Mother’s Day is fast approaching, this year it’s Sunday, May 10th. If you usually take mom out for brunch, lunch, or dinner I doubt it’s going to be the same this year. Most of us are still quarantined, whether self imposed or mandated. But really with the COVID-19 virus still running rampant and without a cure or vaccine in sight do you really want to risk mom’s health, and yours, by dining out?
So instead of going out how about giving mom a gift instead? And what better gift to give mom than something made lovingly for her. Here are some really unique ideas that kids can make with just a bit of help from dad, aunties, or older siblings. Moms can make them too for grandmas, friends, and aunties!
And if you’re like me and don’t really want to go out to shop for supplies there are some ideas here that you won’t need to. I’m sure you have some of the supplies right at home, you’ve probably been using them to keep the kids occupied these last couple of months in quarantine. If not, then just get creative and improvise! So go ahead, have fun and get the whole family involved!
This is one of my favorite gifts, my grandson Devon made it for me a few years ago.
His mom, my daughter, helped him make the hand print tree and write the poem. She then had it framed and Devon presented it to me on Mother’s Day. It proudly hangs in our family room. Here’s the poem, feel free to use it for your projects.
I love this idea of taking a picture in a frame, my daughter did this with her kids last fall!
This pic was done by Moose Photography, professional photographers and posted by Cool Mom Picks But you can DIY it!
You’ll need the same frame in 3-4 sizes depending on how many generations you want to include. Take a photo of the smallest member, the baby, frame that. Take a photo of the next, mom, holding the framed picture of the baby, frame that.
Continue with each generation, grandma, great-grandma, etc.
Be sure the pictures are all taken using the same background.
This is too cute!
This idea came from Tips from a Typical Mom.
Just take photos of your child in 5 different poses, each pose holding a letter to spell “Mommy”. Mat and from the photos. Easy peasy! Great gift for Moms and Grandmas!
These photo flowers in a card stand are adorable and easy to make.
Thanksgiving is in a couple of weeks, that means the kids will be out of school for the very long weekend. Keep them busy making fun inexpensive Thanksgiving crafts while you’re busy in the the kitchen preparing that delicious Thanksgiving Day meal. You can also set a kids’ Thanksgiving table for your little guests and keep them entertained making their own craft projects to take home.
Many of these kid’s crafts are made using things you have at home or inexpensive supplies you can pick up at any discount or dollar store. Recycle toilet paper and paper towel rolls, paper plates, baby food jars, and bottle caps for these crafts.
Paper Roll Turkey from Arstsy-Farsty Mama is a great way to recycle toilet paper and paper towel rolls.
This Pilgrim Hat crayon holder by The Moody Fashionista would look great on the Kids’ Thanksgiving table. Make one for each place setting and add a blank rectangular piece of brown Kraft paper. Kids can make their own placemat!
Instructions here![spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″] Take a tip from Martha Stewart. Kraft paper placemats on the children’s Thanksgiving table will keep your little guests entertained. Add the Pilgrim Hat crayon holder and you’ve got a cute and practical table setting. Kids can take home their crayons and palcemats as party favors!
I love this idea from Alittletipsy.com! Handprint trees! My grandson made me one for mother’s day using different colors. My daughter added a poem and had it framed. It proudly hangs in my family room!
The Thanksgiving table can get very crowded. What with the turkey, side dishes, gravy, and sauces, there’s no place for anyone to actually sit down and eat! I solved this problem long ago by setting up a Thanksgiving Buffet Table for all the food and having an adult table as well as a kids’ table.
Depending on the space you have and the number of guests you are expecting this could take some doing. You might consider setting up different stations or bars; appetizer, sides, desserts, and drinks; or any combination there of. If you’re limited on space your stations may have to do double duty after dinner; appetizer station can be converted to dessert bar.
You may have to think out of the box and re-purpose furniture pieces to hold food and tableware. You will more than likely have to rearrange furniture to accomplish your goal. However you decide to set up the meal it will require advance planning, so much easier to move furniture without a ton of guests milling around.
Here are a few tips to help you set up a Thanksgiving Buffet Table.
1. Plan your serveware. Know ahead of time what dishes you will be using. I usually do this as soon as I’ve planned my menu, making a note beside each dish what I will be serving it in. Be creative, make your buffet interesting by adding height, this also creates space.
I love tiered stands and racks, but you don’t have to spend a fortune buying them. Stands can easily be made from dollar store items with very little time and effort. Check out Savvy Nana’s DIY Hurricane Vases & Lamps to learn how to make your own tiered stands.
