Mother's Day Archives

How 20 Fabulous Moms Want to Spend Their Mother’s Day

Our series “Celebrating Motherhood” shares inspiring stories, helpful advice, and insightful recommendations to help you choose the perfect gifts to help you express your love for moms of all types. These Mother’s Day ideas will help mom celebrate the way she wants to, whether that’s sleeping, brunching, or spending time with her family.

Being a mom is a life-changing experience that comes with endless joy and fulfillment — but it also is a lot of work and carries with it a lot of responsibility. So when Mother’s Day rolls around, many moms want just one thing: to be relieved of their motherly duties.

Not to say gifts aren’t appreciated, but if you ask most moms how they’d like to spend the one day of the year that’s dedicated to them and only them, the most common answer you’ll hear is: “I just want some time to myself.”

We wanted to find out what specifically was on Mother’s Day wish lists, so we went straight to the source — 20 of them, to be exact. Here, 20 world-beating moms tell us what their ideal Mother’s Day consists of and what types of gifts they’d want to receive for this special day.

Spending time with family

mothers day ideas with mom playing with son

I just love to be with my family. We are all over the country and world right now, and when we all get together, it is love, plain and simple. Hanging out all day, at home with all of us, is my best Mother’s Day.

– Kerri Rosenthal, founder and creative director, Kerri Rosenthal

My wife and I were at a stalemate for Mother’s Day since we are a two-mom family. To give ourselves what we need — some quiet time away from our energetic 3-year-old — we are planning a day of fun for our toddler and his nana. We have a scavenger hunt, relaxation, and dinner planned for them so we can enjoy a few hours of nothing. My wife’s mother gets time with her grandson, and we get a break from hearing “mom/mommy/mama” every two minutes. It’s a win for everyone.

– Corritta Lewis, content creator at It’s a Family Thing

I want a mix of spending time with my family and on my own on Mother’s Day. I like to start the day with a 5K run to get my alone time and then spend the day with my family doing brunch or going on a day trip, like to the zoo. I find that balance is the perfect way to celebrate.

– Ali Van Straten, blogger at Champagne and Coffee Stains

We are planning a day of fun for our toddler and his nana. My wife’s mother gets time with her grandson, and we get a break from hearing ‘mom/mommy/mama’ every two minutes. It’s a win for everyone.

Corritta Lewis

Content creator, It’s a Family Thing

This is my first Mother’s Day, and I am so excited to be taking my son to his first baseball game. It’s a tradition that my mom, sister, and I started when I was in college and continued through moving cross country and growing families. Now we get to include our children, and my mom gets to spend time with her children and grandchildren.

– Megan Hildebrand, independent promoter with Pruvit

Experiencing an adventure

I love the outdoor life, and I can’t think of a better way to spend any day, let alone Mother’s Day, than being woken up by my kids with a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast, and a mug of steaming hot black coffee while relaxing in my big ol’ RV. Then I want to kick back and do as little as possible for the rest of the day, preferably in the company of a good book. That’s my idea of heaven.

– Jessica Vine, founder and CEO, rvidiots.com

The beach is our happy place. My ideal Mother’s Day would be to wake early, four-wheel it out to the beach, watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee, and snuggle up with my hubby and the kids. After that, we would head back for a homemade breakfast.

– Lauryn Vacey, founder, ilaStrate

a photo of mother's day ideas: relaxing on the beach

My ideal Mother’s Day would start by drinking warm tea (doesn’t have to be hot because, being a mom, sometimes it’s easy to forget you’ve made it!) on the beach while reading a book as my husband and kids collect oysters and mussels.

– Kirby Wilkerson, founder, The Impact Kind

I love to spend my Mother’s Day doing a fun adventure as a family. We usually go somewhere we don’t go very often, such as an aquarium or children’s museum. It’s fun to watch the kids’ faces light up with excitement as we spend our special day together.

– Elizabeth Manly, former teacher and mother of two

Some personal pampering

Coffee in bed, followed by breakfast made for me consisting of a croissant, cheese, and berries, and accompanied by gorgeous fresh flowers!

