Every year on the second Sunday in May, we honor the beauty and hard work that is motherhood and express love and appreciation for all that our mothers, or any leading women in our lives, do.

Whether you are putting together the ultimate breakfast bed, creating a homemade card or simply setting time aside for a long phone call, every act of appreciation counts. In case you’re having trouble planning a meaningful day that won’t break the bank, take a look below for a few craft and activity ideas!

Hand-Shaped Flower Bouquet:
This craft is simple, and you probably have most of the supplies at home!

What You’ll Need:

·       Multicolored paper

·       Scissors

·       Tape

·       Ribbon

·       Green marker

·       Sticks (popsicle sticks, or sticks from outside)

Instructions:

1.     Trace your hand three to four times on a piece of multicolored paper and cut out each hand separately.

2.     Color your sticks green and tape each flower to the top of one stick.

3.     Cut out a few leaves from your green paper and tape them to the stems (sticks) of your flowers.

4.     Tie a ribbon around the bouquet, and gift it to the amazing woman in your life!

Scrapbook:
Gather your favorite photos to create a meaningful book of memories.

What you’ll need:

·       Printed photos (you can print photos at your local CVS).

·       An empty photobook, notebook or a couple sheets paper stapled together.

·       Glue (if you are using paper or a notebook without slots to hold your photos).

·       Colored pens or markers.

·       Multicolored construction paper

Instructions:

1.     With the supplies you already have at home; you can really let your creativity take over this project! Disperse photos throughout the scrapbook.

2.     To decorate your scrapbook, cut out a few hearts, stars, or any shapes you would like from your construction paper and glue onto each page.

3.     Near each photo, consider writing a meaningful message, or describe the memory you have that is captured in that photo.

4.     Deliver your heartfelt gift!

Budget – Friendly Mother’s Day Activities

Elizabeth Park Conservatory (Hartford, CT): Take a stroll through the beautiful gardens or play a free game of tennis at Elizabeth Park. This is a perfect place for a scenic Mother’s Day picnic.

Connecticut Trolley Museum (East Windsor, CT):  Free admission to the Connecticut Trolley Museum is offered for all mothers or grandmothers on Mother’s Day! Take a trolley ride and enjoy a free craft workshop.

Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center (Bristol, CT): Design your own flowerpot in celebration of Mother’s Day from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.