51 good DIY Mother's Day gift ideas
Giving a Mother's Day gift is an important gesture that tells your mom, your kids' mom, or any other mother figure in your life just how much you care about her. The best gifts do not need to cost a lot of money or even be bought from a store. In fact, homemade gifts are extra special because they communicate your sentiments and creativity in a way that's totally unique.
This year, consider one of these good DIY Mother's Day gift ideas and create something she will treasure. You don't need any special skills or a big budget for these ideas, and many are doable for kids. It just takes a little investment of time and love to make the holiday memorable.
A note about that investment of time: Surveys show that time is the No. 1 thing moms really, really want for Mother's Day. Specifically, they desire "alone time" and "quality time with family." These are things you can, and absolutely should, give her, in addition to one of the following heartfelt DIY gifts.
1. Memory-filled photo books
There's possibly no better holiday for gifting a custom photo book than Mother's Day. The camera can capture the mother-child relationship in a way that evokes deep and meaningful sentiments. Any photo book made for a mom by someone who loves her is guaranteed to be a treasured gift.
There are endless options for a Mother's Day photo book. Feature pictures from an entire year in review or make a themed book with photos from a memorable travel experience or family event. New moms will love a baby photo book, and family photo book themes are adaptable for everyone.
2. Kids’ handprint planter
With this fun and easy handprint flower pot craft project, a plain terracotta plant pot becomes a one-of-a-kind treasure for Mom. Use a pot that’s a suitable size for her kids’ hands, assist the little ones with pressing their hands into a pool of colorful acrylic paint, and then have them press their palms against the sides of the pot. Let the paint dry and finish with a spray sealant to help those little handprints last forever. Finally, add a real or faux plant and present Mom with a gift she’ll adore.
3. DIY bath bombs
Does your mom enjoy luxurious bath products like bath bombs? A gift of bath bombs is extra special when you make them yourself. Follow this easy DIY recipe and method, which only takes about 20 minutes plus a few days of drying time. Choose her preferred scents, and optionally make the bath bombs colorful with a few drops of food coloring.
Tip: A decorated cardboard egg carton is an ideal gift box for your DIY bath bombs.
4. Gourmet gift basket
A classic gift idea that's perfect for Mother's Day is a custom gift basket. The theme can be just about anything that reflects her hobbies or tastes, but a universally loved theme is gourmet food. Fill a basket with an array of edible items plus a few non-food accessories such as kitchen towels, a small cheese board and knife set, or a set of fancy dessert plates. A few themes within the theme of gourmet food include desserts, charcuterie, or global cuisines like Italian, Thai, or Mexican fare.
5. A DIY terrarium
Give a living gift to the woman who gave you life with a custom terrarium. This gift offers a modern twist on the traditional gift of flowers, but it's sure to last a lot longer. It's a really good DIY Mother's Day gift idea for moms with a green thumb and will become an instant centerpiece.
Start with any glass vessel of a suitable size; thrift-store finds are ideal for this. Then, layer in rocks, dirt, small plants, and even some unique little trinkets. You can create an open or closed terrarium and provide her with a set of basic instructions to care for it. If you're new to terrariums, there are plenty of beginner's guides online.
6. Cookbook stand
This simple cookbook stand is a wonderful project for beginner woodworkers and a fantastic Mother’s Day gift for any mom who loves to cook. Only one piece of scrap wood is required, which you transform into a beautiful handmade stand using a miter saw, wood adhesive, wood filler, and sander. Apply a few coats of stain for a beautiful finish.
7. Chocolate truffles
Homemade chocolate truffles look very impressive and taste totally decadent, but are actually quite easy to make. A basic truffle recipe, based on chocolate ganache, is also versatile. Vary the flavor by rolling balls of ganache into all kinds of ingredients, such as cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or sprinkles. Dip them into melted chocolate, or drizzle with caramel and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt.
Here are 10 chocolate truffle recipes to consider. Vegan moms love a sweet treat, too – check out these 3-ingredient vegan chocolate truffles.
8. Handmade earrings
Does your mom love to wear bold jewelry? With a trip to the craft store, you can stock up on everything you need to create DIY earrings for Mom this Mother's Day. Head to the jewelry aisle and choose beads, metal shapes, tassels, or leather pieces to dangle from earring hooks. Don't forget to stock up on jump rings and pliers that will help you assemble the earrings. Create a single pair or a more extensive set of options to style her wardrobe every day.
