to be super handy with a needle either. Check out RaeAnnKelly.com for all the details.
8. Put together a 'Mother's Day in a jar'
Make your own hamper or jar full of lovely treats you know she will love. You don't need to spend lots of money, here are some ideas for what to include:
- A box of her favourite tea or bottle of wine
- New nail polish or mascara
- A packet of biscuits or chocolates
- Pair of comfy socks
- A scented candle
- Sleep mask
9. Give her the precious gift of SLEEP
If she's a Mum suffering from complete lack of sleep, give her what she wants: A LIE IN. Let her sleep all morning and all afternoon if she wants.
Make sure all distractions are well out of the way and take care of any chores that she'd normally be worrying about. If you're feeling especially nice, you can even make her breakfast in bed, too.
10. Make a painted mason jar picture frame
Combine two classic Mother's Day gifts to spectacular effect. A beautiful picture frame jar isn't hard to make and won't break the bank as all you need is an empty jar, a photo, and some paint. Check out Home Stories A to Z for details on how to make your own version.
11. Make a video for her
This is a fantastic idea if you're totally broke or live really far away. You can create a beautiful montage video from your personal video clips and photos, and add her favourite music and add different effects.
12. Up your breakfast in bed game with egg baskets
If all she wants is breakfast in bed, make sure it's one to remember. Heart-shaped egg baskets are so easy to make yet look super impressive. Give them a try!
13. Try a Button Heart photo frame
If magnets sound to crafty for you, let Rich Little Things show you how to make this beautiful button heart frame. You can add a meaningful quote inside or keep it simple with just a collection of buttons. It's cheap as chips - just pick up a frame and some buttons from your local haberdashery - and put it together in under 30 minutes.
14. Make beautiful photo magnets
You say it every year but end up spending too much money at M&S, but this really is the year to make something homemade! With just a spare afternoon, a few household items and magnets you could make beautiful photo magnets. They're so nice, you'll want to make them for everyone you know!
Have you gifted your mum something special for Mother's Day before? We'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below!
rice krispie link did not work for me
Hi Jackie, sorry about that. I've fixed the link now but here it is - https://experthometips.com/make-these-strawberry-rice-krispies-treats-today
Hi Anuska, I am very interested in your No 11 sugestion of "making a video", but would not have a clue how to start. Would you have a link? Many thanks.! Philly.
Hi Assumpta! If you're looking for an easy way to make a video, there are lots of mobile apps you can try. Something like Splice or InShot might work well for you.