Your guide to making Mom feel special

Transcription

1 Your guide to making Mom feel special

2 Don t forget to remind Mom how much she matters. This guide has everything you need to make her feel valued from easy gift ideas to fun activities the whole family can enjoy together. So grab the kids and your creativity, and show Mom just how special she is. Gifts Coupon Booklet from the Kids Colorable Picture Frames Interview Book Gifts are a thoughtful way to make Mom feel valued. Best of all, they don t have to cost a lot of money especially with these easy, kid-friendly ideas. Pampering Movie Night Breakfast in Bed Spa Kit Mom works hard. Help her relax and feel beautiful with these low-cost, spa-day activities you can try right at home. Encouragement Free Encouraging Broadcast Encouraging Articles Favorite Memories of Mom I Love Mom Because Craft Every mom needs to be reminded how much she s appreciated. Encourage her with articles from the experts and unique I love you ideas. Marriage Date Night Ideas Coupon Booklet from Dad When I first met you Card Things You Love About Her Dad, you know that life can get busy. But sometimes that s when Mom needs your support the most. Try these practical ways to remind your wife how much you love her Focus on the Family Focus on the Family grants permission to make copies of the activity materials for your personal use.

3 Coupon Booklet from the Kids Create a booklet of special coupons to show Mom how much you love her and help her out a little, too. She ll appreciate this gift and remember it forever, and she ll love when you help her out with the dishes or take out the garbage. You can use our coupon designs or make your own. Time: 10 minutes Ribbon Print out this sheet of coupons. (Make sure to fill in the blank coupons with creative ideas of your own!) Use scissors to cut along the dotted lines. To make a booklet, cut out two pieces of cardstock that are the same size as the coupons for the front and back. Then, punch holes in the top left corner of each card and tie it together with a piece of ribbon. Pen Cardstock Stickers, markers or anything else you would like to decorate with help folding the laundry setting the table cleaning my bedroom without complaining taking out the trash a day helping in the garden a picnic at the park (fill in the blank) (fill in the blank) Gifts 3

4 Colorable Picture Frames Surprise Mom with a homemade picture frame that she is sure to cherish. You can even add your own photo! Pick, print out and color one or both of the frames. Glue it to a piece of cardstock to make it stronger. Cut it out. Then, fill it with a favorite 4" x 6" photo and secure it with tape. Create as many frames as you d like. Time: 10 minutes Crayons Photo Tape Cardstock Stickers, markers or anything else you would like to decorate with Gifts 4

5 Colorable Picture Frames Surprise Mom with a homemade picture frame that she is sure to cherish. You can even add your own photo! Pick, print out and color one or both of the frames. Glue it to a piece of cardstock to make it stronger. Cut it out. Then, fill it with a favorite 4" x 6" photo and secure it with tape. Create as many frames as you d like. Time: 10 minutes Crayons Photo Tape Cardstock Stickers, markers or anything else you would like to decorate with Gifts 5

6 Interview Book Create a fun book of memories about Mom. She ll love reading how special she is to her friends and family. Print as many interview cards as you d like. Cut along the dotted lines. Hand out the cards to kids, relatives, friends and neighbors and ask them to share a special memory about Mom. (Don t forget to ask questions over the phone or for those who live far away and fill out the cards for them.) Cut out two pieces of cardstock that are the same size as the cards to make a front and back cover. Punch holes in the top left corner of each piece and tie together with a ribbon to make a booklet. Time: 10 minutes Ribbon Pen Cardstock Stickers, markers or anything else you would like to decorate with Interview With: Interview With: What is your first memory of my Mom?: Tell me a story of my Mom: How old were you when you met my Mom? How did you meet?: Interview With: Interview With: What is Mom s best feature?: What is your favorite thing to do with Mom? Gifts 6

7 Movie Night Treat Mom to a movie night at home. Rent Mom s favorite movie. Go shopping for her favorite snack. Set up the living room like a movie theater. Then, print out the movie tickets and use them to invite Mom on a movie date. Mom s favorite movie Favorite snacks Refreshing drinks Cuddly blanket Fun tip: For free movie rentals, visit your local library. Here are three movie reviews to get you started: Spy Kids; Emperor s New Groove; Pride & Prejudice. For more movie recommendations, reviews and discussion guides, visit PluggedInOnline.com. Scan for movie ideas ADMIT ONE MOVIE NIGHT TICKET VALID FOR ONE MOVIE & SNACKS SHOW TIME: LOCATION: YOUR FAVORITE SEAT IN THE HOUSE ADMIT ONE MOVIE NIGHT TICKET VALID FOR ONE MOVIE & SNACKS SHOW TIME: LOCATION: YOUR FAVORITE SEAT IN THE HOUSE PAMPERING 7