9. An acrylic photo block
Remind Mom of your love every day when you create an acrylic photo block as a DIY decor piece. The only difficult part will be choosing a favorite image, but you can definitely pay attention when Mom declares how much she loves certain photographs.
These special gift items are easy to make with Mixbook. Just upload your image, crop the picture if needed, and place your order. Mom can showcase this gallery-worthy display on a table, nightstand, or dresser. Choose just one or order a few to create a loving vignette of memories.
10. Clay pinch pot
Air-dry clay is a cinch to work with, even for kids and “artistically challenged” adults. An easy beginner project that also makes an excellent Mother’s Day gift is a set of air-dry clay pinch pots. Just roll some clay into a ball and work it into a pot shape by squeezing and pinching it with your fingers. A rough shape and imperfect finish is all part of its beauty!
A plain pinch pot is a blank canvas for design ideas. Before the clay dries, poke or score designs into the surface with improvised tools such as plastic forks, skewers, or pen caps. After it dries, embellish with paint and a final coat of varnish. Mom can use her pots as jewelry, key, or coin holders, or use one in the kitchen as a salt dish.
11. Homemade bath salts
Bath salts are super easy to make yourself, and a real treat as a Mother’s Day gift. Recipes are easy to find and straightforward, with many options for scents. Check out this roundup of 10 DIY bath salts recipes. Choose essential oils with scents you know Mom loves. How about peppermint and eucalyptus, or orange and ginger? Make a few different versions of the bath salts and package them in pretty jars with custom labels and ribbons.
12. Painted rocks
If Mom loves spending time in the garden or out on the patio, add some bright cheer and Mother’s Day love to the scene with painted rocks. This project couldn’t be easier for kids and adults alike. Gather smooth, flat rocks, some acrylic paints or paint pens, and follow this rock painting for beginners tutorial.
The design options are endless. Write messages of love to Mom, use stencils or stamps, or create your own pattern, character, or scene. Finish with a waterproof sealant to help the painted rocks hold up to the elements.
13. Gardening gift basket
Moms who are avid gardeners will love a DIY gift basket filled with garden-themed items. Put together a pair of gardening gloves, a new garden tool or two, some packets of seeds, little plant pots, and a miniature watering can. Or, use a larger watering can or planter in place of a basket. For more of a homemade touch, consider one of these DIY garden marker ideas.
14. Handprint suncatcher
There are so many good DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas that use children’s handprints, and this is probably one of the sweetest. To make a handprint suncatcher, help the kids make a mosaic of colored tissue paper pieces on a sticky sheet of contact paper. Sandwich the tissue paper mosaic under a second sheet of contact paper, trace around the kids’ hands, and cut out the shapes. The tutorial shows you how to arrange two handprints together to form a heart shape – so adorable!
15. DIY bathtub caddy
If your crafting skills are in woodworking rather than DIY beauty products, you can still embrace the popular spa theme for good Mother’s Day gift ideas. Some prior skills and tools are necessary to follow this tutorial for a DIY bathtub caddy. Wow Mom with your woodworking skills and consider throwing in some fancy bath products to complete this truly impressive Mother’s Day gift.
16. Roll-up jewelry case
With a sewing machine and a small amount of pretty fabric, anyone with moderate-level sewing skills can make Mom this fabulous roll-up travel jewelry case. There are quite a few steps involved, but they are all straightforward. Piping in a contrasting color really makes the design of the case pop, but you can skip that step if it’s too tricky. Either way, this DIY Mother’s Day gift is thoughtful as well as useful.
17. No-sew fleece blanket
You don’t need to do any sewing to craft a cozy, warm, and stylish blanket for your mom this Mother’s Day. Follow this simple no-sew fleece blanket tutorial, which involves simply cutting two layers of fleece fabric to size, cutting a fringe along the edges, and knotting the fringe layers together. Fleece fabric doesn’t fray when cut, so this blanket will stay looking good and keep Mom warm for many years to come.
18. Personalized polymer clay pendants
These stamped clay pendants are so simple yet look super-stylish. With the initials of all Mom’s children stamped into them, they’re also very sweet and sentimental – a perfect DIY Mother’s Day gift. Along with polymer clay (you only need a tiny amount), pick up a necklace or bracelet chain or keychain supplies from the jewelry aisle of the craft store. These pendants can then become a beautiful personalized accessory.
