Did you ever colour in a handmade Mother’s Day card at school? Or spend all of your lunchtime picking out the perfect gift for Mum at the annual school stall? These special Mother’s Day gift traditions from when you were younger might be some of Mum’s most treasured memories.

This year, why not tap into that nostalgia and create a heartfelt, homemade Mother’s Day gift for the special mother figure in your life? Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for your own mum, grandma or another important person, or want to help your little ones craft something truly special, these DIY ideas are sure to bring a smile. 

From potted paper flowers bursting with colour to a beautifully beaded necklace, these nostalgic Mother’s Day gifts are perfect for adults looking to recreate the magic of childhood crafts, and for parents wanting to help their kids create something meaningful.

DIY Mother’s Day Gift: Photo Collage Bookmark

A DIY bookmark Mother’s Day gift, made using two family photos and decorated with colourful heart, star and smiley face stickers, shown on a yellow background.

If Mum loves to unwind with a good book, a handmade bookmark crafted with treasured memories will make a precious and practical present.

What You’ll Need

Instructions

A series of images showing how to cut out a bookmark shape and photos, and glue them together. This example uses blue cardboard.

Step 1: From the short edge of an A4 piece of cardboard (in their favourite colour, of course), use a ruler to measure 6cm at the top and bottom of the page. 

Step 2: Draw a line to connect the two marks and cut along the line with a pair of scissors. This is the base of your bookmark.

Step 3: Trim your printed photos to your desired size, making sure they fit inside your bookmark. The size of your photos will depend on how many you want to include in your design. Use glue to stick your photos into place on your bookmark.

A series of images showing how to decorate a bookmark for a Mother’s Day gift idea. This example uses colourful, holographic star, heart and smiley face stickers.

‍Step 4: Decorate your DIY bookmark with different stickers like stars, hearts and smiley faces. Flip the bookmark over and add Mum’s name or a sweet message with coloured pencils or markers. Be sure to leave some space at the top for a ribbon hole, which we will create in a later step.

A series of images showing how to laminate and cut out a bookmark using a home laminator and laminating pouches.

Step 5: Once you’re happy with your design, place the bookmark in a laminate pouch and put it through a laminator, following the instructions of the device. Or, pop into Officeworks’ and visit the Print + Create counter to get your bookmark laminated.

Step 6: Use scissors to cut out your bookmark, leaving a small border of laminate to ensure it remains sealed.

A series of images showing how to punch a hole in a bookmark and thread a ribbon through it. This example uses a heart-shaped punch and lilac-coloured ribbon.

‍Step 7: Take a hole punch and add a hole at the top of the bookmark. Poke both ends of a ribbon through the hole and thread them into the loop of the ribbon. Pull tight to secure it to the bookmark.

Mother’s Day Hamper Idea: There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book and a warm drink. Pair Mum’s personalised bookmark with a luxurious selection of teas and vibrant mug and coaster set for an extra touch of indulgence.

SEE ALSO: Canvas Collage Inspiration: From Photos to Abstract Art

DIY Mother’s Day Gift: Air Dry Clay Photo Magnet

A photo magnet made for a DIY Mother’s Day gift using air dry clay, purple paint, a family photo and embellishments, being held above a craft mat on a yellow surface.

Create a special addition to the photo collage on your family’s fridge with this air dry clay craft. 

What You'll Need 

Instructions 

A series of images showing how to roll and cut out clay to create the magnet shapes. This example uses a craft mat, a paper cup, clay tools and a rolling pin.

‍Step 1: On a silicone craft mat, use a rolling pin to evenly roll out roughly 200 grams of air dry clay to just over half a centimetre thickness. 

Step 2: Using the top and bottom of a paper cup, cut out two circles with a clay cutting tool. Peel back the excess clay and use again to make more circles, or save to use for another project. You should end up with one large and small circle. Smooth out any rough edges or marks with your fingertips and a small amount of water.

A series of images showing how to cut out the clay to create the photo frame. This example uses a craft mat and a circle-shaped dough cutter.

Step 3: Take your larger circle and cut out the centre with a shape cutter. This is where your photo will go so be sure to choose a simple shape like a circle, star or heart. Keep the cut-out to make another fridge magnet or recycle the clay to use again later.

Step 4: Leave your pieces to dry for 24 hours, or until completely dry.

