This Sunday is Mother’s Day, the time of the year to honor the woman who gave us the most. Bamboo Wall Art makes a great Mother’s Day present. Just choose your favorite photo of you and mom and upload. Customize with a variety of sweet designs. In addition to bamboo’s wide-ranging green qualities, Paper Culture plants a tree with each order, so it’s a win win. Click here for details. But perhaps you want to go even more DIY and make something from scratch for mom. Here are some easy ideas that will be sure to put a smile on her face.

Breakfast in Bed.

We love this recipe for easy blueberry vanilla pancakes from the BBC. Add a few scoops of ice cream or whipped cream? Why not. It’s Mother’s Day after all. Pair with real maple syrup and fresh fruit. When it comes to breakfast in bed, presentation is everything. Cover the tray in fresh flowers or add a few momentos that you know are particularly important to mom.

Decorative Boxes.

Speaking of mementos, these easy-to-make fabric boxes are a gorgeous way to store any keepsake. All you’ll need is a box, fabric, glue, scissors and decorations. Choose fabric in colors mom loves. And be sure to put a few of your favorite family photos in the box to get the collection going.

Homemade Beauty.

For some reason exfoliating scrubs are one of the most expensive things to buy, but one of the easiest things to make. Literally all you need is oil, sugar (or salt) and scent. Whip up a quick and fun body scrub, throw in some natural essential oils and package it in a mason jar with a beautiful ribbon. Make a few different kinds and surprise mom with a small beauty basket.

First Birthday Gift Ideas – Cool Mom Picks helps guide us through the most celebrated milestone of all — the highly anticipated one year birthday! Suggested presents range from the adorable P’Kolino’s Book Buggee, to the multipurpose MultiBox, a majestic German rocking horse, eco- and toddler-friendly building blocks, a crown fit for your little ruler, and a truly original name print.

Educational Gift Ideas for Special-Needs Children – Writer Suzanne Rose suggests the following educational toys for special-needs children: books (workbooks and activity books are especially encouraged), educational dvds, learning systems such as Hooked on Phonics, computer programs that encourage learning through games, or a membership to the zoo or museum.

Fill-in the Blanks -  While Pucci Levy was on the hunt for projects, activities, and favors for her daughter Freida’s birthday, she stumbled upon a batch of “blanks” for  children to be able to create “something from nothing”. Gifts included a book, nesting dolls, hardcover story book, jigsaw puzzle, ragdoll and comic.  I like the idea of purchasing all of these items together as a single-themed-super-gift.

Apartment Therapy: 10 Great Housewarming GIfts for Empty Nesters

10 Great Housewarming Gifts for Empty Nesters – The kids have flown the coop and your parents have decided to downgrade or move their home elsewhere. My favorite home porn blog, Apartment Therapy suggests the following gifts for those who might already have everything they need:  herbs from Williams-Sonoma, a wood puzzle from General Store, a Coffee Press from Horne, modern chef’s utensils from Gretel Home, a low-maintenance succulent terrarium from Succulent Design’s Etsy Store, assorted stationery from Rifle Paper Co, candy from Vosges, the ultimate tool from House 8810, a coffee table book from Amazon and whimsical rainbow chopsticks from MoMA.

I’m always on the hunt for shortcuts that might make my life a little more manageable. If you have any bookmarked gift guides to share with us, please do!