19. Granny square coasters
Just about everyone who has picked up the craft of crochet has at some point made a granny square. These classic crochet creations come in endless variations, each with its own charm. Granny squares are traditionally sewn together as a patchwork blanket or other larger project, but single squares make excellent coasters.
For a Mother’s Day gift, bundle a set of six or more granny squares, which can be identical or different designs in matching colors. Here are 25 granny square patterns to get you started.
20. Aromatherapy shower steamers
If Mom prefers showers over baths, help her turn them into a spa-like experience by making some DIY shower steamers. These are similar to bath bombs as they slowly dissolve in the steam of a shower, releasing the aromas of essential oils.
The tutorial offers one basic formula that works with any blend of aromatherapy oils. Purchase an attractive mold just for this project, or use a muffin tin as an improvised alternative. Remember to package your set of DIY shower steamers in a nice box with tissue paper and ribbons.
21. Home-sewn eye pillow
When Mom wants to lie down in peace and rest her eyes, she’ll be so glad to reach for a soothing scented eye pillow. This beginner-friendly sewing project uses just some small scraps of fabric and optional trim. Upgrade the eye pillow with a luxe fabric like satin or silk. A light filling layer of rice and flax seeds adds a pleasant fragrance plus some weight to the pillow, making it extra soothing.
22. Infused olive oil
Infusing olive oil with flavorful aromatics, herbs, or spices is easy to do and makes a lovely Mother’s Day gift. Be sure to transfer the oil to a nice glass jar or bottle, preferably with a pouring spout. Flavor options include garlic, chili, rosemary, and lemon zest. Follow these instructions for proper preparation and storage.
23. Infused vinegar
Infusing vinegar is possibly even easier than infusing olive oil. Follow this method to infuse your choice of white balsamic, white wine, red wine, or apple cider vinegar with fruits, herbs, or spices. A few examples of delicious infused vinegar flavors include rosemary-garlic, tarragon-blackberry, and lemon, mint, and black pepper.
Tip: Pair an infused olive oil and infused vinegar as a matching gift set.
24. Painted birdhouse
If your mom likes to watch the birds outside, painted wooden birdhouses can be really good DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas. Unfinished wooden birdhouses in many different shapes and sizes are available at Michaels and other craft stores. Use your own imagination and creativity to paint one with a design that suits your mom’s style. Check out these 20+ painted birdhouse ideas for inspiration.
25. Decoupage map coasters
Paper maps are perfect for decoupage projects such as these DIY custom coasters from maps. To make this homemade Mother’s Day gift extra special, source maps of locations that are meaningful to her. How about the locations where her children were born, or her favorite vacation destinations?
26. Shea butter lotion
Homemade lotion is easier than you might think, and it makes a lovely gift for Mother’s Day. Try this homemade shea butter lotion, which is non-greasy and can be used on the whole body. You can add essential oils or opt for a non-scented version. It’s easy to find many more lotion recipes online. Collect glass jars in various sizes, add a label and ribbon, and you have a very thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ready to go.
27. Book lover’s gift basket
For moms who always have their noses in a book, put together a book lover’s gift basket. A book bag makes a fun alternative to a regular basket. Include a reading light, a set of bookmarks, maybe a new Kindle case, and a pair of foam earplugs so she can read her book in peace. A special centerpiece for a book lover’s gift basket could be a hardback edition of a beloved book or a compendium of books by her favorite author.
28. Mom’s best recipes photo book
If your mom is proud of her culinary skills, show her how much you love her cooking with a custom cookbook filled with her own best recipes and photos. This good DIY Mother’s Day idea takes some planning, but the gift can start with telling Mom you’re making the book and want to collaborate on the content. Ask Mom to write down her favorite recipes, note down her tips and personal insights, and prepare some dishes together to photograph.
29. No-sew drawer sachets
These no-sew drawer sachets with rice couldn’t be easier to make, and they are a lovely Mother’s Day gift idea. Choose a pretty fabric and complementary ribbon, twine, or string to tie the sachets together around a handful of uncooked rice scented with essential oils. Make at least half a dozen of the sachets and package them together in a decorative box.
30. Potato-stamped cloth napkins
Remember making potato stamp art as a kid? The technique is a totally valid craft project for adults as well, and it can have some very stylish, gift-worthy results. Use the basic potato stamp technique with fabric paints to stamp a custom design on any smooth, woven fabric. A set of stamped cloth napkins makes a wonderful Mother’s Day gift. You could also make matching placemats or kitchen towels.