– Whitney Ross, founder, Whit & Well

I want morning cuddles and breakfast in bed with my family, followed by some alone time for a facial or massage. Motherhood is beautiful but hard, and making time for myself is so important!

a photo of mother's day ideas: mom relaxing with coffee and croissants

– Julia Dzafic, founder, Lemon Stripes

Every Mother’s Day, I have the same request: not making any food from morning ’til night. Although I love to cook and curate delicious recipes, it is a great feeling not to have to pick up one knife or wash one vegetable for one day. My kids and partner usually do all the cooking and make me breakfast in bed, and then later treat me to takeout or make reservations at a good restaurant. It has been like this for some time now, and I never want this tradition to end!

– Laura Ritterman, chef and recipe blogger at Recipe Fairy

When my boys were young, I always told my husband that all I wanted for Mother’s Day was for him to take the boys somewhere for a few hours so I could just be in the house alone. The quiet and stillness of a few hours was the best gift he could give me during that season of life.

– Marsha Fisher, senior manager of corporate communications, Workplace Options

As someone who is anti-diet and an intuitive eater, I am happy with a Mother’s Day brunch, enjoyed without guilt, one where I will be mentally present with my mom and my son and not worried about the food around me and my weight.

– Alana Van Der Sluys, founder, Freedom with Food and Fitness

Laura Ritterman

Chef and recipe blogger at Recipe Fairy

One of my favorite Mother’s Day activities is watching a movie because it means that I get to choose the title and the family can’t complain about it!

– Rachel Fink, CEO and founder, Parenting Pod

This year I’d like to spend Mother’s Day alone. I typically always spend it with my kids, but we’ve all spent a lot of time together with the pandemic, and I’m ready for some alone time. My dream day would include: a mani/pedi, trip to the beach, writing my book in a hotel room, cozying up in a robe and watching movies, and finishing the day with room service and a bath.

– Angela Marie Christian, writer, personal development and business coach, and mindfulness teacher

I would love to get a keratin treatment. I am always so busy catering to my kids that I forget about self-care. I have been delaying hair care for a long time, so this Mother’s Day will be a self-care day.

– Elisa Bender, co-founder, RevenueGeeks

Meaningful gifts

a photo of mother's day ideas: father and son with picture frames

Ever since I hit my mid-30s, my mind keeps wanting to invest in a foot massager. Walking around all day with my children can be a taxing way to spend the day. A foot massager would help get rid of painful pangs in my feet.

– Eduarda dePaula, entrepreneur and CEO, FindByPlate

Every year, my husband and son, Billy, have a photo book made with a collection of the best photos of Billy and me from the past year. They choose funny and endearing captions for many of the photos. I do the same thing for my husband on Father’s Day. It’s a wonderful family tradition.

– Dr. Chloe Carmichael, clinical psychologist and author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power tribute to Your Anxiety

I want to create piece of a family artwork. I have never been good at painting, but seeing my children make handmade cards for me on Mother’s Day has been a source of pure joy for me. I want to recreate that memory by painting a big canvas with my family. Creating artwork together will be a great way to connect with my children and learn about their evolving personalities.

– Elizabeth Hicks, co-founder, Parenting Nerd

In recent years, as a Mother’s Day gift, I’ve asked my family to join me in a family photo session with a hired photographer. As mothers, we tend to be behind the camera, so having pictures with our kids and family can be a rarity. Capturing our family in each season of life through the years is something I will cherish forever and really has been the sweetest gift.

– Kristal Harris, founder, Hawleyton

For Rachel Ashwell, Mother’s Day Is About Nurturing, Being Indulged

The series “MVP Moms” explore the critical role moms play at the heart of families — and how they run the world. In this article, Rachel Ashwell dives into her experiences as a mother and how she hopes to celebrate Mother’s Day this year with advice on relationships and décor.

a photo of Rachel Ashwell with her kids — Rachel Ashwell with her daughter, Lily, and her son, Jake.

