Gifts with Heart
Letting Mom and Dad Know How Much You Care

The best gifts come from the heart—remember that when you’re buying your Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts this year. Most people, when buying gifts for their parents, usually think of two options: Get them the same old perfume or necktie you got them last year, or spend a huge amount of money on something they really need. But there really are ways to give your mother or father a considerate, heartfelt gift that won’t cost you much. Check out these gift ideas for an extra special Mother or Father’s Day without putting a dent in your wallet.

For Dad

He Taught Me in His Language

Lots of dads are famous (or infamous?) for their funny quips and one-liners. If Dad never let you leave the house without first saying something like “Don’t take any wooden nickels!” or if waking up on Sunday morning was always done with a rousing (literally) rendition of “Oh it is Wonderful,” then compile a list of Dad’s famous phrases: the funny ones, spiritual ones, and inside jokes. Get your brothers and sisters to contribute, then, organize the list into a fun presentation on a poster or framed document. You might even title it with Enos 1:1: “…knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language…”

Monthly Memories

You’ve probably seen calendars hanging in homes with pictures of family members represented on each month’s page. Incorporate this heartfelt idea into a gift for Dad at the office! You could make it a hanging calendar, or scale down the size for a desktop flip-style. Add funny or spiritual thoughts or scriptures about fatherhood on each month. Several computer programs are available to help you create photo calendars, or, go to a printing shop with the photos you’d like to use and have them design it for you. You could also just make it by hand with construction paper and glue for a fun craft project!

Candy Gram

If your dad is like most dads, he probably has a bit of a sweet tooth. A Father’s Day candy gram is fun and easy for kids to create and also shows off their creativity. Here’s an example:

I know I haven’t been an ALMOND JOY to you all my life. I have been down some ROCKY ROADs, but you have always been there to help me pick up the REESE'S PIECES and pave a better MILKY WAY for me. You are such a BIG HUNK and truly a SPECIAL TREASURE in my life. Thanks for always having plenty of HUGS and KISSES to give away. You are the RIESEN they made Father’s Day. I love you GOOD & PLENTY. Happy Father’s Day!

A Good Laugh

Is there a comedian or a TV show that always makes your Dad laugh? Put together a tape of several episodes and give it to him with a note telling him to watch this video if he ever needs a good laugh. Or, piece together funny clips from family home videos. Giving him something to bring on a good laugh when he needs it will probably be much more appreciated than another necktie or bottle of cologne.

A Tribute to Dad

Lots of dads seem to have a knack for making up random, funny songs about whatever they might be thinking or doing at any given moment—it could be anything from the car’s squeaky breaks, to the funny smell coming from his son’s bedroom. If your Dad is one of these impromptu poets, write him a tribute poem or song in honor of his sometimes-hidden lyrical talents. Include any funny experience he has had or any of the little quirks that make him so unique. Recite or sing the song for him in honor of all the contributions he makes to your family.

For Mom

101 Reasons

Moms do so much for us. Their lives are centered on caring for the needs of their children and so the opportunity to express our appreciation on Mother’s Day is a great opportunity. Brainstorm a list (maybe together with your siblings) of 101 different reasons you love your mom so much. Make some of the reasons funny (she’s a great karaoke singer while driving in the car) and some of them more sincere (she gives the best hugs ever). After you’ve compiled your list of 101, try to find pictures from magazines representing some of your reasons. Compile your reasons into a book with the cutout illustrations, and present it to mom with a big kiss.

A Family Cookbook

Whether it’s a secret spaghetti sauce, authentic Mexican tamales, or the best apple pie in North America, most of us have memories of great favorite family dishes. Have Grandma send you her favorites; raid Mom’s recipe box to get her best-of’s; and call you aunts, cousins, siblings, and any family members who have a dish everyone hopes will be on the buffet table at your family get-togethers. Compile them into a recipe book for mom along with a dinner featuring some of those best dishes.

Hand-in-Hand

Moms use their hands to serve their children in hundreds of ways. From making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to wiping away tears, it seems that a mother’s hands are always busy. Even when a daughter becomes a mother herself , she never forgets her mother’s loving hands. Don’t let your children forget a very special mother this year—yours. Make a small quilt. On alternating squares put the handprints (or footprints for infants) of your children and your nieces and nephews. Present this special quilt of all the grandchildren to your mother to honor her role as the mother of your entire family.

You, Your, You’re

How long has your mom been a mom? If it’s been a while since child number one was born, mark her years of experience by letting her know why she’s been such a great mom. Have each child in your family (and Dad) come up with several short sentences beginning with the words “you,” “your,” or “you’re,” that tell something unique and lovable about your mom. For example: “Your chocolate cake is the best in the world.” “Your beautiful smile.” “You’re always fun to be with.” “You like my wife.” Put the name of the person contributing the comment next to his or her sentence. Depending on how many years your mom has been a mom, that’s how many sentences you’ll want to create. Organize your ideas into a document and have it framed as a keepsake to represent her mothering milestone that year.

Stitched with Love

Every mom could use a little extra inspiration, so give her something to inspire her everyday. Ask her what her favorite scripture or quote is and then embroider it and have it framed or sewn into a pillow. If you don’t know how to embroider, have someone who does help you. It’s easy to pick up, and it will mean the world to your mom.

A Motherhood Survival Kit

Working your way through motherhood may not be quite the same as surviving in the wild, but it certainly comes with its own set of perils. Make sure Mom is prepared by creating a survival kit for her. Place in it the following items with little notes describing their meanings:

• A bandage to fix hurt feelings
• Cotton swabs to clean out ears that have trouble listening
• A flower to remind her of all the dandelions you’ve given her
• A toothpick for picking out the good in tough situations
• Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses for when she’s feeling blue
• Lifesavers for all the times she’s saved yours
• A marble, just in case she loses hers
• Rubber bands to help her stretch beyond her limits
• Sweet and sour candy to help her find the sweet, even in sour times
• A clock to remind her to enjoy life’s moments now because time zooms by
• An eraser to remind her that all moms make mistakes
• A puzzle piece to remind her she’s a big piece in your puzzle
• A mirror to remind her to take time for herself
• A jewel to remind her how precious she is in your family

LDS Living Magazine