It’s that time of year again: Mother’s Day. Obviously everyone wants to spoil their mother. She deserves the world! Unfortunately, chances are you’re a broke college student, so you might not be able to afford a nice necklace or a spa day for her. You can, however, go back to your elementary school days and craft something for her. With some inexpensive supplies, you can make a nice, meaningful gift for your mom.
1. Wood slice painting
These little gems can be picked up at any craft supply store. They’re rustic looking and provide just the right amount of charm. To paint it, apply one coat of primer to whichever side of the slice you’d like. Then apply your base coat of paint in any color. If you aren’t very crafty, you can trace a nice font very easily using tissue paper and a sharpie. First, copy the font onto tissue paper from your computer screen using pencil. Tape down the tissue paper so the font lays where you want it to on the wood slice. Then, trace over the font in black sharpie and it’ll bleed through onto the paint. Finally, color the font in and add any designs you’d like. To make it prettier, add a ribbon to the back to make hanging it easier.
2. Coasters
There are so many routes you can take with this one. If you love painting, you can paint designs onto smaller wood slices or small tiles. You can also use Mod Podge to your advantage. First, Mod Podge the coaster surface you are using, and then lay a piece of fabric or a photo down. Then, take Mod Podge and a brush and spread it over the surface of the fabric or photo. Finally, add a waterproof sealer, such as an epoxy finish.
3. Sugar scrub
This is such an easy gift to make. All you need is 1/2 a cup of coconut oil and two cups of sugar to mix together. You can add whatever scent you like, using essential oils or vanilla extract. For packaging, put it in a mason jar and tie a bow around it. You can also print off a cute logo to put on the jar. Your mother will be sure to love it!
4. Canvas painting
Canvases are cheap, nice gifts. They’re also pretty easy to make, and you can personalize them any way you like. If your mother’s bathroom or bedroom needs some wall art, this would be a great gift. If you want to trace, you can use the steps listed above from the wood slice DIY.
5. Picture frame
A painted picture frame is a great gift for your mother. You can buy a blank wood or foam frame at any crafting store. If it’s wood, paint it first. Then, for foam and wood, add any quotes or embellishments, like flowers or gems. Finally, develop a photo of you and your mother and put it in the frame. She’ll appreciate the personalization.
6. Bath bombs
Give Lush a run for their money and make your own bath bombs. To make a bath bomb, you’ll need baking soda, citric acid, corn starch, Epsom salts, water, essential oil, coconut oil, food coloring and a dome mold. First you combine the dry ingredients, then wet them. Then, you mix everything and press it into the mold. You can make it smell like anything you want and any color. You can find a more detailed guide for making bath bombs here.
You don’t need to break the bank to show your mom you love her on Mother’s Day. It’s super easy to create a gift on your own. You never know, she might appreciate a handmade gift even more.
Photo Credits: theknot.com, buzzfeed.com, robynhurst.com, etsy.com/shop/kalligraphy, etsy.com/shop/BriahLakay, craftgawker.com