Personalized Gifts for Mom From the Kids: Ideas for Every Age

Here's an awkward truth about gifts for mom: in many families, mom is the one who buys the gifts. Including, sometimes, her own. So when the holidays or her birthday come around, the kids want to give her something, and they need a grown-up's help to do it.

This guide is for that grown-up, usually a partner, sometimes a grandparent or an older sibling. Here are personalized gifts for mom from the kids, organized by age, so the gift actually comes from them.

Why "from the kids" matters

A gift from a partner is lovely. A gift from the kids hits differently. It shows mom what her children notice about her, and children notice a lot: the coffee, the lists, the way she always takes the last pick of everything.

Our film Mom Goes First is about a six-year-old who noticed her mom always opens her present last, and drew her sitting on top of every present.

The more the kids are involved, the more the gift means.

Gifts from toddlers (ages 1–3)

Toddlers can't choose or make much on their own, but they can contribute something irreplaceable: their marks.

• Handprint or footprint art, dated, framed
• A scribble portrait of mom. Ask "Is this mommy?" and write down whatever they say. Toddler descriptions are priceless.
• A recorded video of them saying "I love you, mama" (or their version of it)
• A photo book of mom and toddler, captioned in the toddler's words as told to you

Gifts from preschoolers (ages 3–5)

Preschoolers love making things and keeping secrets (badly).

• A drawing of mom doing her favorite thing
• An "all about my mom" questionnaire: How old is mom? What does she do at work? What's her favorite food? The answers will be hilarious.
• A decorated picture frame with a photo of the two of them
• Breakfast in bed, with heavy supervision

Gifts from school-age kids (ages 6–10)

At this age, kids can plan and carry out a gift with some help.

• A coupon book: "One morning of no complaining," "I'll fold the laundry," "Movie night, my treat"
• A homemade card with a real letter inside
• A drawing that answers a question, like "What does mom do all day?" or "When do you think mom sleeps?" Our film In Charge of the Sky began with that question and a drawing of mom holding the sun and the moon.
• A simple baking project, wrapped up

Gifts from tweens and teens

Older kids can choose and make more sophisticated gifts, and their words carry real weight.

• A handwritten letter about what mom means to them
• A playlist of songs that remind them of her
• A photo book they design themselves
• Cooking a full dinner, planned and cleaned up
• Their own childhood drawing, rediscovered. Teens are often moved to find a drawing they made of mom at five. Giving it back to her, framed or made into something, is a gift from both their younger and older selves.

Personalized gift ideas for mom

Things she'll use daily

• A mug or tumbler with a child's drawing
• A phone case with the kids' art
• A hoodie or T-shirt embroidered with a child's drawing of her

Keepsakes

• A necklace or bracelet with the kids' initials or birthstones
• A framed collection of the kids' drawings of her over the years
• A memory box of their notes and cards to her

Experiences

• A day off, fully covered: meals, kids, chores
• A spa day or class she's mentioned
• A morning to sleep in, guaranteed

For the mom who's never in the photos

In many families, mom takes all the pictures and appears in almost none. Our film Case #002: Missing Person: Mom is about exactly this, and the son who drew her biggest of all.

A gift idea that answers it: take a photo of mom with the kids this year, deliberately, and frame it. Or let the kids draw the family photo, with mom in it.

A partner's checklist for pulling it off

1. Start early. Kids need time, and so does anything personalized.
2. Keep it secret (or try to). Make drawings at grandma's or during a "dad and kids" afternoon.
3. Ask good questions. "What's mom doing in your drawing?" gets better results than "Draw mom."
4. Write down what they say, on the back of the drawing.
5. Don't fix anything. Purple hair, six arms, a giant head: it's all perfect.
6. Let them give it. It's their gift.

Turning a drawing into something she'll wear

At ANORA, we embroider children's drawings on hoodies and T-shirts, as drawn. A mom who wears her kids' drawing of her gets a small reminder, every day, of how they see her. You can upload a drawing here and preview it before ordering.

Production and U.S. delivery take approximately 12 business days from the start of production, so plan ahead for Christmas, Mother's Day or her birthday. During our grand opening, code BESTGIFT takes 15% off.

Frequently asked questions

What is a meaningful gift for mom from her kids?

A drawing, letter or handmade gift that shows how they see her. Kids' observations about their mom are often surprisingly accurate, and moms keep these for years.

What can a toddler give mom?

Handprint art, a scribble portrait with their description written down, or a short video message. A partner can help turn these into a framed piece or keepsake.

What should I get mom from the kids for Christmas?

Something the kids made or helped create: a drawing of her, a coupon book, a photo book, or a keepsake made from their art.

How can dad help kids make a gift for mom?

Set aside time, provide supplies, ask open questions about mom, write down what the kids say, and let them present the gift themselves.