A series of images showing how to paint the clay shapes. This example uses a craft mat, lilac-coloured acrylic paint and a fine paintbrush.

Step 5: Once dry, use acrylic paint to paint your pieces in their favourite colour. Let the paint dry completely before the next step.

A series of images showing how to decorate the clay frame shape. This example uses a craft mat, pearl stickers and blue and purple rhinestones.

Step 6: Add some special touches with decorative embellishments such as pearl stickers and gems.

A series of images showing how to varnish the clay pieces. This example uses a craft mat, varnish and a fine paintbrush.

‍Step 7: Paint a layer of varnish over your pieces to seal your design and add some shine. Leave to dry completely.

A series of images showing how to cut out a photo and assemble the clay shapes to create the photo frame. This example uses a black marker, scissors and a glue gun.

Step 8: While your pieces dry, use scissors to cut your chosen photo to the size of the smaller circle.

Step 9: When the varnish on your clay pieces is dry, it’s time to assemble. Use a hot glue gun to stick your photo to the smaller clay circle. Then, take your larger circle and line the back of your inner shape with hot glue. Stick on top of your photo and backing. 

A series of images showing how to glue magnets to the back of the clay frame. This example uses a craft mat and glue gun.

Step 10: Turn your photoframe over and glue at least two magnets on the back.

Mother’s Day Hamper Idea: Pair your nostalgic photo magnet gift with a stylish weekly planner so you can see when there are more opportunities to create precious family memories.

SEE ALSO: Make DIY Home Decor with These Resin Art Projects

DIY Mother’s Day Gift: Paper Flower Pot‍

Brighten up Mum’s days with a pot of flowers always in bloom with this sweet paper craft.

What You'll Need

Instructions

A series of images showing how to create flower stems for a paper flower pot. This example uses green paper, a metal ruler, a HB pencil and scissors.

‍Step 1: Use a ruler and pencil to make marks 1cm-wide along the long edge of an A4 piece of green paper, at the top and bottom. Use a craft knife and cutting mat to trim the excess at the end.

Step 2: Draw a line to connect each centimetre mark. 

Step 3: Turn your paper over and fold in half, lengthways. Your pencil lines should be facing outwards.

Step 4: From the folded edge, cut along the pencil lines with scissors, stopping a centimetre from the edge of the paper. Repeat the whole way along the piece of paper.

A series of images showing how to assemble the flower stems and pot for a paper flower pot using a hot glue gun, scissors and double-sided tape.

Step 5: Stick the open edges of the paper together with double-sided tape. 

Step 6: Starting at a short edge, loosely roll up the paper to create a circle and stick together with more double-sided tape. This is the stem of your flowers.

Step 7: Prepare your flower pot by trimming 1cm from the top of a paper cup so your flowers can easily spread over the sides. Then, line the bottom edge of your flower stems with hot glue and stick in the centre of the paper cup pot.

A series of images showing how to create flowers for a paper flower pot. This example uses orange and yellow coloured paper, scissors and glue.

Step 8: Time to prepare your blooms. Measure and cut 4cm by 4cm squares from a variety of different coloured paper. For the centres, cut out small circles from yellow paper.

Step 9: To create the flowers, fold a square diagonally in half to create a triangle. Repeat these folds two more times. 

Step 10: Hold the folded point of the triangle between two fingers, so the open edges of your triangle are facing upwards. Starting from the side with the fold, use scissors to trim around the top of your triangle to create a half-heart shape. Unfold to reveal your flower and use a glue stick to stick on your flower’s centre. Repeat this step 28 times to create a flower for each of your paper stems.

A series of images showing how to assemble a paper flower pot. This example uses a glue stick, green paper for the stems and blue, pink, red, yellow and orange paper for the flowers.

Step 11: Assemble your flower pot and stick your flowers to the tip of each stem, encouraging them to spread out a little bit by gently pressing the outer flower stems down.

Mother’s Day Hamper Idea: Indulge Mum’s love of all things floral with some elegant stationery or decor that’ll pair perfectly with these pretty paper flowers.

SEE ALSO: How to Create Handmade Cards

DIY Mother’s Day Gift: DIY Beaded Necklace

A pile of beads of various shapes and colours between two completed beaded necklaces, arranged on a yellow surface.

Take the classic macaroni necklace to another level by creating a custom piece of jewellery with colourful wooden and polymer clay beads.

