Mother's Day Gifts from Budget-Strapped Teens
Tweens and Teens Low on Cash Can Give Customized Presents to Mom
Apr 25, 2009
Adults are not the only ones feeling a pinch to the wallet. Many teenagers have lost allowances; and even those with part-time jobs are strapped for cash. Mother's Day is fast approaching, so here are a few low-cost ideas to help teens low on funds make Mom's day special.
Mother's Day Gift Ideas from Tweens and Teens
Heart-Shaped Cake for Mother.
You'll need:
- A 2-layer box cake mix (plus eggs, water, and oil, depending on package directions) Be sure it's Mom's favorite flavor
- 1 can of frosting, Mom's favorite flavor
- Candy sprinkles – and/or – gel writing tube
- 8-inch square baking pan and an 8-inch round baking pan (or use a heart-shaped pan if you have one.)
- A piece of stiff cardboard 14" x 14" Line the cardboard with aluminum foil. A pizza pan that's at least 14" in diameter will also do. Line the pan with foil or leave unlined.
Directions:
- Check the back of the cake mix box to see what's needed to make the cake (eggs, oil, water). Get help with making the cake if needed. Divide the batter evenly between the round and square pans. When the layers are finished baking, take them out of the oven and let them cool completely.
- Turn cake layers out of the pans and cut the round layer in half. Position the square layer as a "diamond" on the foil-lined cardboard (or pizza pan) and put each round half against the top left and right edges of the diamond to make a heart. Frost the entire cake and decorate with sprinkles and/or write Happy Mother's Day with the gel tube.
- Present to Mom on Mother's Day.
Decorated Clay Flower Pot(s).
You'll need:
- Terra-cotta or plastic pot (Buy a single pot, or a pair, or even a set of four).
- Craft Glue (or water-proof glue)
- Small shells, small pretty stones, beads, permanent markers, acrylic paint and sealer (Any one of these items or a combination works fine.)
- Plant(s) for the pots (optional)
Directions:
- Decorate the pot(s) with paints or markers, and/or glue on beads, shells, or pretty stones.
- If using acrylic paints, allow paint to dry and apply sealer as directed on spray can.
- Give the decorated pots as they are, or fill with one (or two) of Mom's favorite plants.
Note: Choose water-tolerant decorative items, as plants will have to be watered. Also, if one is not sure of what plants to buy, then give a bouquet of flowers and let Mom choose the plants she wants for the pots.
Picture-Perfect Idea for a Mother's Day Gift
Portrait of Children for Mother's Day. Make an individual or group photo.
You'll need:
- A nice outfit from the closet for everyone in the photo
- Digital camera
- A person to take pictures
- Glossy photo paper or white printer paper
- Method for printing photos, such as a computer printer
- Picture frame. (Single photo type, hinged frame for 2 pictures, or a collage frame)
Directions:
- Dress nicely. (Casual wear is fine. Try to coordinate colors for a group shot.)
- Have the photographer take several shots while the subject tries a variety of poses. Try different backgrounds, too.
- Proof pictures on a computer or camera screen. Decide which image (or images) is best. (Choose 2 images for a hinged frame, and multiple images for a collage frame.)
- Print chosen photos at home on glossy photo paper in the size needed to fit the frame. (White printer paper will do if there's no photo paper available.)
- Present the framed photo to Mom on Mother's Day.
With so many money problems hurting families, some teens are at a loss when it comes to assembling cool gifts for Mom that are unique. These low-budget ideas for gifts from tweens and teens are just a few that older kids can give Mom on Mother's Day. By using a little thought and kid-ingenuity, savvy teens can come up with many more ideas for priceless customized Mother's Day gifts.
For younger children in the family, see gift ideas for young children, and gifts from older kids ages 6-10.
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