You can also stack platters on upside down stemware or bowls to create height. Or use books or boxes wrapped in pretty paper. If you don’t have time to wrap books or boxes, just place them where you want them on the table and cover everything with a large tablecloth. You can even set Plates on pumpkins to create varying heights
For some great ideas on how to set a buffet table watch Kid’s Smart Living‘s video tutorial
A table in the middle of the room allows several guest access to the table at the same time, in this case taller dishes should be placed in the middle of the table. If the table needs to be set up against the wall meaning it will be front serving then taller dishes should be in the back.
2. Once you know which serving pieces you will be using you need to decide what you’re going to put them on. Breakfast tables, sideboards, baking racks, kitchen islands and counters work well as long as at least 2 people can serve themselves at the same time without blocking the way for everyone else. You may have to move furniture to accommodate the this traffic and arrange your serving ware accordingly.
Consider setting out trays of appetizers on coffee tables and end tables in the living or family rooms. This frees up space on the buffet table for the main event.
If you don’t have enough room on the table for plates and eating utensils consider setting up another table, shelf or rack to place them on.
Dinner plates stacked neatly on a chair will work![spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
Make use of all the flat surfaces in your house. Setting up a bar on the mantle works well![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
3. Keep eating utensils neat and within reach by placing them in mason or apothecary jars, or on trays.
4. Decorate your buffet or bar with centerpieces and even a backdrop. You don’t need table cards but they’re a nice touch as is a framed photo or sign. You can hand write your own on card stock or use one of these printable.
I guess it’s that time of year again! We’ve already started the countdown for Halloween at our house. I’ve been busy making costumes for the grands, Halloween cards and decorations. We’re also starting to plan this year’s Halloween party for my grandson Jett. It’s supposed to be a small one, but we’ll see. Our parties tend to grow as we plan.
One of the activities we love during the Halloween season, in our family that’s pretty much the whole month of October, is the neighborhood game “You’ve Been Booed!”. We play it in our neighborhood every year. It’s a great way to get to know some of your neighbors and a good way to teach kids about sharing and giving.
The older kids love helping prepare the gift baskets, but the highlight is really dropping them off without being seen!
If you’re not familiar with the game I’ll explain. The object of the game is to anonymously drop off a Halloween treat to 2 of your neighbors without being seen. You must include a copy of the poem and game instructions with your treat, as well as a sign that let’s everyone know that house has been booed.
The treat recipient hangs the we’ve been booed somewhere visible so everyone knows that house has gotten a treat. Then each recipient will continue the game by giving treats to 2 other neighbors who haven’t been booed yet.
I know I said it’s a neighborhood game, but really you can play it in school or at the office too!
By the way the treat doesn’t have to be just candy, you can include stickers, decor, and other fun Halloween stuff. You can be as creative as you want!
To help you get started we’re sharing 2 new designs for Halloween 2016! Each design has the instructions and the sign hung by the recipient. You have a choice of “I’ve been booed” or “We’ve been booed” . If you’re playing in school or at the office you may want to display the I’ve been booed sign.
Just click on the link, download and print! Enjoy!
Should your baby shower have a theme? Here we’ll help you find the perfect theme to kick off your new life with your baby as you explore dozens of creative baby shower theme ideas.
Picking a baby shower theme should reflect the personality and interests of the parents, but narrowing down all of the options can be a hassle. Depending on if your shower is a neighborhood potluck, a gender reveal or a simple Sunday brunch, we’ve gathered hundreds of baby shower theme ideas that will delight any parent-to-be.
This gender neutral baby shower theme features vintage toys, sweet baby’s breath flowers, and white decorations.
Elephants make great baby shower themes for girls that your guests will never forget!
Your favorite iconic children’s toy is great inspiration for a baby boy shower theme, like the classic sock monkey.
Skulls and cactii from the desert are the ultimate decor for a modern chic themed baby shower right now.
An amazing boy baby shower always includes adorable decorations, sweet printable details, a delicious assortment of desserts (cake, cookies, and candy) and charming details. This yellow vintage baby shower features the cutest duck printables, old children’s books, gingham checks and vintage glassware. You will be smiling over all of the bright, cheerful details.
A new baby definitely calls for tossing some confetti in celebration! This confetti baby shower is a unique theme and fun way to honor an expectant mother. Recreate the look by incorporating plenty of confetti inspired dots throughout the decorations and treats. You can DIY paper circle garlands by punching circles of varying sizes in party colors and sewing them into strings for hanging. Wrap boxes in polka dot paper to display a variety of delicious treats like cookies, cupcakes and cake pops.
Mother’s Day is fast approaching; but you still have plenty of time to think of something to give Mom this year. If you’re thinking about taking her out to brunch or dinner you better make reservations now! Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days for most restaurants, that’s probably because Moms don’t want to cook on Mother’s Day, I know I don’t!
