DIY Mother’s Day gifts your mom will love

Still scrambling for the perfect gift for mom? Forget flowers and gift cards—here’s a handful of unique, super-thoughtful keepsakes your mom is sure to love.

Juliana Lee of Sundaesin delivers a truly unique way of showcasing your mom’s favorite photos.

“I noticed that a lot of moms like to reminisce on old photos, but it’s such a hassle to take out old photo albums to flip through,” says Lee. “So I created this idea of having cute Polaroid photo magnets to stick on the fridge for easy access!”

In addition to being uber-original, this project also won’t break the bank. It’s a smidge more involved to pull off, but the finished product is well worth it.

“You don’t need to spend a ton to impress someone you love,” adds Lee. ” Just sit down, take your time, and put in effort to create something unique to show your love.”

My siblings and I pulled this one off for my mom’s 60th birthday, and I must say—it was a huge hit. It also couldn’t have been easier. After picking up a mason jar from Michael’s, we each wrote 10 special things we love about our mom. We included everything from her amazing Italian cooking to references to inside jokes in our family.

When she opened up all the notes and read them aloud, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

This next do-it-yourself project is one brilliant hack because it gives you tons of creative freedom. Instead of dropping a bunch of cash at West Elm or Crate & Barrel, why not make mom her own personalized coffee mugs? Believe it or not, all it takes is a Sharpie, a ceramic mug, and a few minutes in the oven.

“I love this as a Mother’s Day gift because it’s a one-of-a-kind gift for mom that is unique and can say any message you want,” says Daniela Walsh of Put a Bird on It. “Every mom is different and every DIY mug is different! Mom will love the personalized touch and know it came straight from the heart.”

I’ve personally given this project a whirl and must say that it really couldn’t be easier.

We’ve all seen traditional family photos where everyone’s in matching outfits on the beach. This Mother’s Day, dial it up a notch by spelling something within the frame.

“You don’t have to be a master photographer or buy anything complicated to make this fun gift,” says Jenn Fowler, founder of Frugal Upstate. “What mother or grandmother wouldn’t love this unique portrait word art featuring her favorite kids?”

All you need is a frame that can hold multiple photos and some wooden letters, which are both inexpensive. Simply snap a few shots of your kids spelling out a word of your choice (like “Love” or “Mom”), and you’re done.