A Cheap Mother's Day Gift Idea

So are you facing the dilemma - what do I get my mom for Mother's Day? Two years ago for Mother's Day I gave my mother a gift that cost little but took a lot of time, tears and heart. If you have time, you can do this - and it costs very little!

I sat down at my computer and just thought about all the things I was thankful for that my mother had done for me from childhood through now. I typed up a list of 52 things I was thankful for. Then I printed them, cut them into individual strips, folded them in half and placed them in a pretty container (I used a glass candy dish but you could make a pretty box or even use a pretty gift bag). Then I gave her the instructions to open one a week for the next year. Here are a few of the things I wrote (maybe it will stir up memories for you and help you as you try to write a few down for your mother):

"Thank you for helping me earn my badges with the Pioneer Girls. I still remember some of my verses!


Thank you for teaching me to share my faith. I still remember sharing my faith on the school bus with Kelsey and Jill in the 3rd grade. I was only able to do that because you taught me how to.


Thank you for all the trips back and forth to Chicago to get me settled in at college. I know letting your little girl go so far away was a sacrifice and I am so thankful for it.


Thank you for allllllll the laundry you never made me do hehe! Now I realize how much work you were doing! You always had everything in the drawer that I needed!


Thank you for opening your home to the youth group and college group. You taught me the importance of using my home to serve the Lord.


Thank you for calling me every Sunday while I was a newlywed in Columbus. Those were some lonely days and staying connected to you really helped me through.


Thank you for taking the time after elementary school each day to give us a snack and talk to us about our day. I always felt like you were so interested – I’m sure that most of my stories were boring – so thank you for being such a good listener.


Thank you for only allowing me to date Christian boys – you kept me on the straight and narrow when I could have been tempted and destroyed my own life.


Thank you for making me practice the piano. Though I HATED it at the time – I am so thankful for the skill.


Thank you for helping me with all my homework. I remember some long nights trying to get through different assignments in highschool and you hung in there with me (along with dad) and made sure that I always finished my work to the best of my ability. What a great lifelong lesson you taught me.


Thank you for all the time you spent helping grandma take care of grandpa. You are a wonderful daughter. Even though Grandpa wasn’t the easiest person to take care of – you were faithful – always making sure every need was met. You always honored your father and mother. Thank you.


Thank you for the fun family memories at Kim Tam swimming. I remember sitting out in the garage in the morning while dad blew up the floaties and you packed lunch in the house. The anticipation was great!

Thank you for the fun summer birthday parties with Friendly’s ice cream cakes – yummy! I remember getting my cabbage patch doll – one of my favorite gifts of all time. Thanks!


Thank you for fun memories of game night with really buttery popcorn – and dinner on a tablecloth on the floor in the family room.


Thank you for taking so many pictures and movies of our childhood. Only now do I realize the value in having them.


Thank you for your many many prayers over the years. There has been great power in your prayers and I know that you have directed much of the course of my life through your faithful prayers."

I love you mom!!

Take the time to praise your mother this Mother's Day. Do you have a mother's day gift idea? Share it in the comments section!!! Proverbs 31:28 says "Her children arise and call her blessed"...v.31 "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/