Did you know: Mothering Sunday in England was celebrated as far back as the 1600s on the fourth Sunday of Lent to honor mothers. After a prayer service in church to honor Virgin Mary, Christian children brought gifts and flowers to pay tribute to their mothers.
Present Day traditions of gifting flowers, cards and other gifts have become commercialised to a great extent, largely due to America. Florists, card manufacturers and gift sellers see huge business potential from the day.
Handmade and personalised gifts are often a more favourable gift from children to their mothers.
Here we show 10 crafty ideas to get you going in your classroom or setting.
Decorating a small Canvas
These small blank canvases can be painted and embellished to create a beautiful gift. Suggestions would be flowers, hand prints or perhaps a painting of the family? These can be hung on the wall for all to see.
Tissue Paper Wreaths
Tissue paper is a great resource to have on hand for collage and this easy wreath looks beautiful covered in bright tissue paper pieces. Simply cut a wreath base from coloured card by drawing round a small plate and for the centre use a mug. Push a small hole through using a pencil – this will be used for hanging ribbon later. Then encourage the children to add glue and stick lightly screwed up squares of coloured tissue paper. Once the whole wreath is covered add some ribbon to hang and a bow at the bottom to finish. What a lovely gift for mum or grandma.
Pom-Pom Critters
Did you know that pom poms can be made into these fabulous critters! These are a quirky unusual gift which children will love to make. Use a variety of colour and size pom pom to create these with foam sheet feet to stand on, pipe cleaner antennae, wiggly eyes and even add a feather or two to finish off! We love these!
Treat Baskets
Fun and easy to decorate these cute papier mache baskets are just made for holding ‘tasty treats’. Simply decorate with paints, decopatch papers, glitter, acrylic gems and flower jewels, sequins and buttons to create a unique gift to take home for mum.
Fancy Frames
Frames make a great gift. These can be decorated and personalised with a favourite picture of the child or family. The attractively bright pack can be used to create these beautiful frames and are an easy to do make using the foam classroom pack which has everything you need to make these lovely gifts.
The papier mache hanging frames with 2 aperture designs to choose from (heart or star), make a nice activity to do in the classroom – decorate with decopatch papers, paint, sequins, buttons and glitter.
Finally, these wooden standing frames can be painted or decopatched, then embellished, making them a nice simple craft to take home as a gift with the addition of a photograph.
Toilet Roll Bugs
Used toilet roll tubes or craft rolls are a great resource. This cute critter would make mum smile and can be painted any colour or pattern. Try a smart stripey fella with a bow tie or without wings, add feet to the base and it would make a lovely pen holder. The wiggly eyes make all the difference – try using one larger than the other as this gives a quirky effect.
Wire Flower
These are ideal for older children. A unique and very creative gift. Our expert Paul Carney explains how to create these beautiful flowers. View the How to Blog here for this activity.
Personalised Porcelain Mugs
What mum doesn’t need a nice mug for her cup of tea or coffee? Children can have fun personalising blank mugs using Porcelain paints or markers. Flowers make a lovely decoration or perhaps a drawing of the family.
Butterfly weaving Craft
Pretty butterfly gifts for mum. These strong but delicate looking mesh butterfly weaving shapes are perfect for creating a gorgeous take home gift. Children will love to experiment with pattern, colour and texture whist developing fine motor skills.
