Being a mom for over 15 years and having a mom for (well) over 40...I've come to observe that homemade gifts are what melt moms' hearts. It's the time, the thought and the emotion put into the gifts that tugs at her heart strings. Whether it's a hand-drawn card, a craft project, a poem -  these are the gifts that moms treasure and hold onto for years (even after they leave the house)!

But what if you're not crafty? Short on time? (Life is one big hurry😉) Or your kids are getting older and have moved beyond the "cute" stage - or If-I-can’t-use-my-phone-forget-it phase?

I’ve got the perfect gift idea for you!

A gift that captures every emotional attribute AND is easy for her to hold onto (something that the moths won't feast on in the attic) AND your teen can keep their phones attached to them!

A slideshow.

Yes, you're saying, it is a personal, unique gift - but I don't have all that time. And "she" manages (a.k.a. takes all) the family photos.

-Have a camera on your smartphone? Or IPad? You got this. Starting today, take some photos – posed or unposed.

-Shots of her doing loving things...lovingly.  See the care and work she puts into family life that she doesn’t get thanked for!? Let her know you notice.  Capture it on your camera.  Title it "Thank you for all you do". 

-Or, catch her in her natural beauty or from the kids' point of view and title it "From our perspective".

-Mix up the still shots with short videos. Like, real short - 2-10 seconds short. She doesn't have to be in every shot, either. Take shots of her 'touches' - folded towels, plates of food, her work clothes/laptop bag, your made-up bed, any impressions that she leaves around the house. 

-Interview each other. Asks simple questions like, “What do you love most about Mom?”, “How does Mom make our lives better?”, or quiz each other on her favorite things and see who gets it right!

There is available software on iMovie or Windows Movie Maker, Canva, Vimeo, or you can even leave your photos/videos on your phone and download an app. (Way too many to list here – our faves are CapCut, Google Photos or PicPlayPost.) And don't forget the background music - it really adds to the emotion. 

Good luck!