When Rachel Ashwell opened her Shabby Chic® store on Montana Avenue in Los Angeles 33 years ago, her daughter was 2, and her son was just a few weeks old. She didn’t know at the time what a mega-empire she would go on to build, or how the very idea of Shabby Chic® — an aesthetic she created that involves soft, floral upholstery fabrics, weather-worn furniture, and vintage pieces — would become not only a part of the design lexicon but of our culture.

She also wasn’t thinking about how being a divorced working mom would affect her ability to raise her children. She just wanted to open a little shop that would allow her to arrange her own schedule so she could be with her kids.

Her children are adults now — she also has a stepdaughter with whom she’s close — and her business is mature, with her original store moving up the California coast to Summerland, near Montecito. Mother’s Day can be an unexpected holiday for Ashwell since she and her kids are often scattered around the globe. “Someone’s always 6,000 miles away,” she says.

Her own mother, when she was alive, lived in England while Ashwell was in California. Today, she still gets to celebrate twice because Mother’s Day falls on a different day in the UK than in the U.S. Her son recently called to wish her a happy Mother’s Day, taking her by surprise. It was, unbeknownst to Ashwell, Mother’s Day across the pond.

We spoke with Ashwell about how she balanced raising a family while running a business, what advice she would give herself as a young mom, and how she celebrates Mother’s Day now. She also tossed in some advice for all moms on this special day.

How was it being a single working mom while building an empire?

Of course, there are things I know now I wish I knew then. But, at that time, I had my formula of how to balance everything. I wanted to be as present as possible, with my work and with my “mommy hat” on. It was very important for me to drop my kids at school and pick them up; between those hours, I compartmentalized how to get things done for work. I don’t recall being overwhelmed or stressed out — I just recall being very organized.

Do you have any advice you would give yourself as a young mom?

My children grew up seeing me work really hard. Maybe I wish I had more “fun” time. I was like, “I’ll do that then,” and a lifetime has gone by. It’s a double-edged sword because the bulk of what I do is my creative escape, and it’s lovely. But I would say — speaking to myself — do make sure to find time to do nothing. Doing nothing has its own value.

Do you have advice for other moms or for anyone balancing a creative business with life?

Check back in with yourself, especially when you have the good fortune of a lot of success. Is your life in alignment with your dream? Not the outside dream of what looks good on paper but the inside dream. Don’t put a square peg in a round hole.

For me, I had the opportunity to open 50 stores with investors, and I went along with that, enthusiastically. But, in actuality, I’m a flea market girl. It’s better for me to have Shabby Chic® in unique places on great funky streets, in Malibu, in Soho, in artisan places. So, make sure to choose your paths and opportunities in alignment with who you are.

What was the best part about your relationship with your mom?

Her gentleness and being non-judgmental about anyone or anything, even when I was 15 and I said I was leaving school. I always felt safe to share things with her. She was also ahead of her time. She exposed me to color therapy, reiki, and meditation, all in the ’80s. My parents were flea market people; I would learn at flea markets with them. That was lovely. There’s just something very simple about my mom I really treasure.

How can all we find meaning in Mother’s Day, whether we have a mother or children, or not?

It’s important not to stay in the literal classification of what a mother is. Take care of all mamas, and there are a million different ways to do that. Unless you are a complete hermit, chances are there’s an older female person you look to for their motherly qualities — see them or reach out to them. Maybe there are other children you’ve taken on a motherly role for; just kind of acknowledge it. Put a little spotlight on those relationships. I don’t underestimate the value of being a mother to pets either!

The more time we can just learn who our mothers were and are is of fantastic value. Anyone who’s got a mother out there, find a way to really find out who this wonderful person is who brought you into this world.

Rachel Ashwell

How do you celebrate Mother’s Day now?

It’s been years since my kids and I have lived in the same place, so I tend to value every second I have with them. My daughter is very good at self-care, she’ll say, “Let’s have a mani-pedi or massage that’s all about you.” And then, of course, she comes along for the ride. We tend to go for very nurturing activities I always really enjoy.

