“Only our mother would give us a gift on a day we’re supposed to honor her!” That’s what my kids said when they read the Mother’s Day Gift Tag on their gift for Mother’s Day!
I’m sure you’re wondering why I do this. As much as I would like to take the credit, it really wasn’t my idea.
I learned this from a friend who was telling me how she made it a tradition to give her kids gifts on Mother’s Day. When I asked why, she said “because, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have the privilege to be called mom.”
Why I Give Gifts On Mother’s Day
I don’t know about you, but that really resonated with me in my spirit. As I thought about it for a few days, I realized that gesture to honor them on Mother’s Day would be a beautiful reflection of a mother’s love for her children.
Instead of focusing on how I can be honored that day, it was an opportunity for me to show my gratitude for the privilege I have as being their mother. That God chose me to raise them, and for that alone, I honor them.
Let’s face it ladies, one day of the year is not nearly enough to honor what we do 24 /7! So honoring them on Mother’s Day wasn’t going to steal my thunder.
However, little did I know the effect this decision I made would have on my kids.
The Effect On My Kids
I have to admit this took my kids by surprise. It’s tradition to spend the morning at church, then come home to have brunch and my husband and children would shower me with cards and gifts.
Well last year, when it was time for me to open their gifts, I interrupted their flow and said wait just a moment. Before we begin, I have a gift for the two of you.
The look on their face was priceless. After all the complaining…no mom we’re supposed to be giving you gifts, etc. I finally got them to be quiet so I could explain.
I communicated how blessed I was that God would select me to be THEIR mother and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be a mom. Then I handed them their gift.
For them, the essence of my actions stopped there. Although, for me God began to show me what was happening in the spirit. And if you’ve been following us for any length of time, you know we are always looking for teachable moments.
Mother’s Day The Teachable Moment
After seeing how my kids responded to me, I realized the impact was far greater than I realized.
You see, they told me that Mother’s Day was a day for me to receive gifts, not to give gifts. And that reaction confirmed to me, that they have recognized a selfless act of kindness.
By putting the emphasis on the gesture and not the gift itself, it showed my children that it wasn’t about what the gift was, but why I gave a gift that made all the difference.
A mother can only hope that when her children become husbands and fathers, or wives and mothers, they too will demonstrate such selflessness with their spouse and their children.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
If you’re thinking about honoring your children this year with a gift, I want to encourage you to keep it simple. Remember this is a gesture to honor them as your children; which is the sole reason you bear the title mom. You’re gift doesn’t need to be extravagant.
The first year I gave them gifts, I got them $5 Starbucks gift cards tied around a Mother’s Day Gift Tag that said: you give me the privilege to be mom! Trust me, they were thrilled to get it; mostly because it caught them off guard.
Mother’s Day Gift Tag is available in our COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Whether your kids are toddlers, teens or young adults here are a few gift ideas.
Gift Ideas for Toddlers
- Coloring Book with Crayons
- Bubbles
- Favorite Candy or Special Treat
- Pajamas or Slippers
- Mother And Son Prayer Journal – This journal is a fun and creative way to encourage young boys to journal their feelings, or prayers with your help!
- Bible Belles – Most young girls can name all the Disney princesses. However, very few know about the women of the Bible. Bible Belles is a great gift to help teach young girls about Esther Ruth, and Hannah just to name a few.
Gift Ideas for Teens & Young Adults
- A Board Game for the Family (Don’t Forget The Game Ledger!)
- Gift Cards (Movies, Gas, Starbucks, Amazon or Fast Food Give Cards)
- Picture Frame with Photo of You and Them
- Favorite Candy or Treat
- Traveling Utensils – We gave these to our kids for Christmas last year so they can continue to go out to eat in a pandemic and use their own utensils. Our kids said it was the best stocking gift ever!!!
- Adulting Budget Binder – The Adulting Budget Binder is a FREE Bonus included with the Family Budget Binder and a great gift to help young adults manage their money.
Adult Children
- Family Budget Binder – This includes The Adulting Budget Binder as a FREE bonus.
