Kids feel ripples from the recession as allowances dwindle or get cut completely. These gift ideas are sure to please any mom. Price range is free to ten dollars.
The ideas below are easy to make and cost little or nothing, depending on what's on hand at home. Children using scissors or going shopping should be supervised or accompanied by an adult. Make one gift or make all four.
Two Mother's Day Gift Ideas that are Practically Free
Memory Book for Mom. It's fun to look back on fond memories and good times.
You'll need:
3-Prong folder
Markers, stickers, decorations
Pen for writing
Lined and unlined paper
Photos (optional)
Glue
Directions:
Get a 3-prong folder for a cover. Decorate the front using markers, stickers, or just put "Mom" on the front. Add a photo if desired.
On notebook paper write special notes to mom about all the great times shared together over the past year. Add stories and/or poems if desired.
On unlined paper, draw pictures of favorite events shared together or things Mom likes. Glue photos to a few pages too, if desired.
Add the pages to the folder and present to Mom on Mother's Day.
Chore Ticket Booklet. Let Mom cash in on a few good deals over the next few months.
You'll need:
Paper, construction paper, or 3x5 index cards
Safety Scissors and stapler
Decorations, glue, and/or markers
Pen for writing
Directions:
Staple together on one narrow end a dozen 3x5 inch neatly cut strips of paper or construction paper. One can also use index cards to make a coupon booklet. (Note: If using lined index cards, flip the front card so that the lines don't show on top. This is the cover for the booklet.)
Decorate the top page of the booklet as desired.
The following ten pages are the "tickets". On each ticket write a specific chore, such as vacuum floors, wash Mom's car, clean the garage, and so forth. Leave the last page (or card) blank for the back cover.
Give the booklet to Mom on Mother's Day. She can "cash in" a ticket whenever she needs that particular job done.
Two Mother's Day Gifts for Less than Ten Dollars
Container Surprise Project. A pretty addition for Mom's dresser or desk.
You'll need:
An adult to go along for shopping
Glass bowl, decorative box, decorative tin, or pretty dish
One of Mom's favorites, such as wrapped candy, bath beads, soaps, pretty stones or shells
Scissors and Glue
Ribbon (optional)
Directions:
Ask an adult for assistance to go shopping at a local Thrift Store, Flea Market, or Dollar Store. An additional stop at a drug store may also be required.
Buy a pretty glass bowl, decorative box, decorative tin container, or dish.
Fill the bowl or other container with one of these: Mom's favorite candy, bath beads, fancy soaps, pretty stones, shells, or potpourri. Nuts or small fruits can also be used.
Add a ribbon, decorations, or bow if desired.
Present to Mom on Mother's Day.
Keepsake Box for Mom. This is a place for Mom to store small treasures.
You'll need:
Plastic index card file box.
Felt fabric or construction paper
Decorations like small shells, pretty stones, beads, marbles, or whatever Mom might like.
Glue
Directions:
Have an older sibling or adult help buy a plastic index card file box (any size).
Line the bottom of the box with a piece of felt fabric (found in the craft aisle of many stores like Wal-Mart) or use construction paper. Line the underside of the lid too, if desired.
Decorate the top of the lid by gluing a pretty shell or stone, a few marbles, beads or sequins for a decorative touch.
Note: Buy an additional piece of pretty fabric from the store and cover the outside top of the box if desired. The entire box can be covered, but this step requires a little more skill and may be a little too difficult for some children.
Moms appreciate kids' crafts and homemade gifts that come from the heart. The ideas given here don't cost much and many items can be found in the home. Customize the gifts using imagination; for example, if Mom likes horses, then apply horse stickers to a homemade card or a horse photo to the memory book. All that's needed to create a great gift on a kid's budget is a little ingenuity and a lot of thoughtfulness.
Is there a younger brother or sister at home? Check out low-cost gifts young children can make to give to Mom on Mother's Day, and budget gift ideas from teenagers.
The copyright of the article Mother's Day Gifts from Children 6 to 10 Years in Kids Crafts is owned by Mary King. Permission to republish Mother's Day Gifts from Children 6 to 10 Years in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.