31. Marbled paper bookmarks
Handcrafted bookmarks are always good DIY Mother's Day gift ideas when you want a quick and easy project that you can mail with a card. There are countless ways to make a bookmark. How about paper marbling? This paper craft is easy and produces unique, stunning results every time. Create a few different marbled papers, then cut the papers into strips. Optionally punch a hole in the top to add a tassel.
32. Homemade latte syrups
Do the baristas at Mom’s local coffee shop know her by name? If your mom is a latte aficionado who loves her creative coffee confections, consider making some of her favorite flavored syrups yourself. Check out these 10+ homemade latte syrup recipes, which include vanilla, caramel, and autumn spice. The basic method is adaptable to other flavors as well.
33. Cold process soaps
Soap making is a fun hobby with lots of different recipe options and techniques to learn. If you like the idea of gifting homemade custom soaps for Mother’s Day, look into cold process soaps, which are best for beginners. Even with your first soap-making project, you can follow the tutorials to create different color combinations and designs that are totally gift-worthy. The strawberry cupcakes soap is perfect for Mother’s Day.
34. Tea lover’s gift basket
Put together a custom gift basket for a tea-loving mom, featuring a selection of fine loose-leaf teas and a teapot. Additional items could include a set of antique teaspoons, a fancy porcelain tea cup and saucer, or a book about tea.
35. Set of herb and spice jars
Buy herbs and spices from bulk bins and repackage them in a matching set of nice jars or tins. Together, they make a great gift set for a mom who loves to cook. You might also print some custom labels for the jars.
Choose four to six different herbs or spices for a set, and consider thematic sets for Mom’s favorite cuisines. For example, you could give her jars of garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper for an Indian cuisine theme, or chili powder, cumin, and oregano for a Mexican seasonings set.
36. Pet lover’s coffee table book
Is there a running joke in your family that Mom’s favorite child is the dog? Does she post a million more photos of the cats than she does her kids? Honor your mom’s other important role as a pet parent this Mother’s Day and gift her the custom pet lover’s coffee table book. It won’t be difficult to find plenty of photos of her beloved pets, so bring the best together with a beautiful Mixbook photo book.
37. Homemade limoncello
A bottle of homemade limoncello, a sweet and heady Italian aperitif, will make your mom feel like she’s enjoying a day on the Amalfi coast this Mother’s Day. Follow this three-ingredient recipe, which takes a few weeks from start to finish. After infusing clear alcohol with lemon zest, strain and blend the liquid with sugar syrup. Of course, find a pretty bottle in which to present your homemade limoncello to Mom.
38. Pretty paper lanterns
This tutorial for DIY paper lanterns with beautiful 3D flowers features a free printable template, making the project extra easy. You need white cardstock and a craft knife, plus cylindrical vases to wrap the cut papers around. Add battery candles or LED string lights to illuminate the pretty flower design. These lanterns will look stunning as a centerpiece during Mother’s Day brunch.
39. Marinated olives
Turn a regular jar or can of olives into a gift-worthy gourmet creation. All you need are olives (any kind or a mixture of black, brown, and green) and a marinade, plus an attractive jar. Here are four recipes for marinated olives: garlic and herb, Greek style, Provencal, and Catalan. You could make all four and give them to Mom in a set of matching jars.
40. Painted pillar candles
Turn plain pillar candles into beautiful, artistic decor pieces that make a great homemade gift for Mother’s Day. The brushstroke technique in this tutorial is very simple to achieve. Use Mom’s favorite colors, but stick with metallic paint for the brushstroke effect for a similar luxe look. Pair the painted candles with a set of candle holders for an even more special gift.
41. Artist’s gift basket
Artistic moms will always appreciate a selection of new art supplies, especially when they’re part of a thoughtful DIY gift basket for Mother’s Day. Know that serious artists tend to have strong opinions about supplies, so find out her preferred brands and augment pricier items with a few inexpensive accessories. Casual artists will appreciate any new supplies you choose for their favorite medium. Include a sketchbook, set of pens, pencils, paints, or paint brushes, and a small wooden artist’s dummy. An art book is a good addition as well.
