DIY Mother’s Day Gift: Thrifted Wildflower Candle

By Felicia Czochanski Bisaro

As the years go by, it becomes more and more clear that the most precious part of life is time, and it’s our job to make the most of it. If you are lucky enough to still have your parents or paternal figures in your life, honoring them on their special days is an amazing way to show your appreciation for all they’ve done for you and the impact they’ve had on your life. Especially in a world driven by technology, unplugging to spend some quality time together with your mom for Mother’s Day can make the day extra special. Here’s an easy DIY idea that won’t break the bank and will be sure to brighten your mom’s day!

Start With Thrifting for Mother’s Day

Start your day with a trip to your local Goodwill store with your mom. Check out the shelves in the home goods section to find some pretty glassware that’s begging to be repurposed. I found a lot of little tea light holders that would be perfect for the candle DIY I had in mind, but you could just as easily use a stemless wine glass or even a small decorative square vase to achieve the same look.

I picked up two glass containers for $2.99 each and found a small tube of glue for $3.99. Those are all the materials I needed, and if you already have glue at home, even better, keeping this DIY total $10. But the outcome is priceless.

Take a Nature Walk

Once you’ve found the perfect glass containers for your DIY, then head out for a walk in the park to take in some fresh air and search through the pretty wildflowers that are starting to bloom as spring has officially sprung. On my walk, I got so lucky, finding pretty pops of pinks, purples and yellows.

Make Your DIY Mother’s Day Gift

Now that you have your flowers, glass container and glue, you’re ready to start the DIY.

1. Put the flowers on a paper towel and place them on a microwaveable plate. Then, layer another paper towel sheet on top and a few more plates on top of that for added weight. Microwave it for one minute. Check it to see if the flowers have dried. If not, keep microwaving in 30-second increments, checking after each one until the flowers are dry. This method for drying out flowers was new to me, but it was time-efficient because you don’t need to wait a few days to have pressed flowers dry out in the pages of a book. If you wanted to wait a few days to do your DIY after picking the flowers, that’s another option for drying them out.
2. Once your flowers are dry, pick up your glue and start to arrange the flowers inside your glass jar. Feel free to get creative with the arrangement and play around with different patterns and color combinations.
3. Finally, add a small candle or tea light, and you have a perfect DIY Mother’s Day gift that will last the whole year long.

Wishing all the moms, grandmas and matriarchs a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Make this Mother’s Day extra special with a heartfelt, budget-friendly DIY gift! Visit your local Goodwill to find unique secondhand treasures for a creative and memorable celebration with your mom!