Creative Ideas for Mother's Day

Mother's Day: Mother, Mom, Mater, Mamam, Mutter, Muter, Moeder all spell that special person in your life who is being honored on the second Sunday in May. With a little planning you can give mom a special photo memory book to celebrate her on this special day. Whether you are 6 or 36 your mother will love getting something that you did yourself.

Besides these ideas, we'll give you samples of poems and quotes to use in your photo book for mom. Also, not to be forgotten are grandmothers on this special day of honoring mothers. So here are a few poems and quotes about grandmothers to use now or save for September 13, Grandparents Day.

We went through a number of publishers for great Mothers Day gifts. By far, the one that stood out the most was Picaboo. While some of the other publishers have some themes and backgrounds, Picaboo wins hands down for having the best ideas for Mother’s Day Books. The following is a list and a brief synopsis of each of the different books you can make for your mother or grandmother this mother’s day. Also, keep in mind that coupons for these books can usually be found on our Coupon Page. Also note that if you’re not comfortable scanning your photos, you can take them to your local photo finishing center and ask them to create a digital copy of your photos.

Picaboo Themes and Background Ideas

Mom’s Brag Book
There’s nothing like a smile on the face of a mother or grandmother as she shows off pictures of her children or grandchildren. A Brag Book is a perfect gift for this. Small enough to carry in a purse, your mom or grandmother will love showing these pictures to family and friends.

Gather all your photos together and don’t be shy about asking other family members to contribute. Once you have them together in a folder on your computer (don’t forget you can also used scanned photos), create a new book in Picaboo and arrange your photos either in chronological order or by child. Either way, mom or grandmother is going to love this book!

“Without Mom who would …” Book
Show mom that you really appreciate her with this book, a fun tribute to a busy mom and all she does for her family. From doing the laundry, to getting meals, making lunches, soccer practice, and everything else a mom does during the course of the day.

Start by making a list of everything your mom does that you’re thankful for. Using this list, take some candid pictures with your camera while mom is doing some of these tasks.

Put all your photos in a folder on your computer and then transfer to a new book in Picaboo. Use text boxes, starting with “Without Mom who would …?” on your pages with your pictures.

My Favorite Memories Book
With this book, remind your mother of all the special moments you have shared, and the many ways she has made a difference over the years.

Look through old pictures and write down any special memories about traditions, events, vacations, etc. that you and your mother have shared. Scan the older photos and save them as high resolution (300 dpi).jpg images. Add them to a new book in Picaboo. Afterwards, add your text and you’ll have a wonderful collection of memories as you reminisce together.

World’s Greatest Mom Book
Present your mom with a book that highlights 20 reasons why she’s the best mom in the world. You’ll have to brainstorm to come up with the TOP 20 reasons, and it may help to look through some family photos. They will remind you of all the fun activities you have experienced in the past.

Create the book in Picaboo and dedicate one page to each of the 20 reasons on your list. Add photos that illustrate each of the reasons or simply include favorite family photos.

A Flower for You Book
This book of flowers and letters is a fun way to create a book filled with special messages and pictures of each child in the family holding a beautiful flower. If the children are elementary school age, they can create their own special mother’s day message and choose the flower they want to “give” to mom.

In addition to special messages and flower pictures, you can include drawings and artwork created just for mom. Digital pictures can be taken of the pieces of art, or scan them and save them as high resolution (300 dpi).jpg images.

Children’s Funny Sayings Book
You can give your mother or grandmother a festive photo book filled with funny sayings or escapades. Everyone will have a wonderful time laughing and reminiscing about all the silly things that happened over the years.

Think back to all the silly things you and your siblings did as children. Then locate some photos of each child at several different ages. Scan as needed and create a new book in Picaboo. Add your stories and sayings to the pages and you’ll have a book of all those wonderful memories!

A Mother’s Influence Book
Celebrate your mother’s positive influence and tell her thanks for all her dedication and support throughout the years. Highlight the many ways she has had a positive influence on your life.

Make a list of all the ways your mom has influenced you for the better. Gather pictures that illustrate the items on your list. Scan your photos and save them as high resolution (300 dpi).jpg images.

Put text to the pages with the pictures, saying how your mom influenced your life for the better.

Mom’s Favorite Recipes Book
Celebrate your mom’s accomplishments in the kitchen (if she loves to cook) with a custom cookbook filled with her (and your) favorite recipes.

Type out each recipe in a word document and arrange them in categories (appetizers, side dishes, main dishes, desserts, etc.). This will allow you to both organize and spell check before adding to your Picaboo book.

Photos of the various dishes would be nice, but if not possible, take a picture of the main ingredient. Or use family photos to illustrate your cookbook.

Once you’ve gathered your recipes and pictures, create a new book in Picaboo and select the “Cookbook Theme”. Copy and paste your recipes and personalize with pictures.

Mommy and Me Book
Celebrate Mother’s Day by filling a book with pictures of you and your mother or grandmother at different stages of your life.

Simply gather all your favorite pictures of you and your mother by scanning them and saving them as high resolution (300dpi).jpg images. Arrange them in chronological order as a new book in Picaboo. Complete your book with backgrounds in your mom’s favorite color and customize with stores of your times together.

Mother’s Biography Book
Create a personalized biography that honors your mother’s many achievements.

Gather photos, keepsakes and stories from your mother’s life. Other family members will be helpful to talk to, including close family friends.

Create a digital copy of the items you wish to include by scanning and saving them as high resolution (300 dpi).jpg images. Add them to Picaboo and customize with stories on your pages.

Shutterfly

ABC Book
Make an "ABC Book" for your Mother. First, list every letter of the alphabet and write a word that applies to you and your mother. You can be sentimental or funny but this list is just the beginning. When you have completed a word for each letter go ahead and write any other thoughts that apply to this letter. Next step is finding pictures that apply to the words and phrases that you have written.

Once you have gone through these steps you can turn these into a photo book at your choice of sites. If you want to make a great looking book that already has the alphabet in place and has been set up to be an ABC book visit Shutterfly and make the "ABC's of You" book.

12x12 Celebrate Her Memory Book
Shutterfly 12x12 Memory Book

This elegant book, also by Shutterfly, is designed especially for Mom. Sentiment headlines are provided to get you started. Multiple color options are available along with hundreds of easy-to-use backgrounds and layouts.

OurHubbub

Our Hubbub has a beautiful spring time cover available with spring themes and background pages. This would also make a beautiful cover for a Mother's Day Book.

PhotoWorks

These two books by PhotoWorks are lovely and would be perfect for Mom and/or Grandma!

Smilebox

Make Mom's Day extra special this year with one-of-a-kind Mother's Day Cards from Smilebox. Choose from a large selection of Mother's Day greetings for Moms and Grandmoms. Insert your Mother's Day pictures and videos, add your words and music and send via e-mail or blog. It's easy, creative and free! Besides cards, Smilebox also has Mother's Day scrapbooks. Smilebox is a great way to send someone a card or scrapbook via e-mail or blog!

Note: The music is great on Smilebox, but tends to be a little loud. Make sure the volume on your computer is low when you click on their site.