- The Game Ledger – Score book to document wins and loses when having family game nights!
- Board Games
- Bible Color Code Worksheets (free from our library) with a set of Highlighters!
- Take them to out for a coffee date (breakfast or lunch)
If you have adult children raising kids, here are a few books that would make great gifts!
In The End
My greatest accomplishment in this life is raising the children God has given me. So this Mother’s Day I look forward to honoring them as much as they look forward to honoring me.
How will you honor your children this Mother’s Day? Share it with me in the comments below, I’m always looking for new ways to bless my kids especially on Mothers’ Day!
Free Mother’s Day Gift Tag
PS…Don’t forget to head over to our FREE COMMUNITY LIBRARY to print your Mother’s Day Gift Tags For Kids today!
~ Timberley Gray
I love the idea of giving a gift to kids for mothers day. It’s selfless and beautiful. I’m not a mother yet, but God’s willing I will be and I’m looking forward to putting these practices in place. God bless you
Nicola just thinking about motherhood in the future tells me you are going to be an awesome mom one day! ~ Blessings
I absolutely love this! I have a friend here that does the same exact thing!! On Mother’s Day she celebrates her kids and the gift that they are to her!! SO beautiful! Thank you for sharing! ❤
Thank you Donna for stopping by to read! ~ Blessings
I never thought of it this way lady! You inspired me!
HI Tiffany! Thank you for those kind words, if you decide to do something for your kids please share that with me. I would love to hear how your children responded. ~ Blessings
Wow am so inspired. I will also celebrate my children. I have been blessed with four beautiful girls. Who go out on morhers day to express their love.
This year will surprise them with your idea. Thank you!
Oh I am sure your daughters will love it and yes they will be surprised. Blessings to you sister and thank you for stopping by to read!
Just what I was looking for! I was thinking of giving a gift to my two young adult children for Mothers Day tomorrow and when I Googled it for ideas, this page came up. I love this idea!
Oh Praise God for technology and so glad it was what you need. Trusting those gifts were a blessing to your children. Happy belated Mother’s Day to you. ~ Blessings
Timberly,
Wow your perspective on Mother’s Day is amazing and really encouraging. I’ve never heard of someone gifting their kids on Mother’s day. And while it’s true you are their mom, they made you a mother. I think this truly displays Gods love when even on a day that was meant to be focused on you, you chose to focus on your children. I love this! Keep letting your light shine!!
Thank you Tamika your words of encouragement blesses me!
How super sweet this is… self-less and a great example. I want to be like this, mindful daily.
So glad this encouraged you Rose, there’s plenty of time to try this out next year with the family! ~ Blessings
After I read your article, it blows my heart away …it makes sense and emotionally touched me. The gifts can be big or small, can be bought or created but the the message says it all.
My appreciation to my 93 year old mom who lives with me. Although she is getting frail, we all celebrate her birthday every year. Praise the lord!
Yes Chit! And what a blessing to have your mom still with you. Thank you for stopping by to read! ~ Blessings
I have given our children gifts on Mothers Day for a number of years now because I truly feel blessed to be their mom. They are all adults now, but they will always be our “gift from God”!
Amen Sharon! I love being a blessing to them even as young adults. Thank you for stopping by to read. ~ Blessings
The one thing I was sure of in life, was I wanted to be a mother. And finally within two years I had two beautiful healthy children that are now productive adults. Many years ago I started writing them a letter for Mother’s Day. The first letter was about their childhood and my learning how to mother. As the years progressed I wrote about all the old rules of the house, the lessons of life, Mom’s axioms such as “nothing good ever happens after midnight”, etc, pertinent words of wisdom I have collected over the years just to mention a few ideas. I keep a copy of these letters and the kids have kept theirs in their old memory box. The letters are treasured memories for us that are read and reread in times of great joy and sorrow.
Hi Kim! I LOVE that! And think I may have to do something similar. I have often thought about a journal so this is a great idea. What a treasure you are leaving your children for instruction! ~ Timberley