Mother’s Day is one of those holidays that creeps up quickly and gifts for mom can be especially hard to shop for, presenting a bit of a shopping challenge. Even if you have every intention of hunting down the perfect gift, you’ll probably feel paralyzed by options or late to the game. (Didn’t you get her a Trail of Painted Ponies sculpture last year? What about a necklace? But she never wears necklaces!) Before you know it, it’s the day before the holiday and you’re seriously contemplating veering into the drugstore parking lot and settling on a box of chocolates, flowers, and a singing card you’ll tell yourself isn’t obnoxious… until you hear it blast for the sixth time before you get to Mom’s house.
This year, give her something with from the heart. These 33 DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas are genuinely easy to make, meaning even the most novice crafter can tackle them. If anything goes awry, well, that adds charm, and your gift will still be way more useful than that “Pocketful of Sunshine” card.
Picnic Basket
Curate a picnic basket with all your mom’s favorite snacks and drinks, as well as a stylish blanket and flower. Pack it all up and take her for a picnic for the two of you—or the whole family—to enjoy together.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Charm »
Blue & White Stripe Picnic Basket, $52; Food52
DIY Flower Crown
Cheetah Is the New Black
Instead of a classic bouquet of flowers with her bed in breakfast, give her a homemade flower wreath to wear as a crown all day long.
Get the tutorial at Cheetah is the New Black »
BUY NOW Flower Crown Base, $10; Etsy
Lemon Sage Epson Bath Soak
Lark & Linen
Though this beautiful homemade bath soak looks like something you’d find in a high-end spa, it only takes 10 minutes to make. And best of all, there are so many ways to customize it.
Get the tutorial at Lark & Linen »
BUY NOW Solimo Epsom Salt Soaking Aid, $8; Amazon
Springtime Smudge Stick
Cheetah is the New Black
Smudge sticks are traditionally used to cleanse the energy of a space, and they make a beautiful Mother’s Day gift—especially when lovingly made by you. This one is made with a combination of cleansing white sage, calming lavender, loving rose, and healing rose-hips and yarrow.
Get the tutorial at Cheetah is the New Black »
BUY NOW White Sage, $4; Mountain Rose Herbs
Photo Lavender Sachets
Sugar & Charm
Functional, pretty, and sentimental, these photo-imprinted lavender sachets hit the Mother’s Day gift trifecta.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Charm »
BUY NOW Dried French Lavender Buds, $12; Amazon
Custom Tea Blends
Cheetah is the New Black
If you fancy yourself a barista and your mom is an avid tea drinker, this is the DIY Mother’s Day gift for you. Learn how to make your own tea blend from green tea, ginger, and lemon or black tea, cardamom, and orange. You could even add a supplement, like Moon Juice’s Spirit Dust, which promotes positive mood, calming state of mind, and resistance to stress, tension, and irritability.
Get the tutorial at Cheetah is the New Black »
BUY NOW Moon Juice Spirit Dust, $38; Amazon
Marble Cutting Board
The Merrythough
This dual-toned marble cutting board is a classy gift for mothers who love entertaining—and a good brie.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought »
BUY NOW Marble and Wood Cutting Board, $28; Amazon
Naturally Dyed Linens
Cheetah is the New Black
Whether you want to elevate a store-bought gift by wrapping it in a gorgeous cloth or your mom could use some new kitchen or bathroom hand towels, these naturally-dyed linens are the perfect thing to make yourself.
Get the tutorial at Cheetah is the New Black »
BUY NOW Noveltex White Linen Fabric, $14; Amazon
Wooden Bead Coasters
Lark & Linen
These beaded coasters are perfect gifts for Mother’s Day or a housewarming party. Plus, you can show her that you were listening all those times she told you to use a coaster.
Get the tutorial at Lark & Linen »
BUY NOW Outus Round Wood Beads, $10; Amazon
Marigold Chain
Cheetah Is the New Black
Pick your mother’s favorite flower to string together, à la a daisy chain. Whether you go for classics daisies or bold marigolds, display it on the mantle or stair railing as a gorgeous garland.
Get the tutorial at Cheetah is the New Black »
BUY NOW Floral Shears, $34; Terrain
Dipped Wooden Utensils
Earnest Home Co.
Why not give her something that will brighten up her kitchen, like these vibrant cooking utensils? The results are stylish, and this DIY couldn’t be easier. (Just make sure to give them time to dry!)
Get the tutorial at Earnest Home Co. »
BUY NOW Wooden Cooking Utensils Set, $11; Amazon
Pounded Flower Tote
DIY Candy
That’s not paint! The floral print on this bag is created by pounding real flowers with a hammer into the canvas. Lovely, no?
Get the tutorial at DIY Candy »
BUY NOW Canvas Tote Bag, $10; Amazon
Citrus Lip Balm
Lark & Linen
Who couldn’t use another lip balm? Whether your mom is someone who always loses hers at the bottom of her bag or goes through an entire stick in a week, she’ll definitely appreciate a gift made with love that she can also actually use.
Get the tutorial at Lark & Linen »
BUY NOW Vitruvi Grapefruit Essential Oil, $12; Amazon
Upcycled Vases
PHOTO: Reid Rolls; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors
Give her flowers in an upcycled vase. The pop art vibe of these old soup-cans-turned-vases makes for a fun and sustainable decorative object while the flowers fill them with new life.
