Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and though I think everyone should give their mom a pamper party, I know some of you are on a tight budget!

Today I’m going to give you a few homemade gift ideas for Mother’s Day that will cost less than $10.00

These are also fun and simple enough for young children to make with a little bit of help…ahem…Dads…pay attention!

The decorative Jars I mention in the spa product recipes can be found at any craft store for under $2.00. Pat Catan’s has a great selection and low prices!

1. Rainbow Bath Salts:

Ingredients:

Epsom Salts

Unsweetened Koolaid packets (at least 3 or 4 different flavors)

Water

Instructions:

Add a few drops of water to 1 packet of Koolaid Powder, just until moistened.

Add moistened Koolaid to ½-1 cup Epsom salts (depending on number of colors and size of jar) in a ziplock bag and shake until salts are covered.

Repeat with each color of Koolaid

Layer colored salts in a decorative jar and add ribbon, wooden spoon or scoop, and a handmade card explaining how to use the salts

How to Use:

Add 2 or 3 scoops to a warm bath and allow to dissolve.

2. Bath Ball Cookies:

Ingredients: (makes about 12 cookies)

2 cups Sea Salt ½ baking soda

½ cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (can be substituted for 5-6 drops of essential oil of your choice)

Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl

Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet

Cookies can be decorated with cloves, seeds, dried citrus peel, jimmies or anything else you have around.

Bake Cookies for 10 minutes (do not over bake!)

Allow cookies to cool completely

Wrap in fabric scraps, decorative cellophane or box. Add a handmade card explaining how to use the cookies.

* have children paint and decorate a plain box using ribbon, false flowers, stickers, pom poms, glitter sequins, or any other art supplies you may have.

How to use:

Add 1 or 2 cookies to a warm bath and allow to dissolve.

3. Hand and Foot Scrub

Ingredients:

1 cup brown Sugar

1 cup finely ground oats

2 Tablespoons Honey (2 squirts works, as honey is way to sticky to measure)

¾ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for scent)

Instructions:

Mix sugar and oats together

Add oil slowly, just until dry ingredients are saturated.

Add Honey and Vanilla Extract

Mix well

Pour scrub into a decorative jar. Add ribbon and a handmade card with instructions for use

How to use:

Apply scrub to skin and rub vigorously for 10 – 20 seconds

Rinse with warm water

• get creative with scrubs. Use white sugar, brown sugar, or kosher salts combined with one or more of the following: ground nuts, ground walnut shells, oats, Coffee grounds, corncob, or any other abrasive material. Add oil, a few quirts of honey, and extracts or essential oils for scent.
• White Sugar, Coffee Grounds, and vanilla extract makes a great cappuccino or vanilla latte scrub for coffee lovers! Put this in a Thermos for 2 gifts in 1!

4. Picture Frame

Purchase an inexpensive 8X10 (or larger) plain picture frame at a dollar store or Walmart

Paint the frame to match the room in your mother’s house it will go. (Black and white is always a safe choice if you're unsure)

Make a collage of family photos using older and new pictures (some from your childhood and some from today)

Add quotes about mothers or Memories It’s also a nice touch to write (or have a friend with good handwriting write) a quote or bible verse around the frame itself.

5. Photo Album/Scrap Book

Purchase a photo album at a dollar store or use one you have laying around.

Fill it with pictures starting when you were a baby, through important moments in your life until now, and write “thank you” messages to go with each picture.

For example: a picture of you in a dance costume as a child with a message that says “thank you for always allowing me to shine”

Depending on your creativity level, and available supplies, you can add stickers, paper frames, ribbons, or other decorative items

Send your beauty questions to pamperpa[email protected] and I’ll answer them in my next blog.

Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow for another dose of the beauty blog!

Thanks,

Bethany