How to Make Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

Add a colorful ribbon to fresh flowers bouquets for a personal touch.

Even if you've waited until the last minute to find a present for mom, it's still possible to make personalized gifts for Mother's Day. The best gift, of course, is one from the heart--and there's no better way to show your love and appreciation for the first woman in your life than by hand-making her something special. She doesn't need to know you threw it together at the eleventh hour. A personalized gift basket, fresh flower bouquets or her favorite wine are quick and handy gift ideas for Mother's Day when time is of the essence.

Things You'll Need

• Ribbon or raffia
• Basket(s)
• Large sheets of cellophane
• Kraft paper or gift wrap
• Crinkle paper or other basket filler
• Assortment of Mom's favorite beauty products
• Selection of chocolates, nuts or fruits
• Wine with paired cheeses
• Wine glasses
• Corkscrew

Instructions

Personalized Fresh Flower Bouquets

1. Buy one or two fresh flower bouquets at the supermarket or convenience store.

2. Remove the cellophane wrapping. Re-wrap the bouquets in brown kraft paper or gift wrap.

3. Trim the stems of the fresh flower bouquets if necessary. The flower buds should come just slightly out of the cone of paper, and the stem ends should just extend past the other end of the cone.

4. Tie with a colorful ribbon or piece of raffia, and include a handmade card.

Personalized Gift Basket With Beauty Products

1. Buy a medium-sized wicker basket from a craft store, with or without a handle.

2. Visit your local drugstore and buy a few of mom's favorite beauty products, such as moisturizer, shampoo, lip gloss or perfume. The items don't have to be expensive, the idea is to buy products you know she'll actually use.

3. Stuff some crinkle paper (available at craft stores) or crinkled cellophane in the bottom of the gift basket.

4. Add the beauty products and set the filled basket in the center of a large piece of cellophane. Bring the side of the cellophane up around the basket, securing the contents, and tie it closed with a big ribbon.

Personalized Gift Basket With Munchies

1. Buy a large wicker basket, inexpensive picnic hamper or decorative bowl to house the selection of snacks for mom.

2. Buy a few boxes of her favorite munchies at the grocery store--focus on the snacks she really loves, like chocolates, nuts, candies or a medley of fruit.

3. Line the personalized gift basket with a pretty linen dish towel, tissue paper or cellophane. Fill the basket with the treats. To add a special touch, include a coupon for two tickets to the local movie theater, or even a DVD of her favorite film.

4. Place the basket in the center of a large piece of cellophane, bring up the sides and tie with a ribbon. Include a thoughtful card.

Wine And Cheese Gift Basket

1. Buy a bottle of mom's favorite wine or cordial. Don't forget to remove the price tag.

2. Visit a home-goods store and buy an inexpensive basket or wicker bucket (not plastic), along with two glasses for the wine or cordial and a nice corkscrew. Be sure to buy the proper type of glasses for the kind of wine you've bought.

3. Pair the wine with one or two types of cheese.

4. Stuff the basket or bucket half-full with crinkle paper or tissue paper, then carefully add the wine, glasses, corkscrew and cheeses. Make sure the glasses are insulated with crinkle paper so they won't clink against each other.

5. Finish your wine and cheese gift basket with a ribbon and a homemade card.

6. Give your last-minute gift to mom immediately so the cheeses can be refrigerated.

References

• Not Made of Money.com: 15 Gift Basket Ideas to Stretch Your Gift Budget

Resources

• "The Gift Basket Design Book"; Shirley George Frazier; 2008