With my son, we communicate differently. He knows I love nothing more than just sitting and talking. That’s a gift unto itself. Plus, he always sends me an orchid. He knows I’m so picky about flowers, he can’t go really wrong with an orchid.

What do you do special for a Mother’s Day tablescape?

I pull out some of my little trinkets, delicate details of things I have in my world — that’s how I enhance my table. Beautiful flowers are always my anchors, and then beautiful china and beautiful napkins. If a mom is there, so is a wrapped gift. I have lots of leftover beautiful wrapping paper. I keep paper from gifts I receive and reuse it, or I use pieces of vintage wallpaper; there are lots of wonderful sources of vintage paper online. I also have a big box of fabulous vintage ribbons and another box of vintage velvet and silk flowers. It’s not like I buy horrible gifts for people, but often my gift wrapping supersedes the gift.

What gift ideas do you have for Mother’s Day? I’m sure flowers is on your list.

The whole world of flowers is a metaphor for all kinds of relationships. It reminds us whatever the season is there’s a rhythm to relationships. Flowers are beautiful, of course, but sending them on an occasion just feels like the right thing to do. Also, a lovely gift is a plant to plant in a garden, something to be nurtured and grow.

Mothers often put themselves last on their list of who to take care of, so a nurturing, self-indulgent gift, like a luxurious soap, a beautiful candle, or a really yummy throw, is a good idea. Mother’s Day is more about indulgence, not practicality. It’s nice to indulge your mother, and it’s really lovely to be indulged.

What advice would you give to someone who has a mom on Mother’s Day?

It’s a tremendously valuable relationship. The more time we can just learn who our mothers were and are is of fantastic value. Anyone who’s got a mother out there, find a way to really find out who this wonderful person is who brought you into this world.

DIY Mother’s Day Photo Vase Craft for Kids

Our series “Get Crafty” gives you the inspiration for creating inventive DIY projects during the holidays and year-round. Pair those Mother’s Day flowers with a creative DIY photo vase — the perfect Mother’s Day craft for kids of all ages!

This year, take your Mother’s Day flowers to the next level with a creative and personalized DIY photo vase. The beauty of this vase is in the tiny details that reflect each child’s personality, making it the perfect Mother’s Day craft for kids of all ages.

Depending on how old the child is, you may want to prepare the tissue paper shapes beforehand, as little kids may have trouble cutting the delicately thin material. Be sure to provide them with a smock and clear out an area for crafting, as this project includes liquid adhesive.

Once this DIY photo vase is completed, add mom’s favorite flowers or arrangement for a Mother’s Day gift she’ll treasure always.

Supplies for DIY photo vase

Vase
Liquid adhesive (Mod Podge, PVA glue)
Small paintbrush
Tissue paper in a variety of colors
Photo
Scissors

How to make a DIY photo vase

Use soap and water to clean any residue off the vase. Set aside to dry.

a photo of a diy photo vase: tissue paper hearts

Cut shapes out of the tissue paper. We chose hearts, but you can go with flowers, stars, or diamonds. The homemade touch of this project is what makes it special, so the shapes do not all have to be the same size or shape. Once you have enough shapes, set them aside.

a photo of a diy photo vase: gluing on tissue paper hearts

Pour some of the adhesive into a small bowl. Dip the brush into the adhesive and pick up a tissue paper shape with the brush, and “paint” it onto the vase. You only need a light coat of adhesive, so try to avoid drenching the shapes.

Once you have stuck all the shapes to the vase, it’s time to add the photograph. You may want to trim the photo to fit your particular vase before placing it on. Once you have decided where the photo will go, use the brush to paint the adhesive onto the back of the photo. Apply it to the vase and hold it down for 5 to 10 seconds until it’s secure.

a photo of a diy photo vase: finished vase

Give the vase a few minutes to dry, and then use a cup or pitcher to carefully pour water into the vase. Then, add the flowers, and your DIY photo vase is ready to show off!

