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With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I figured now’s a great time to share some Mother’s Day gift ideas that even a newer hobbyist like me can turn on the lathe. Whether your mom is into cooking, gardening, hosting, or just loves a beautiful handmade gift, there’s something here for everyone—and every skill level.
Project times are approximate. If you’re newer to the lathe like I am, you’ll want to add a bit more buffer for trial and error (and maybe a coffee break or two). Also, don’t forget that finishing—like sanding, assembly and applying oil or wax—can add time too.
If you’re an experienced woodturner, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy here—even though most of these projects are beginner-friendly. You can breeze through them or elevate each one with your own creative spin.
Most of these projects require only a midi lathe or a mini lathe and a standard set of woodturning tools. And, of course, finishing supplies like sandpaper, wax, and oil. If you’re running low on finishing supplies head on over to our Tool Shop for some quick links to recommendations and get restocked.
Jump to a Mother’s Day gift ideas section:
- For the Mom Who Loves to Cook
- For the Mom Who Loves to Host
- For the Mom Who Loves Home Decor
- For the Mom Who Loves to Garden
- For the Mom Who Loves Jewelry
- For the Crafty Mom
- For the Mom Who Likes to Write
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Mom Who Loves to Cook
Honey Dipper
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 15 minutes
Quick, easy, and great when paired with a jar of locally sourced honey. Here’s a tutorial we found on how to make a honey dipper in 15 minutes.
Bowl
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
A classic turning project—and moms always seem to appreciate a handmade bowl. Use a hardwood like maple or cherry for a smooth finish and good durability. Grab your tools and check out this fantastic tutorial.
Serving Spoons
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 2 hours
With all the news about black plastic serving ware needing phased out, wooden utensils are a great sustainable alternative. I’ve actually been working on this replacement effort at my house and turn wooden kitchen utensils often. Check out the video below to get started.
Utensil Holder
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
Simple cylinder shape, practical, and impressive. Pairs well with any handmade serving spoons, too! Here’s a great video:
Pepper Mill
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
A bit more involved than a honey dipper but still beginner-friendly. You’ll need a mill kit like this one and a pepper mill wood blank. This video is a great guide.
Cutting Board
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 3 hours
I thought the idea of making a cutting board on a lathe was unique. I make most of mine off the lathe, but this lets you create a round cutting board. Either way, a cutting board is a great beginner woodworking project overall.
Platter
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
More surface area than a bowl, but the turning process is similar. Makes for a beautiful charcuterie board, serving tapas, or any number of uses.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Mom Who Loves to Host
See also all of the items above under ‘For the Mom Who Loves to Cook‘. This section is also for the mom who appreciates a good cocktail or glass of wine.
Wine Stopper
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 15 minutes
One of the easiest and most satisfying turnings out there. A great use for offcuts and small blanks. If you already have those you just need the stopper end. The video below will help you get started.
Bottle Opener
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 15 minutes
Just like wine stoppers, these are quick, simple, and a hit with entertaining moms. Grab a bottle opener kit and some wood blanks or use scraps you already have to make the handle. If you like the wire burning detail be sure to grab a set of these then head on over to the video to get started.
Cocktail Muddler
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
A smooth finish is key here. Great when gifted with a cocktail mix, a shaker set, or fresh herbs like mint. Here is our muddler project guide which includes specifications, materials links and more.
Goblet
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 1 hour+
Goblets are a fun challenge that looks much harder than it is. These really wow people!
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Mom Who Loves Home Decor
Candle Holder
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 15 minutes
From tea lights to taper holders, these are simple and can be customized with different profiles. Don’t forget to gift these with their intended candle size (tea lights if you follow the video below) and a lighter.
Pedestal Stand
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 1 hour
Here is my complete beginner’s guide on how to glue up a wooden pedestal stand using wood scraps around your shop.
Drink Coasters
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 1 hour
Simple and practical. Try making a set and tying them together with twine for a rustic gift vibe. Make them all the same or mix and match designs like in the video below. You can also make a holder for them, similar to the technique used for the utensil holder above.
Vases
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
These are always a hit—especially if you add flowers (real or dried) before gifting. A quick reminder that any wooden vases intended to be used to hold water need to be sealed and waterproofed.
Lamp Base
Skill level: Advanced | Time: 1 hour
This one’s for those of you further along in your turning journey. But wow, what a statement piece! You’ll also want to pick up a kit like this one to complete your project.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Mom Who Loves to Garden
Garden Dibber
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 15–30 minutes
Gift with a vegetable plant or seeds. It’s simple, useful, and makes planting more fun.
Check out our garden dibber project guide to get started. It includes links to tools and supplies. Also, here’s a video tutorial we found on how to turn a garden dibber:
Birdhouse
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
Don’t forget to help her pick out a spot and install it!
Bird Feeder
Skill level: Advanced | Time: 2 hours
Gift this alongside a bag of birdseed. Make the location selection and installation part of the gift, too!
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Mom Who Loves Jewelry
Jewelry Box
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 2 hours
A great, longer project if you’ve got time to invest. Help Mom organize her favorite jewelry with something you made just for her.
You could also gift this with a few of the ideas below inside.
Earrings
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
These are perfect small gifts that let you show off your creativity. Try mixing wood with resin or metal accents for extra flair. And grab an earring kit to complete your finished project.
Pendant
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 1 hour
Remember those necklaces in grade school you made out of pasta to show Mom how much she meant to you? This is like that but way more elevated and unique.
Bracelet
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
Wooden or resin bracelets or bangles are a challenging project. Check out the video below on how to make a beautiful, custom piece of jewelry.
Ring
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 1 hour
Turning a wooden ring requires precision and patience to create this custom piece of jewelry. Get started by watching the tutorial below.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Crafty Mom
Knitting Needles
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 2 hours
Smooth and polished needles feel great in hand—and are customizable in size and wood choice. Give alongside a skein or two of yarn and a knitting pattern book.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Mom Who Likes to Write
These desk and stationery gifts pair well together. They can also be gifted alongside a nice set of stationery.
Pen
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 15 minutes
Quick project with a big impact. Pen kits and wood pen blanks are easy to find and make the turning process super smooth. Check out our post on how to turn a pen to get started.
Letter Opener
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
This practical item is also a great gift idea! Check out the video below on how to make a custom piece that is both beautiful and functional.
You can also buy a letter opener kit and just turn the handle portion out of a small piece of scrap wood.
Paperweight
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes
Another great use for scrap wood or even colored wood/resin combos.
Keychain
Skill level: Beginner | Time: 15 minutes
While not quite what you think of for writers, we couldn’t leave this great, practical idea off this list and this felt like the closest category for it.
A keychain is a great use for scrap wood. Grab a keychain kit then head over to the video to get started.
No matter what Mother’s Day gift ideas you decide to make, the time and heart you put into a handmade gift means a lot. And if you’re newer to woodturning like me, don’t worry about getting it perfect—Moms have a sixth sense for knowing when something was made with love (and maybe a few sanding mishaps).
Happy turning, and happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
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