Fun Mother's Day Quarantine Gifts
To mask or not to mask. That is the Mother's Day question. How do you pick the best Mother's Day gift with restrictions lifting?
From video chats to surprise spa days, there are a lot of cool ways to make her day - even from home or on a budget. Remember, we don't fear coronavirus, we rebuke it. Hence, there are all kinds of activities you can plan at home. And, if you do venture out, pray first and then call ahead. Some areas are lifting indoor restrictions while some events (like concert venues) may still require vaccination proof. So, let's celebrate moms, grandmas, aunties, cousins, sisters, and those that are just like a mom.
Here's a list of the best Mother's Day gifts and ideas you can do at home, for free, by video/chat or out. Enjoy!
Stage a Fun Family Photo Shoot.
Is your family tired of being cooped up inside? How about a fun family photoshoot? What makes this an enjoyable treat is that everyone gets dressed up - or down and they can take pictures together - or separately.
Here are a few ideas:
- Take photos indoors and outside.
- Don't be afraid to take pics with your masks on. When we look back on this moment, it will serve as a reminder of how God and Jesus covered and delivered us! And it will be cool to tell your kids and grandkids stories about the quarantine way back when.
- Want to mix it up? Dress down and have a casual look. Then, dress up for a formal elegant look.
- Take turns deciding on the layout (light out, wait until dark, backyard, family room).
- Take a few fun pics in SnapChat with funny faces and share them by chat or text with friends and family.
- Remember to save a few pics for your picture frames. If you have outdated frames, repaint them in decorative colors!
- For more awesomeness, make a video. Use your laptop camera and upload your video to YouTube, Facebook or Instagram for all your family and friends to see. Best. Mother's. Day. Ever!
Let Kids Share Their Creative Skills.
Have younger kids or toddlers? Let them color on paper or your computer in Photoshop or CorelDraw.
A different option is to let them cut up construction paper and create a beautiful picture or collage. Then, scan the image on your home printer to upload it. You can put their physical creations in a picture frame and online to show off your future Picasso....
To display their artwork so everyone can see it:
- Upload it to a site like Shutterfly to make a cool holiday card, book or mug
- Create a fun t-shirt or print on a site like Cafe Press
- Turn their artwork into a picture by buying a frame for it and give it as a present
Need a last minute Mother's Day gift? Image shown is a few Mother's Day Mugs to make it "Mom"orable!
Have a Cookie or Cupcake Challenge.
Have the best cooking skills? Start a cupcake or cookie decorating challenge:
- Find a few cupcake or cookie decoration ideas online (try flowers, butterflies, dragons, emojis).
- Order the decorations you'll need (icing, sprinkles, cake decorating tips, chocolate chips).
- Make a batch of cupcakes or cookies and see who can come closest to getting the decorations right. Or, see who can come up with the best creations.
- Call your friends and invite them to join the challenge online. Set up a free video conference through Zoom or download Skype to start a video conference. Another option is a Google Meet video call. Loser(s) clean up their own kitchen (wait, what?)!
Other ideas for a food challenge include:
- Have a baby-back-rib or barbecue chicken challenge.
- If you're vegetarian or vegan, try the best vegan chili bowl challenge. Or, have a challenge for the best vegetarian dish that tastes like chicken.
- Have a diabetic in the family? To ensure they can participate in your challenge, let them make a fruit tartlet, sugar-free mini pie, or other sugar-free dessert they can enjoy.
- Want to keep your challenge healthy? Try a smoothie mix-off or make your own fruit gelato.
- Don't have a sweet tooth? Make the cookies or cupcakes and donate them to a homeless shelter (see the tip below).
Not up for a challenge but still want something sweet for Mother's Day? Surprise her with cookies baking in the oven. Buy Pillsbury cookie dough and follow the instructions (but don't eat the raw dough to avoid harmful bacteria).
Another option is cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls or frozen waffles. With the crescent rolls, roll them flat and then sprinkle in shredded cheese and onions. Then roll and bake them.
To get the kids involved, create a decorate-your-own waffle station. Use ingredients like syrup, chocolate, nuts, honey, fresh fruit and granola. If it's later in the day and you still want to bake something, pop in a frozen pizza or buy a Boboli pizza crust or frozen pizza dough and set up a make-your-own pizza station. Use fresh veggies, extra cheese, and other toppings!
The fun is in the time spent with family! Now, that's amore!
We don't fear coronavirus. God doesn't give us the spirit of fear.
NO weapons formed against us shall prosper. Image shown is a 2 Timothy 1:7 Seed Card
Have an Indoor or Outdoor Scavenger Hunt.
Another great way to help enjoy her day is to get the kids involved in a scavenger hunt. Hide her gift(s) in the house and create a map to give her tips. Maybe there's a spa certificate hiding in the cupboard and it's for a free foot massage whenever she wants it. Perhaps there's a note hidden in the medicine cabinet for a free bubble bath.
Note: If you want to surprise her with a big gift like a vacation or other activity, put the letters on a sheet of paper and then cut the letters out. Hide the letters all over the house and help her find them. Is she getting hot? Cold? Getting warmer?
PS: Don't forget where you hid everything (letters, gifts)!
Schedule a Spaaa Day.
Want a cool way to relax together on Mother's Day? Here are a few ideas:
- Schedule a spa day at your favorite spa or create one at home.
- For the FREE version, give each other facials or try a mud mask. Fill a few buckets with hot (not scalding) sudsy water and get the towels out.
- Lay out a few magazines or put on a movie or music. Share a cup of tea and snacks. Take turns giving pedicures and manicures. Be sure to tip your attendant!
And speaking of masks... what kind of mask will you create during your spa day? Here are some easy recipes:
Want to encourage others? Read Psalm 91. We're covered in the name and blood of Jesus and coronavirus is defeated!
Donate to Charity or Other Cause.
An awesome way to spend time with family is to share your gifts with others:
- Make a few batches of cookies (and maybe sugar-free, nut-free and/or gluten-free versions) and bag them individually for homeless shelters, seniors in your area or first responders.
- Write a tiny note that's an inspiring message like, "Keep going", "We're praying for you" or "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
- As you make the recipes, connect with others online. You can share stories and help those in need.
It's a great way to help others and share your gifts. Keep reminding those you talk to that "It WILL get better". God is on the Throne!
Stay encouraged. Our help comes from the Lord. Image is a sample Church Event Card
Bake Something Yummy and Pop in a Video.
This idea inspires fun, fun, fun:
- Start out by making a great dish together which is a great time to cook with family and share a few recipe tips.
- After dinner, get out a sheet of paper and each person writes down separately a favorite song, a favorite singer, and a favorite dance.
- Tear the slips of paper, fold them, and put them in a hat. Each person picks one and has to try to do that dance, dance along to that music, or sing that song.
- You can find the music in YouTube for American Bandstand, Soul Train, or the best salsa, meringue, hip hop, the bugaboo, the Jerk, the Charleston, the Running Man, the Waltz, the Cha, Cha, Cha, the Jive, and more (depending on your generation). Way to burn those calories!
- If you don't feel like dancing, rent a couple of movies and sit back and relax with the snacks!
Ultimately, however you spend your quarantine Mother's Day, make it fun and memorable. Praise God for the time we have with family and friends, to laugh, enjoy each other, and share our gifts! Keep reading your Bible each day and keep doing things that add value. We rebuke coronavirus and thank God for Jesus's name, blood and covering over us! To God be the glory!