8 Breakfast in Bed Treat Mom to a special morning surprise with breakfast in bed! She ll love this jump-start to her day. Need some ideas? Try the easy egg quiche recipe below. For more breakfast tips for mom, visit ClubhouseMagazine.com/Easter. Fun tip: Print out these recipe cards below to save this delicious breakfast idea to cook again and to write down your own recipes to surprise her throughout the year. Mom s favorite breakfast A cheery morning smile Alarm clock (to wake up before Mom) Recipe: Eggs-tra Special Quiche From the Kitchen of: Lydia E. Harris; Clubhouse Magazine Ingredients: Directions: unbaked 9-inch piecrust 1. Place piecrust in the bottom of a pie pan. pie pan 2. Cook bacon until crisp. Cool on paper towels. 4 slices bacon 3. Cut ham into 1-inch pieces and arrange in pie shell. 4 slices cooked ham 4. Cut Swiss cheese into strips and place on ham. 4 slices Swiss cheese 5. Add cooled, crumbled bacon. 2 eggs 6. Beat eggs with milk, then drizzle over the ham, cheese and bacon. 1/2 cup milk 7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 425 F until egg mixture isn t runny. cherry tomatoes and parsley 8. Cool for 10 minutes or until egg mixture is firm. 9. Cut into pie-shaped wedges. 10. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and parsley. Serve with love! Recipe: From the Kitchen of: Ingredients: Directions: PAMPERING 8

9 Spa Kit What Mom doesn t like to be pampered? Treat her to a special spa day that fits any budget with these creative at-home ideas. Pick an activity below to help Mom relax and enjoy a little peace and quiet. Time: 10 minutes 8 hours. The Spa Kit is intended to be completely flexible based on your budget and time available. Manicure at Home Sit back and let your kids paint your toenails Retreat at Home The ultimate at home retreat gift basket Trip to the Spa! A relaxing trip out of the house o Mom s favorite nail polish or a new color o Extra hands to paint nails o Basket o Bubble Bath o Sponge o Bath Salts o Candles o Music o Mom s Favorite Tea o Movie for Dad and kids to watch to guarantee Mom at least one hour of no interruptions o Gift card to a local spa o Special snack for Dad to entertain the kids while Mom is out PAMPERING 9

10 Free Encouraging Broadcast Author Lysa TerKeurst offers great advice for moms who struggle with a sense of failure, encouraging them to relax, relinquish their guilt and rely on God for guidance. Stream the broadcast for free using the link below. Computer Internet connection Mom s favorite drink Scan to listen Mommy Stress: F inding Peace in Your Parenting Journey After Lysa TerKeurst had a brand new granite countertop installed in her kitchen, she became upset when she noticed a visual imperfection in the granite. Ninety-nine point nine percent of the whole countertop was beautiful and perfect, TerKeurst says, so why was I only focused on that? TerKeurst realized she viewed herself as a mother the same way she often overlooked the many things she did well and focused instead on the things she thought she d done wrong. If you struggle with guilt, stress and worry, don t miss this broadcast as TerKeurst a speaker, author and the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries offers advice and encouragement in a discussion based on her book, Am I Messing Up My Kids? And Other Questions Every Mom Asks. Click here to listen! For more advice and encouragement from Lysa TerKeurst, check out these articles: A Mom s Greatest Fear and Praying Boldly for Our Kids BIO: Lysa TerKeurst is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the co-host of her ministry s national daily radio program. She is also a public speaker and the author of more than a dozen books including Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith and Am I Messing Up My Kids? She and her husband, Art, have five children and reside in North Carolina. ENCOURAGEMENT 10

11 Encouraging Articles These helpful articles are full of advice from the experts! Whether you want to remind Mom how special she is or help make her days easier, these articles will be a huge encouragement. For more articles and stories, visit FocusOnTheFamily.com. Computer Internet connection Mom s favorite drink Click the links below to read a few of our articles written just for Mom. Build Relationship With Your Child by Clem Boyd There s nothing more important than getting to know your child... and it s never too late to get started. Click here to read the full article! Mopping Up Mother s Day by Margot Starbuck This article is a light piece that encourages moms to lower the bar and be grateful for whatever effort their husbands and kid(s) put into celebrating Mother s Day. Click here to read the full article! Mother s Day and Stepmoms by Laura Petherbridge Being a stepmom comes with unique joys and challenges. Here s a Mother s Day article for moms of blended families. Click here to read the full article! ENCOURAGEMENT 11

