Five Unique & Affordable Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

^{This post is a collaboration with Shutterfly.com.}

My mom is in her late sixties and between Birthdays, Christmases and Mother’s Days, I’ve given her every gift idea under the sun.  So this year I tried to come up with something that would mean  alot to her without costing an arm and a leg.  (Single mom here, on a budget!).  My mom has advanced Parkinson’s disease and there are many things she used to do that she can no longer do so my gift ideas are somewhat limited.  She can no longer paint or craft or any of the things she used to love to do so how do I come up with something meaningful to relay to her just how much I love and adore her?  These are a few things I’ve come up with and perhaps one of them will be perfect for your mom too!

Gift Idea 1 – Customized Mother’s Bracelet

Last year I got her a Mother’s Bracelet from Pearls by Laurel and she absolutely adored it!  It was customized with my brothers’, my moms’ and my birthstones and only cost $29.95.  It shipped quickly and came in a nice box, perfect for a gift.  She wears it every time she leaves the house and in my book, that qualifies as a win!

 Gift Idea 2 – Customized Photo Book

This year I’m getting my mom a customized photo book with photos of her children and grandchildren.  Starting at just $11.69, I can chose from five different sizes and a variety of cover options and unique backgrounds, then fill the pages with my mom’s story. I can make her memory book unique with my own title and a favorite photo on the cover, or even choose from several different premium leather options.  Shutterfly makes it easy and affordable to create a one-of-a-kind gift that all mom’s will love and cherish their entire lives.  

Gift Idea 3 – Recipe/Cookbook

Is your mom a fabulous cook?  Does she have family recipes passed down from generation to generation?  You can make her a family cookbook, customized, just like the photo book mentioned above!  These unique keepsakes are meant to be passed down to future generations.  You can add  photos of your favorite dishes and insert captions to showcase the ingredients and emphasize cooking directions.   Shutterfly has a variety of fun layouts and background motifs that you can use to make your family cookbook quickly and easily, yet still have a unique and professionally made book.

Gift Idea 4 – DIY Mini Album Scrapbook

Are you a crafter/scrapbooker?  Make your mom a one-of-a-kind mini album/scrapbook and include photos of yourself and your siblings growing up with mom.  Something she will be able to look at over and over throughout the years and remember the special moments spent with you.  Mini Albums are fun and easy to create, they can be simple and pre-made where you just embellish and add photos or you can create one from scratch using your crafting supplies.  I made my mom a mini album a few years ago and she not only loves it but she shows it off to all of our family and friends and likes to brag about her “creative and talented” daughter (lol).

Here are some links to give you some ideas on how to create your own mini album.

• Creative Cafe Girl has a long list of free video tutorials showing you how to create many different kinds of mini albums from chipboard to paper bag albums, you’ll find something you love here.
• Dawn’s Inspirations also lists video tutorials of different kinds of mini albums you can make.
• Kathy Orta from Paper Phenomenon has been teaching crafters of all skill levels how to make mini albums for years.  She is very well known for her crafting skills.
• You can also try searching Pinterest for mini album ideas.  Here is the link I used:  Pinterest Mini Album Tutorial Search

Gift Idea 5 – Photo Gifts

Shutterfly has an entire shop dedicated to customized photo gifts.  Gift ideas include items such as table runners, iphone cases, customized office supplies and even puzzles and games!  All you need is a photo and you are on your way to making a one-of-a-kind gift for your mom.

I hope this post helps you find the perfect, unique and meaningful gift idea for your mom this Mother’s Day.  And to the mom’s out there reading this post, consider leaving this page open on your computer so your significant other can see what you want this year! (lol) Leaving little hints here and there is always a good idea!

Happy Mother’s Day!