What You'll Need 

Instructions

A series of images showing beads of different shapes, colours and sizes, along with a pair of hands painting a bead using orange acrylic paint and a fine paintbrush.

Step 1: Use acrylic paint and a paint brush to add some colour to wooden beads. For vibrant and even results, paint at least two coats. Add more variety to your design and create your own beads from polymer clay with this expert how-to guide.  

A series of images showing how to assemble a beaded necklace by threading beads onto a piece of twine.

Step 2: Once your painted beads are dry, measure some twine to the desired length and thread the beads to create an eye-catching design. Once you’re happy with your creation, tie a knot with the ends of your twine.

Mother’s Day Hamper Idea: Gift Mum a dedicated spot for treasured trinkets (including cherished homemade beaded necklaces!) with a beautiful ceramic tray.

SEE ALSO: DIY Gift Ideas to Celebrate Life’s Small Moments

DIY Mother’s Day Gift: Pressed Flower Window

A handmade pressed flower window for a Mother’s Day gift, made using various dried, pressed flowers, book covering and coloured cardboard, being held up against a yellow surface.

Preserve Mum’s favourite blooms so she can enjoy them all year round with this sweet pressed flower craft that can become wall art or a floral stained glass decoration.

What You'll Need 

Instructions

Step 1: Collect some flowers and greenery from your backyard. Look for smaller flowers; we used bougainvilleas, petunias, daisies and violets. 

Step 2: To press your flowers, carefully arrange them on plain facial tissues or non textured paper towels. Place another tissue on top and press with a flat, heavy object like a coffee table book. Alternatively, place your tissues and flowers inside the pages of a book and apply further weight with more books once closed.

Step 3: Leave your flowers in a dark, dry place for a week before replacing the tissues and pressing again. Repeat this step for another two to three weeks, or until the flowers are completely dried out. It’s essential the flowers are completely dry to ensure they’re nicely preserved before sealing.

A series of images showing how to create a frame for a pressed flower window. This example uses green cardboard, a craft knife, a metal ruler and a HB pencil

Step 4: When your dried flowers are ready, you can start preparing your window frame. Measure a 4cm-thick border on two A4 pieces of thick cardboard.

Step 5: On a cutting mat, use a craft knife and steel ruler to cut out the insert on both pieces of cardboard. You should be left with two identical frames. Set aside.

A series of images showing how to arrange flowers to create a pressed flower window. This example uses a variety of dried, pressed flowers and a contact sheet cut into an A4 size.

Step 6: Measure and cut two pieces of clear contact to the same size as an A4 page.

Step 7: Peel the backing from one of the contact sheets, with the sticky side facing up. Carefully arrange your florals facing down. Be sure to keep them more in the centre of the contact paper and take the 4cm border into account.

A series of images showing how to create a pressed flower window. This example uses a metal ruler and another A4-sized contact sheet to seal in the flowers.

Step 8: Once your arrangement is complete, peel a small portion of the backing from your second sheet of contact, carefully line up the edges and stick together.

Step 9: With a helping pair of hands, secure the edges of the contact sheets and slowly peel the remainder of the paper backing while smoothing down the upper contact sheet; a ruler can be helpful in this step. Be careful to avoid any air bubbles.

Step 10: Clean up the edges and trim at least 1cm from your contact paper.

A series of images showing how to assemble a pressed flower window by taping the pressed flower window between the A4 cardboard window frames.

Step 11: Line the edges of both your frames with double sided tape. Place your pressed flower window on top of a frame and firmly press down to stick together. 

Step 12: Complete your pressed flower window by placing the remaining frame tape-side down on top of the bottom frame and clear contact sheet.

Mother’s Day Hamper Idea: Infuse Mum’s space with tranquility and pair this pressed flower stained glass window with a soothing diffuser for the ultimate sense of calm. 

SEE ALSO: How to Make Your Own Gel Plate Print

‍Colour in a Mother’s Day Card

A series of images showing a Mother’s Day card, against a yellow surface, being coloured in using markers of various colours.

A handmade card will add a sweet finishing touch for a Mother's Day gift. Print out this card and grab your favourite coloured markers or pencils, or create a flower collage card with this step-by-step. Don’t forget to add a special message to Mum inside.

A series of images showing the greeting “Dear Mum, Happy Mother’s Day! Love from, Alex” being written into a homemade card that has been coloured in.

What You'll Need