12 Favorite Memories of Mom Have you ever told Mom about your favorite memories? Now s your chance! Create little memory cards that Mom will cherish for years to come. Print as many copies of this page as you d like (preferably on cardstock) and cut with scissors along the dotted lines. Fill a few out yourself and pass them out to family. Ask each person to write down a favorite memory about your mom. Then, go around the dinner table and take turns reading your cards. After dinner, help mom hole punch each card in the top left corner and loop the pages together with ribbon to make a booklet. Time: 10 minutes Ribbon Pen Cardstock My favorite memory of mom is: My favorite memory of mom is: My favorite memory of mom is: My favorite memory of mom is: ENCOURAGEMENT 12

13 I Love Mom Because Craft Brighten Mom s day with this colorful, creative gift. It lasts much longer than real flowers and will keep a smile on her face long after the gift has been given. Pick out a vase or flower pot and fill it with coffee beans. Then, think of all the reasons you love Mom. Each time you have an idea, write it down on a popsicle stick. Then, print, cut out and color the flowers below. Tape one colored flower to the top of each popsicle stick stem. You can make as many flowers as you d like! When you re done, plant the flowers in the flower pot and give to mom. Time: 20 minutes Popsicle sticks Pen, markers or crayons Vase or flower pot Coffee beans ENCOURAGEMENT 13

14 Date Night Ideas Dad, you know that dating your wife is good for your marriage. But in the midst of family and other commitments, have you put dating on the back burner? It s time to save the date! Babysitter Time to spend with your wife The good news is that you don t have to make elaborate plans or spend a lot of money to have a great time together. Take your cue with a few creative ideas from couples like you. With these low-cost (or no-cost), easy-to-plan dates, you can make memories together without blowing your family budget. For more date night ideas click here! Scan for date night ideas A Romantic Evening at Home After arranging to send the kids to Grandma s house for the night, I pick up groceries and flowers from the store. While my wife takes a bubble bath, I cook dinner for her and serve it by candle light. Afterward, we enjoy dancing in our living room or watching a romantic comedy while munching popcorn. Eventually we fall asleep in each other s arms while watching the flicker of the fireplace. It s not elaborate, but it s what she likes, and it hardly costs a thing. Travis, Florida Gift Cards and Coupons My husband and I combine gift cards and various coupons in our wallets to create our own frugal date night. Using what we ve accumulated, we map out all the places we can go to spend our gift cards and coupons. Between stops, we enjoy lots of conversation. This is a great way to have a fun date and clean out our wallets while keeping the cash! Dionne, Texas Romance on a Rooftop One of my favorite dates is when my husband and I climb up onto our roof with some blankets, a radio and a sweet snack. There, under the stars and moonlight, we can talk, snuggle and listen to the radio. It is romantic, free and something we can do anytime, weather permitting. April, Florida MARRIAGE 14

15 Coupon Booklet from Dad Put together a small booklet of coupons for the mother of your kids to show her how much you love and appreciate her. She ll treasure this gift and love when you help with her to-do list or pamper her for the afternoon. Use our coupon designs or make your own by simply filling in the blank. Time: 10 minutes Ribbon Print out this sheet of coupons. (Make sure to fill in the blank coupons with creative ideas of your own!) Use scissors to cut along the dotted lines. To make a booklet, cut out two pieces of cardstock that are the same size as the coupons for the front and back. Then, punch holes in the top left corner of each card and tie it together with a piece of ribbon. Pen Cardstock Stickers, markers or anything else you would like to decorate with doing the dishes for one week vacuuming the house cleaning the bathrooms breakfast in bed a back massage a bubble bath without interruptions (fill in the blank) (fill in the blank) MARRIAGE 15

16 When I first met you Card Give your wife a card to remind her of the time when you first met. Telling her that you haven t forgotten some of those special details will remind her how much you love her then and now. Print this card and fold it in half. Take as much room as you want to handwrite memories of when you first met your wife... where you were, what she was wearing, your first impressions, etc. Time: 10 minutes Pen met you When I first MARRIAGE 16

17 10 Things You Love About Her Tell your wife how much you love and appreciate her by hand-writing a special list and framing it for her. Each time she sees it, she ll be reminded of how much you cherish her. Print out this page and hand-write the top ten things you love about your wife on the list provided. Next, cut it out and place it in a 5" x 7" frame as a special gift. Time: 10 minutes Pen 5" x 7" Frame 10 ten things I love about you: MARRIAGE 17