A graphic reminding visitors that moms deserve a special celebration on Mother's Day.

Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids: DIY Photo Flowers With Free Printable Template

Our series “Get Crafty” gives you the inspiration for creating inventive DIY projects during the holidays and year-round. Let the children make their own homemade Mother’s Day craft with this creative DIY photo flowers idea that will touch mom’s heart.

Move over macaroni frames, there’s a new DIY Mother’s Day craft in town! And it’s not only fun to make but easy, too.

Using our photo flower stencil template, some scrapbooking paper, scissors, and a bit of glue, we created creative and colorful DIY photo flowers. They’re the perfect kid-friendly complement to those stunning Mother’s Day flowers you plan on getting Mom.

Let the kids get creative by picking out their own patterned paper and colors. They’ll love letting their personalities shine in this personalized Mother’s Day gift idea.

And Mom will think it’s just the sweetest present she’s ever received.

Supplies for DIY photo flowers

Photo flower template (download here)
Scrapbook and construction paper in various colors and patterns
Scissors
Glue
Floral tape
Tape
Lollipop sticks or similar
Photos

Directions for DIY photo flowers

a photo of dit photo flowers: flower stencil cutout

Load your printer with a sheet of cardstock; download and print the photo flower stencil template. Cut out the shapes to use as stencils. Set aside.

a photo of diy photo flowers: tracing flower shape on photo

Now, prepare the photograph. If are using an existing photo, trace the smaller flower on the photograph and cut out the shape. If you plan on printing your child’s photo, crop the area you wish to use to 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. Print on high-quality photo paper for best results. Once printed, use the smaller flower to trace the shape and cut out the photo.

a photo of diy photo flowers: cutting out the flowers

Take the larger flower and trace it onto the color/pattern you’d like to appear on the outermost layer of the flower. Cut out and set aside.

Then, take the smaller flower and trace it onto the color/patterned paper you would on the middle layer of the flower. Trace the circle stencil in the middle of the smaller flower shape. Fold in half and cut out the circle shape from the flower to create an open space.

a photo of diy photo flowers: faces in the flowers

Once you have all the shapes cut out, place a few drops of glue onto the largest flower. Take your first photo and glue it down. Once it’s dry, add a few drops of glue to the smaller flower and place it on top of the photo.

a photo of diy photo flowers: making the flower stems

To make the stems, grab your stick and wrap it in floral tape. (The tape is naturally slightly sticky so no further glue is necessary.) Once fully wrapped, tape the stick to the back of the flower.

a photo of diy photo flowers: finished flowers

Optional: Fold a piece of green construction paper in half and cut out a folded leaf shape. Add glue to one half of the leaf and hug it around the newly created stem.

All About the Official Mother’s Day Flower: The Carnation

Since the day you were born, your mom has loved and supported you — not to mention cooked, cleaned, had a job, and drove you to all those extracurricular activities. Even when you might not have realized it (those teenage years, anyone?), your mom always had your best interest at heart.

That’s why each year we spend one day honoring all that our mothers have done for us. And if part of the celebration includes getting your mom a little something special, it should be a carnation — the official flower of Mother’s Day. The white carnation is said to symbolize motherhood and is used to both honor a mother who has passed away and celebrate a mother who is still living.

Here’s a brief history of how carnations became the symbol of motherhood.

official mothers day flower with a bouquet of flowers and text that says "happy mother's day".

A brief history of Mother’s Day

It’s believed the first celebrations honoring mothers were in ancient times, when Romans held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. But it wasn’t until Europe in the early 1800s that we saw the first semblance of modern Mother’s Day.

At the time, families in the UK and England celebrated “Mothering Sunday.” A day celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, it encouraged people to travel back to their “mother church” — the first church they ever attended in their hometown — for a special service.

Over the years, Mothering Sunday transitioned into a more secular holiday, known as Mother’s Day, and was celebrated by kids giving their mothers flowers and other small gifts.