Instead of taking her out this year why not make Mom breakfast in bed? You don’t have to be a great cook, it can be as simple as bringing her a bowl of cereal or even a pop tart and a glass of orange juice. The idea is to make the day special by doing something for Mom instead of how it usually works, Mom getting up and doing for everyone in the house!
Here are some ideas and recipes for Mother’s Day breakfast in bed. I hope it will inspire you this Mother’s Day!
First things first! It all begins with a tray, you’ll need to put her food on something to carry it to her room. Even if it’s just a pop-tart it will look yummy dressed up plated on a nice dish and served on a pretty tray with a flower from the garden.
Buckets of Burlap up-cycles pallet wood to make this pretty breakfast tray table.
For a multi-purpose tray try this up-cycled cabinet door by So You Think You’re Crafty. You can serve her breakfast and wish her Happy Mother’s Day on the chalkboard tray!
If you don’t have an old cabinet door you can paint an old metal or plastic tray with chalkboard paint and add a couple of cabinet pulls from the hardware store to make a similar tray. Or just paint the frame of a chalkboard and add the cabinet pulls for handles. Lots of possibilities here to show off your craftiness!
Now that your “stage” is set you’ll need to move on to the main event, FOOD! Whether you’re a top chef or a kitchen klutz I’m sure you’ll find something yummy to serve Mom. Just remember presentation is everything; even a store bought donut can look special plated on fine china with a paper doily from Walmart.
Want to impress Mom with your culinary skills? Cook her up some of these yummy things from Donal Skehan.
Ok, so you don’t cook, you can still impress her with a yogurt parfait topped with fresh fruit and granola. You can buy it all from the market or go ahead try your hand at some homemade granola.
Somewhere in between chef and klutz? How about these “Love” pancakes from Stepable?
It’s done using boxed pancake mix, you basically just add water and stir if you get the quick pancake mix!
You can fry up any letter you want to send your own special message.
Oh, right! You’re banned from the kitchen because you’re the burn the kitchen type of cook! No worries, pop on over to the neighborhood coffee shop and pick up a couple of pastries and her favorite tea or coffee. Slip them out of the bag and plate them on a doily covered dish and pour the hot drink in a pretty cup or mug, she’ still love it!
You can serve mom her favorite tea or coffee in a pretty cup or mug and a pitcher of OJ or her favorite juice. If you want to make it really special whip up one of these morning beverages.
Wake her up with a fruity Sunrise Mimosa from Wine & Glue.
Serve your beverages, hot & cold, in pretty carafes and tea or coffee pots so she can have refills. Saves you from going back and forth to the kitchen for them.
Here’s the poem, feel free to use it for your projects.
Give mom some of these yummy strawberry bath salts by Crafts Unleashed. And Cute Gifts for new moms.
The Keylor Family made this lovely framed silhouette.
Learn how to make this Mason Jar Picture Frame Vase from Home Stories A to Z click here!
This is too cute!
Here’s a unique way to use a picture frame from Making the World Cuter.
Kids will love to make these fizzy bath bombs and moms will love soaking in them!
Salt dough heart footprints by Roaming Rosie on Hub Pages are a cute idea. Kids can help mix they dough!
Paper Roll Turkey from 
This Pilgrim Hat crayon holder by 
Take a tip from 
Take a break from making turkeys and make a Paper Pumpkin from 
I love this idea from 
A variation on the handprint trees are handprint turkeys! This craft from 
Another puppet craft from 
Paper plate turkey from 
Thanksgiving head gear! Love these Pilgrim Hats from 
Take the head gear one step up and make this Turkey Pilgrim headband by 
You can also stack platters on upside down stemware or bowls to create height. Or use books or boxes wrapped in pretty paper. If you don’t have time to wrap books or boxes, just place them where you want them on the table and cover everything with a large tablecloth. You can even set Plates on pumpkins to create varying heights
I guess it’s that time of year again! We’ve already started the countdown for Halloween at our house. I’ve been busy making costumes for the grands, Halloween cards and decorations. We’re also starting to plan this year’s Halloween party for my grandson Jett. It’s supposed to be a small one, but we’ll see. Our parties tend to grow as we plan.
If you’re not familiar with the game I’ll explain. The object of the game is to anonymously drop off a Halloween treat to 2 of your neighbors without being seen. You must include a copy of the poem and game instructions with your treat, as well as a sign that let’s everyone know that house has been booed.
Should your 
Elephants make great baby shower themes for girls that your guests will never forget!
Skulls and cactii from the desert are the ultimate decor for a modern chic themed baby shower right now.
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