One of the best things about Mother’s Day (besides spending time with the family) is opening home-made gifts. When my kids were little, we spent time making something special for their grandmas. Presents from the kiddos are right up there with sticky kisses. This crossword puzzle/Scrabble picture can be made by children of any age and describes mom or grandma perfectly.

Any picture frame with a solid backing will work. I happened to have a wood tray from Goodwill in my stash. I liked the distressed gold finish, but painting it a color that coordinates with mom’s décor is a great idea too.

I’m always on the hunt for Scrabble games. The tiles can be used for all kinds of DIY projects. If you can’t find the vintage version with wood tiles, newer plastic ones work just as well.

Get the kids involved thinking of words that describe mom or grandma. Make it a fun spelling lesson. Lay out the words like a crossword puzzle. Be sure the layout will fit your frame or tray. Depending on the words you choose, you might need more than one game set.

Once you settle on an arrangement you like, glue each tile to the frame with regular craft glue. Allow the glue to dry completely before hanging.

What mother doesn’t like to be told how special she is?