Who was Anna Jarvis?

Anna Jarvis is considered the founder of Mother’s Day in America. After her mother passed away, Jarvis vowed to create a day dedicated to honoring mothers both alive and deceased.

Why carnations are the official flower of Mother’s Day

As a young girl living in Philadelphia, Jarvis and her mother cared for a garden full of white carnations — her mother’s favorite flowers. In 1907, Anna delivered 500 white carnations to the church where her mother taught Sunday school. She then requested that each mother in the congregation receive one as they arrived at church that week.

Every year after that, the church upheld the tradition and continued to hand out carnations at their Mother’s Day service. Neighboring communities and churches soon took notice and began incorporating it into their own Mother’s Day services. In the mid-1940s, carnations were dubbed the official Mother’s Day flower. And now it’s even easier to deliver carnations right to Mom’s door!

Anna Jarvis once said that white carnations were the symbol of Mother’s Day because they were thought to “typify some of the virtues of motherhood: Whiteness stands for purity; its lasting qualities, faithfulness; its fragrance, love; its wide field of growth, charity; its form, beauty…”

Colorful carnations

Over time, different colored carnations began to take on their own meanings. Because of their history, fragrance, and “heavenly soft” texture, white carnations became popularly thought of as the flowers you left at the gravesite of a mother who had passed away. And even though white carnations originally became popular, red carnations are also considered the official Mother’s Day flower. However, red carnations are believed to be a gift for mothers who are still alive, as it was believed carnations’ deep red petals represented that of a beating heart and love rather than loss.

Care for the official Mother’s Day flower

If you plan on giving or receiving a bouquet of carnations, caring for them properly will ensure that they live a long, beautiful life. Here are some tips for caring for carnations.

Make sure they are placed on a windowsill or ledge that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight.
Be careful not to overwater them, as this can cause carnations to turn a musty, yellow color.
Never leave carnations near a radiator, oven, or another heat source. This will dry them out and cause them to die quickly.

Mother’s Day Flower Craft for Kids: Sunflower Wheel of Appreciation

Our series “Get Crafty” gives you the inspiration for creating inventive DIY projects during the holidays and year-round. Show Mom just how special she is by surprising her with a Sunflower Wheel of Appreciation! Read on to learn how to make this DIY Mother’s Day craft.

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation

Mom does it all. She cooks, cleans, consoles, and even coaches us through life’s toughest moments. To show Mom just how special she is, make her this Sunflower Wheel of Appreciation to go along with her Mother’s Day flowers. This creative DIY Mother’s Day craft is blooming with compliments that are sure to make Mom smile.

We chose to craft ours to resemble a sunflower, but you can get creative and mix and match colors and shapes to replicate Mom’s favorite flower! Think white and yellow for a beautiful daisy or pink and white for a stunning lily.

Supplies for Sunflower Wheel of Appreciation

Cardstock in 2-4 different colors (We used brown, orange, and two shades of yellow)
1 paper plate
Scissors
Glue
1 fine tip marker
Paper fastener

Directions for Sunflower Wheel of Appreciation

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation: tracing paper plate

Trace the paper plate onto the piece of cardstock that will become the bottom of the wheel.

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation: two paper circles

Then, trace a circle shape just a bit smaller than the first shape on a piece of different-colored cardstock. If you need a stencil for this part, bend the paper plate in half and trim the ends just a bit. The result will have scalloped edges but will suffice for creating the general circle shape.

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation: cutting out and tracing rectangle

Use scissors or an X-Acto knife to cut out a rectangular shape on the smaller circle. Take the cut-out rectangle shape and use it to create a border for your text on the larger circle. This will assure your text stays within the boundaries of the box.

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation: writing the messages

Once you draw your rectangular borders, use a pencil to write a message for Mom in each one. Then, use a marker to go over the letters to make the words pop. Erase any stray pencil markings.