42. Hot chocolate spoons
DIY chocolate spoons are a fun gift idea for a mom who enjoys hot chocolate or mocha drinks. You can use any kind of spoons for this project, but thrifted vintage silver spoons are a very nice choice. Dip the spoons in melted chocolate, let it set, then repeat to build up plenty of chocolate layers. While the final layer is still soft, sprinkle the chocolate spoons with a choice of toppings such as toffee bits, chopped nuts, and mini baking chips. Find these decorative treats on the candy/cake-making aisle.
43. Exfoliating body scrub
A homemade exfoliating body scrub makes a really sweet gift for a mom, especially if you customize it with her favorite scents. Use this tutorial for a homemade body scrub. The basic foundation of the recipe is just two ingredients – Epsom salts plus a carrier oil – to which you simply add drops of one or more essential oils. The recipe suggests vanilla, lemon-peppermint, and sweet orange-lavender as aroma options, but it’s adaptable to any combinations of your choice.
44. Fruit-infused gin
Homemade “ginfusions” are an unexpectedly delicious treat to give for Mother’s Day. Most recipes recommend using an inexpensive gin, which you transform with an infusion of fruit, herbs, or spices. You just need your ingredients plus a sterilized bottle, and a little time.
Choose a flavor or flavor combination you know Mom will enjoy. Take inspiration (and instructions) from these seven recipes for infused gin and gin liqueurs. A few suggestions include rhubarb and ginger, strawberry-mint, and pink raspberry.
45. Homemade pencil case
This DIY pencil case only requires a small amount of fabric, a zipper, and sewing supplies. It’s a straightforward project with straight seams only, and if you’ve never inserted a zipper before, this pencil case is the perfect first-time project. The choice of fabric is key to making a case that your mom will love. Plus, they’re quick and easy enough to sew that you can make a set of two or three different sizes within just an hour or two. These cases also make great makeup bags and storage bags for arts and crafts supplies.
46. Scrabble tile coasters
Bring a little wordplay into your DIY Mother’s Day ideas with these fun Scrabble tile coasters. You don’t need to raid your board game collection for supplies, as wood Scrabble tiles are available in bulk online. Plan your coasters around words like “MOM,” “BEST,” “MAMA,” “LOVE,” “HUGS” etc. Glue the tiles to a sheet of cork backing, cut the coasters out, and finish with an acrylic sealant.
47. Homemade sugar scrub
Many good DIY Mother's Day gift ideas involve sugar, but this one won’t ruin her appetite! A homemade sugar scrub is a super-sweet idea that’s very easy to make. This collection of all-natural, skin-pampering sugar scrub recipes includes such tempting concoctions as pink lemonade sugar scrub, lavender mint sugar scrub, and sugar cookie scrub. Make one or more and present them in upcycled glass jars.
48. Wine lover’s gift basket
The only tricky part of putting together a gift basket for a mom who loves wine is knowing which special bottle (or two) to include. If you don’t know her favorite label, be sure to find out. Then, build a basket around the bottle with accessories like wine glasses, a corkscrew, coasters, a bottle stopper, and perhaps some cheeses and crackers.
For a special homemade addition, craft some wine glass charms using one of these DIY wine charm tutorials.
49. Homemade cookie butter
Any mom with a sweet tooth will love a special jar of homemade cookie butter. This homemade cookie butter recipe is customizable with any type of cookie, so use Mom’s favorite or prepare a set of three different flavors. Simply blend cookie crumbs with butter, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. A food processor makes quick work of this delicious DIY gift idea.
50. DIY kitchen herb garden
Purchase a set of small potted herbs from a garden store, or even the supermarket, and repot them in a larger planter as a beautiful kitchen herb garden. Take inspiration from this DIY kitchen herb garden idea with rosemary, thyme, and sage, or choose Mom’s favorite culinary herbs.
51. Custom photo cards
The homemade ethos doesn't end with good DIY Mother's Day gift ideas. Get creative with her Mother's Day card as well. Send a custom photo card featuring your favorite photos of you and your mom directly to her mailbox. Showcase those snaps with one of Mixbook's stylish designs and add a custom message just for her. You can even fill your card with a few free frameable Mother's Day prints.
Looking for more great DIY Mother's Day gift ideas?
When you're looking for good DIY Mother's Day gift ideas, it's all about considering what will make your mother happy and selecting items that speak to her personality and interests. Use this list as inspiration to help you find the perfect gift for every type of mom.
If more than one of these ideas appeals to you, keep one in mind for a milestone birthday or another special celebration throughout the year.
