With Mother’s Day approaching in many parts of the world, it is a perfect time to share some fun ideas for “family history” gift giving. After all, what mom would not like to receive a gift that represents her heritage and teaches others about her ancestors? What about a gift that helps her share her story, aids in preserving her memories, captures her passion for family history or highlights her devotion to those she holds dear? The fact that you have given her Mother’s Day gift some thought and effort will surely enliven her life and make her feel loved. Family history gifts keep on giving for many years to come!

One of the best (absolutely free) gifts to consider giving your mom this year is to teach her to use The Family History Guide (if she does not yet know) to make her family history journey easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable! Spending time together doing family history is truly a gift from the heart that will make a difference in both her life and yours!

Check out these ideas found in this blog post with some fun additions for other meaningful gifts for Mother’s Day. These ideas are simply great for grandmothers, too!

In the article entitled, 5 Ways to Give the Gift of Family History, Miryelle Resek offers these gift suggestions: 

Do you have a lot of family photos that you aren’t sure what to do with? Use them to create a family photo blanket! Personalized blankets with photos of children, grandchildren, or even ancestors can be an excellent way of bringing comfort and preserving family memories. The blanket doesn’t have to be just photos; if you have a favorite family quote or saying, include it on the family blanket.

Consider a customized journal with a photograph of an ancestor on the cover and a note from you or another family member on the first page.

Similar to a family blanket, you can also customize a puzzle with family pictures or quotes. Create your puzzle with a family portrait, or, if you want to include family history, use a photo of your ancestors

[Help your mom] stay organized with a family calendar full of family photos. Your calendar can include photos of your family today, but consider including the photos and stories of your ancestors as well. Then, every time…children look at the calendar, they’ll be reminded of something about their family heritage. Note: Mom will, too!

In the “Service Activities”  section of the Family History Activities for Youth page is the suggestion to  do a Family History Interview. (F6-03).
Record, transcribe and post the interview on FamilySearch Memories.

Read about our family’s experience using a Family History Center Story Room (click to find one near you) to record your mom and/or grandmother’s stories (call ahead for the nearest center and to make sure they have this option).  The 52 stories Project is a fantastic gift that you can give each week of the year.  How could these personal gifts not be received with gratitude? I think they are the best kind of gifts for Mother’s Day or anytime!

Another way to help your mom or grandmother share and record her story is to arrange get-togethers with cousins to reminisce, view photos, write down what they know, and preserve these memories. See this blog post for inspiration and suggestions for making this happen.

Jenn Erickson of JENNUINE states:

If you’re lucky enough to have a collection of old family photos, where do you keep them?  Have your photographic family treasures been secreted away to a chest, drawer or box?  If so, here’s a way to bring them out into the light of day for current generations to appreciate and enjoy…

Thank you, Jenn!

Lisa Lisson in the Mother’s Day Genealogy Gift Guide): shares:

A day with you! – Enjoy spending time with your mother learning about your family’s history.  Tour the family’s sites. Walk the family cemetery together. (You know us…..genealogists love cemeteries.)

Emma Jeffery, who writes the Hello Beautiful blog, created a beautiful way to display (and use) her grandmother’s handwritten recipes so that they wouldn’t be sitting, “unappreciated in a drawer.” Printing the recipes on tea towels allows her to see her grandmother’s writing and have it inspire her every day.  Thanks for sharing, Emma!

After seeing a four-generation photo online, Tash Sinclair from Australia was inspired to capture all four living generations of her family in the single photo. This would be a fun gift! See the Family Tree blog post Family history DIY Projects for more ideas.

In a RootsTech 2017 presentation, Rhonna Farrer advised: “Be thinking of ways that you can … get [genealogy] in the hands of your family, this brings history and your story to life.” A wonderful thought as you plan gift-giving for Mother’s Day!

More ideas:

Ideas for Mom on Mother’s Day – Family Tree Blog

Family History Gift Ideas on Wiki

16 DIY Family History Gift Ideas

Practical Genealogy Gifts for Modern Family History Lovers 

Mother’s Day is coming – Celebrate like a Genealogist