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation: petals

Now, take the cardstock you plan to use for the petals and cut out several petal shapes in varying sizes (they don’t need to be perfect). We used two shades of yellow, but you can stick to just one and still come out with a wow-worthy project.

Apply glue to the wide ends of the petals and stick them to the back of the larger circle.

To complete the wheel, position the smaller circle in the center of the larger circle and seal in the middle with the paper fastener.

Now, give your Wheel of Appreciation a spin and let your Mom know why she’s the best in the world!

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation: mom is my hero message

My Mom…is my hero

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation: mom makes the best breakfast message

My Mom…makes the best breakfast

a photo of a sunflower wheel of appreciation: mom is my number 1 fan message

My Mom…is my #1 fan

Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids: DIY Candy Bouquet

Our series “Get Crafty” gives you the inspiration for creating inventive DIY projects during the holidays and year-round. Your Mom is one of a kind, so she deserves a truly original Mother’s Day gift. Here’s how to make her a gorgeous DIY candy bouquet.

No one is sweeter than Mom. If she were a food, she be a sugar cookie covered with buttercream frosting and sprinkles. So, while you’re waiting for her fresh Mother’s Day flowers to arrive, get creative and make her a truly original arrangement entirely out of sugary treats!

This gorgeous DIY candy bouquet takes only a few minutes to put together (no baking required!) and is a Mother’s Day craft that no chocolate-loving mama can resist.

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to make one for your mom. After all, she deserves only the very best.

Materials for a DIY candy bouquet

Vase
Styrofoam
Crinkled filler paper
Ribbon
Lollipop sticks
Green candy-striped straws
Chocolate-covered strawberries
Candy bar pretzels
Mini brownie cakes

Instructions for a DIY candy bouquet

1. Cut a piece of Styrofoam so that it fits snugly into your vase. Push the Styrofoam block into the base of the vase.

2. Fill the vase with crinkled filler paper in the color of your choice. Make sure to completely cover the top and sides of the Styrofoam so that the white color doesn’t peek through.

3. Pierce different-sized lollipop sticks into the Styrofoam in the spots where you want your candy flowers to go. Using both small and large lollipop sticks will give your arrangement height and dimension.

Close-Up of Mother's Day DIY Candy Bouquet

4. Stick one green candy-striped straw into the base of each mini brownie cake and chocolate-covered strawberry. Then, take the skewered brownies and strawberries and start arranging them in the vase by placing them on top of the lollipop sticks, just like a flower head. (The lollipop stick should go into the hole at the bottom of the straw.) This will securely anchor the treats to the Styrofoam and hold them up straight.

5. Take a few candy bar pretzels and stick them straight into the filler paper to fill up any empty spots in the vase.

6. Tie a ribbon around the vase to make your sugary bouquet more realistic!

If you’re not the DIY type, don’t worry. You can still show your mom how sweet she is by sending her a delicious, readymade Mother’s Day fruit bouquet instead. It’s overflowing with Mom’s favorite fruit, and it will hook her up with her chocolate fix, too!

7 DIY Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids

Our series “Get Crafty” gives you the inspiration for creating inventive DIY projects during the holidays and year-round. Sometimes the best Mother’s Day gift is one that’s homemade. Here are seven Mother’s Day crafts for kids that Mom will cherish forever.

For spouses, grown-up children, and even parents of parents who have celebrated many Mother’s Days, picking out the perfect gift can be easy. But younger children may not be so sure about what to get or do for mom that will have her smiling from ear to ear. Thankfully, we’ve got loads of DIY ideas that the little ones can pull off for Mother’s Day.

Here are seven favorite Mother’s Day crafts that kids can make for mom this year, or any year.

1. Photo vase

Flowers are a popular gift on Mother’s Day, so why not create a personalized vase for Mom to put them in? All you need is some liquid adhesive, a small brush, tissue paper, a photo with Mom, and scissors. Check out our step-by-step instructions for this homemade Mother’s Day craft.

