How to Help Your Child Choose a Mother's Day Gift

Even before they've turned two, most children have grasped the meaning - and the pleasure - of giving things to the special people in their lives. With just a little help, even the youngest child can give Mom a day to remember for a long time to come.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Art Sets
• Artist's Brushes
• Gift Ribbons
• Tissue Paper
• Colored Crayons
• Craft Paints
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• Wrapping Paper
• Baking Supplies
• Children's Arts And Crafts Magazines
• Art Papers
• Colored Pencils
• Tissue paper

1. Encourage the child to make something for Mom or Grandma. Kids are natural creators, and you can be sure the recipient will cherish a handmade gift more than anything mere money could buy.

2. Gather a supply of good-quality art paper and crayons, colored pencils or paints (either the finger version or brush-on) and set the young artist to work. Then frame the result as you would a piece of grownup art from a gallery.

3. Take the child to a do-it-yourself ceramics studio to make a plate, mug or bowl. The process is simple enough for a three- or four-year-old. You paint a design of your choice on a piece of pre-made pottery, leave it to be kiln-fired by the expert staff and come back for it a few days later. Kids love it.

4. Help a budding chef bake up a batch of Mom's favorite cookies, or a special cake with "I Love You, Mom" scrawled in frosting across the top.

5. Give older children whatever they need to undertake more sophisticated projects, and offer suggestions if they're short of ideas. Beeswax candles, handmade photo albums and scrapbooks, and boxes covered with decorative paper are simple enough for anyone over the age of five or six.

6. Suggest that a child write a poem, essay or story for Mom (written by hand, not on a computer - it's more personal that way). If there are several children in the family, encourage them to stage a play or put on a show. (Don't forget to make a video and take lots of still pictures.)

7. Succumb if a child insists on buying a present in a store, but require that the funds come out of the child's allowance, or that he or she earn the money by doing household chores. Likewise, avoid making gift suggestions (after all, this present is from the child, not from you), and remember that Mother or Grandma will be delighted with any gift.

Tips & Warnings

• Almost every town has at least one do-it-yourself framing shop where knowledgeable staff will help you select mats and moldings, then cut them to size and show you how to put them together. You'll spend a fraction of what it would cost to have a pro do the job, and you'll be done in an hour or so.
• Unless you're really desperate for time, steer clear of things such as napkin rings made from toilet paper rolls; with a little help even the youngest child can produce something more lasting and sophisticated. For inspiration, supplies and expert advice, visit a local craft shop or art-supply shop. The staff can offer ideas for projects suitable to the ages and tastes of the kids involved.