See more at Leanne Ford Interiors »
BUY NOW Vintage Cans, $1; Etsy
Mini Marble Cake Stands
Sugar & Charm
Bake your mom her favorite cookies, brownies, or cupcakes for Mother’s Day, but instead of presenting them to her on a regular plate, dress them up with these adorable mini cake stands. She can keep them for herself once all the treats have been devoured.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Charm »
BUY NOW Marble Coasters, set of six, $25; Amazon
Full-sized Daybed
A House in the Hills
Feel like making mom something extra special and useful this year? If she’s in the market for furniture to spruce up an entryway or needs extra seating in the living room (and more importantly, you’re up for the challenge and some manual labor), follow this tutorial to make a stylish, minimalist daybed.
Get the tutorial at A House in the Hills »
BUY NOW Birch Plywood, $53; Home Depot
Lemon Preserves
Cheetah Is the New Black
Fancy condiments make the perfect gift because they’re not necessarily something you’d splurge on for yourself. If your mom appreciates homemade goodies, make her some lemon preserves and give it to her in a jar with a ribbon tied around it.
Get the tutorial at Cheetah Is the New Black »
BUY NOW Vintage French Green Canning Jar, $44; Food52
Rug Hook Pillow
Sugar & Cloth
A stylish throw pillow doesn’t need to break the bank, and it will have even more meaning if you make it for her. This tutorial makes it super easy to DIY, and the end results look like it was done by a pro.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth »
BUY NOW Oxford Needle Punch, $32; Etsy
Stenciled Frame
Tell, Love, & Party
Moms always love receiving photos of their kids. You know what will make her even prouder to display it? If it comes in a frame you custom designed with a stencil for her.
Get the tutorial at Tell, Love, & Party »
BUY NOW Martha Stewart Stencils, $6; Consumer Crafts
Dried Floral Wreath
Cheetah Is the New Black
Make her a beautiful wreath, but opt for dried florals instead of fresh greenery or flowers. It’s like giving her a beautiful bouquet, but in this case your gift will last long after the holiday.
Get the tutorial at Cheetah Is the New Black »
BUY NOW Darice Gold Metal Ring, $7; Amazon
Fluffy Pom Pom Bin
Sugar & Cloth
Help mom stay organized in style with this DIY pom pom basket. It’s a great catch-all for blankets or random knick-knacks she wants to store away out of sight.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth »
BUY NOW Paradise Fibers Raw Wool Roving, $28; Amazon
Marbled Clay Ring Dish
A Beautiful Mess
Who doesn’t struggle to keep track of her rings? Help your mom corral them with a cheerful dish made from colorful oven-baked clay and gold paint.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »
BUY NOW Marbled Ring Dish, $14; Etsy
Teacup Candle
Yesmissy
Combine a vintage cup and saucer with a candle to give your mom something she can look forward to lighting at the end of a long day.
Get the tutorial at Yesmissy »
BUY NOW Vintage Teacup and Saucer, $9; Etsy
Breakfast in Bed
Melanie Acevedo
A sweet bouquet of pink flowers is made even sweeter when accompanied by breakfast in bed. It’s so much better than having to get all dressed up for a big social brunch too.
BUY NOW White Wood Breakfast Tray, $35; Amazon
Stenciled Tea Towels
Lovely Indeed
A contact paper stencil is all you need to measure and space out the triangles on these towels.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed »
BUY NOW Four Sack Kitchen Towels, set of 12; $24; Amazon
Pink Himalayan Salt Grapefruit Soap
A PUMPKIN & A PRINCESS
The invigorating grapefruit scent and exfoliating salt in this bar of soap will provide a refreshing and rejuvenating experience for your mom.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin & a Princess »
BUY NOW Grapefruit Essential Oil, $13; Amazon
Polka Dot Mug
The Crafted Life
If your mom is a coffee drinker, she’ll appreciate the thought and time you put into making her a cheerful morning mug.
Get the tutorial at The Crafted Life »
BUY NOW Pebeo Porcelaine 150 China Paint Marker, $7; Amazon
Watercolor Treat Boxes
PAINT THE GOWN RED
A box of homemade cookies is always welcome. Add an special touch by packing them up in these pretty watercolor boxes.
Get the tutorial at Paint the Gown Red »
BUY NOW Amajoy Paper Favor Boxes, $10; Amazon
Geode Wine Stoppers
Kendall-Jackson
Keep that red wine fresh with these cute, handmade geode stoppers. This super simple DIY will take you less than 15 minutes.
Get the tutorial at Kendall-Jackson »
BUY NOW Zentron Crystal Collection Amethyst Raw Geode Druze Piece, $9; Amazon
Patterned Toiletry Bag
My Poppet
Help your mom wrangle her travel must-haves with this adorable zippered bag—just pick a fabric that matches her personality. Beginner sewers, don’t worry: This is an easy project.
Get the tutorial at My Poppet »
BUY NOW IKEA Ditte Fabric, $3; IKEA
Lemon Bath Bomb
A PUMPKIN & A PRINCESS
A special day should end with a relaxing soak in the tub. A glass of wine and candles are nice, but this lovely lemon bath bomb makes it complete.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin & A Princess »
BUY NOW Wilton Decorating Icing Daisy, $9; Amazon
Cocktail Glass Candles
Lana Red Studio
Keep her home smelling sweet with these handmade candles, made by pouring wax into cocktail glasses. Choose her favorite scent or repurpose a half-used candle.
Get the tutorial at Lana Red Studio »
BUY NOW EricX Light Cotton Candle Wicks, $13; Amazon
Leather Keychains
Polka Dot Chair
Upgrade her keyring with these leather (or pleather) pulls. Use a rotary punch and metal letter stamps to monogram them for a personalized touch.
Get the tutorial at Polkadot Chair »
BUY NOW Leather Alphabet Stamping Kit, $13; Etsy