2. Personalized picture frame

If Mom has photos lying around without a frame to put them in, then this is a gift she absolutely needs. First, find a plain wooden frame that fits the photo you’d like her to display. Then, using paint, markers, glitter — anything, really — decorate the frame with Mom’s favorite colors and designs. Children can even write a personalized note around the edges if they’d like.

3. Photo flowers

mothers-day-crafts-for-kids_diy-photo-flower-4

In addition to live flowers, children can also gift Mom another type of flower — a photo flower! This children’s craft is super easy to make and perfect for all ages, and, better yet, we’ve got the templates you need to get started. We know Mom will love any type of flower you give her, but a flower with her child’s face in the center is sure to be a huge hit!

4. Candle holders

Candles are another popular gift for moms, which makes this DIY candle holder an excellent craft for Mother’s Day. All you’ll need is a glass cylinder for the candle to sit in, a photo or two with Mom, and some tape. After printing out your photo(s) on vellum paper, simply wrap them around the exterior of the glass cylinder and tape them down securely.

5. DIY sunflower wheel of appreciation

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Call out all the things that make Mom special with this DIY Wheel of Appreciation craft. This tutorial shows you how to create one in the shape of a sunflower for some cheery inspiration.

6. ‘Do Not Disturb’ door hanger

Moms are so involved in our everyday lives that when Mother’s Day rolls around they definitely deserve some time to relax. Help Mom make sure she isn’t interrupted during her “me” time by making a “Do Not Disturb” sign she can hang on her doorknob. All you need to make it is a blank sign and some arts and crafts supplies. You can bet she’ll love this on those mornings when she needs a little extra beauty rest.

7. Sweet candy bouquet

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Create a colorful arrangement out of Mom’s favorite treats with this DIY Candy Bouquet. Patterned paper straws add a colorful touch to the arrangement.

DIY Mother’s Day Flower Gift: Rose Bouquet Accented with Succulent ‘Flowers’

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with rose bouquet in cachepot

I love putting the right combination of flowers and container together to create a gift that speaks to a person’s heart. This time it spoke to my heart as well because I was creating a DIY Mother’s Day flower gift for my granddaughter to give to her mom, my daughter-in-law, Lina.

Lina and I both love objects with a story and history, and she has always admired my collection of Made in America hobnail milk glass from the Fenton® company!

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with cachepot

I have given Lina a few pieces over the years, including this cachepot. It’s one of my favorite shapes and sizes. It looks stunning filled with fresh-cut flowers and just as fabulous when empty with an LED votive light inside. It gives the milk glass a pretty warm glow.

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with girl holding flower arrangement

Once we chose the container, it was time to choose the flowers for our bouquet. Olivia knows what she likes, and pink is her favorite color!

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with rose bouquet

The Rosita Vendela rose is so beautiful and has a vintage vibe to it, so I thought it would make the perfect focal flower. We complemented that look with a few stems of dusty miller and monte casino. The finishing touch — and one that I know Lina is going to love — is the addition of cut succulents. An obsession with succulents is another thing Lina and I have in common!

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with closeup of succulent flower

This succulent is a variety called Echeveria Devotion.

Here’s how easy it is to turn a potted succulent into a fresh-cut flower that can be used in a bouquet.

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with succulent out of pot

1. Remove plant from pot. For smaller to average size bouquets, use 2-3” potted succulents.

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with removing dirt from succulent roots

2. Gently remove dirt from the roots. You can even remove the roots entirely if you want without damaging the plant.

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with skewering succulent

3. Insert a wooden skewer into the bottom of the succulent.

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with succulent flowers

That’s all it takes!

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with adding succulent flowers to bouquet

I find it works best if you create your bouquet or arrangement first and then insert the succulents. The surrounding flowers will help support the extra weight of the cut succulent. They will look beautiful for weeks and can then be re-rooted.

DIY Mother's Day Flower Gift with girl holding rose bouquet

We added a simple burlap wrap, pretty ribbon, and card that Olivia accented with a bright pink tassel to create the perfect DIY flower gift for Mother’s Day that not only speaks to the heart but totally melts it!