5 inexpensive ways kids can make their moms feel like a million bucks
By Brittany Anas
If they could, your little ones would drive their motorized Barbie cars or Jeeps up to the mall and use their allowance to splurge on Mother’s Day gifts. Instead, they can make you feel like a million bucks with some made-from-the-heart gifts — without leaving the neighborhood or dipping into their piggy bank savings.
Listen up, Dads. You’re going to play the role of “project manager” for some of these Mother’s Day cooking and craft experiments. We’ve thrown in some simple ideas that pack a lot of meaning.
- Healthy funny face bagel: Toast a bagel, spread it with some light cream cheese, use thin slices of cucumber for “eyes” and a slice of tomato for the smiley face — a sweet and easy recipe courtesy of Real Simple. Serve with a glass of orange juice in bed on an antique walnut breakfast-in-bed tray from Walmart.
- Make a coupon book: Offer up free labor with a coupon book with offerings of car washes, massages, yard work and doing the dishes. Use construction paper and markers to make the homemade coupons, or print free downloadable coupon templates online.
- Paper tulips: Genius! These crafty paper tulips will never wilt — so long as you don’t water them, of course. Craftideas.info provides the template for the paper project and recommends the craft for kids ages 9 and older. The paper bouquet would brighten up a nightstand or windowsill. The supply list is pretty basic — construction paper, hot glue, wooden skewers, etc. Encourage your kiddo to write a poem to go with the bouquet.
- Go for a swim: If it’s warm enough in your hometown, visit an outdoor pool. Pack Mom her favorite book and L’Oreal sunscreen with bronzer from Drugstore.com. If temperatures are still a bit chilly, spend some quality time with your mom by taking her on a bike ride or a walk.
- Create an art gallery: Gather up some of your kids’ best art projects, take snapshots and send them off to the Simple as That Digital Shop. In a two-day turnaround, you’ll have a personalized art collage set that you can print out and frame — beginning at just $2.50.
- Do yoga at home: Roll out the yoga mat for mom and help her relax with some in-home ohm. Practicing yoga together will help you bond. Pick up the Element: Yoga for Energy and Relaxation DVD from QVC.
Other articles you might also like:
• Five secrets to help you get your best night’s sleep
• Skinny cocktails, backyard games and other healthy ways to celebrate Mother’s Day
• Pole dancing as a workout? One mom says it has her in her best shape ever
• 7 free activities to put on your spring and summer must-do list
