5 DIY instax™ photo gifts that’ll have Mum feeling the love this Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is on its way again — and let’s be real, I think we can all agree that Mum deserves a little more than a last-minute supermarket flower run and a ‘Best Mum’ mug.
It’s about time we bring the meaning and thoughtfulness to Mother’s Day. And how do we do that? By thinking outside of the box and surprising her with something that’ll make her emotional (in a good way, of course).
This is where personalised photo gifts come in as the perfect way to show just how much you care. With an instax™ photo printer in hand, it’s never been easier to take your favourite snaps of you and Mum and turn them into something worth keeping.
We have tons of Mother’s Day gift ideas in mind. The best part? She won’t expect them at all. So, grab your instax™ printer, set aside some time to dig through your camera roll, and get ready to create a DIY Mother’s Day gift like never before.
1. Flowers — but make it extra
We’ve taken the classic Mother’s Day but made it even better in the form of an instax™ bouquet. By slotting your printed instax™ photos in between the petals, you’ll be turning an already thoughtful gift into something much more sentimental.
How to create a Mother’s Day instax™ bouquet
Start by grabbing your Mum’s favourite flowers — it’s also best to check them over to ensure they’re healthy and not droopy in all the wrong places. If you’re unsure, roses are one of the best traditional picks, tulips are also in-season in the spring, and lilies smell lovely and look very elegant.
Once you’ve got the perfect flowers for Mum, pop them into some water straight away to keep them looking fresh. In the meantime, it’s time to dive into the abyss — and by that, we mean your camera roll.
Add all your favourite snaps of Mum or you and Mum into an album for easy access. You could even include snaps of things that make her happy, like your family's four-legged friend or her favourite walking spot sunset. Try to get a good mix of photos, ranging from solo portraits of Mum dressed in full glam, family group shots, and funny candids that make you laugh.
When you’re ready, all you need to do is print your photos using your favourite film. Depending on the instax™ printer you have, whether it be the mini Link 3™, the SQUARE Link™, or the Link WIDE™, these are our fave film styles for Mother’s Day:
- Heart Sketch for mini™ instant photo printers
- Sunset for SQUARE™ instant photo printers
- White for WIDE™ instant photo printers
We think that soft pinks, pastels, and whites create the best Mother’s Day aesthetic. Once you’ve got your collection ready to go, slot the photos into the bouquet for classic Mother’s Day flowers reimagined.
2. A home makeover from the heart
Mums spend so much time making a house feel like a home, so why not do your bit this Mother’s Day, too? With instax™ prints, you can add personalised touches around the house for a super cute surprise.
How to decorate with instax™ prints for Mother’s Day
Take a look at our ideas below and see which takes your fancy…
- Hang up a photo banner using instax™ heart design clips. Add your mini™ printed photos in the living room for a day of binge-watching Mum’s favourite shows, in the kitchen for a Mother’s Day lunch, or in her bedroom for breakfast in bed.
- Turn the fridge into a memory board using instax mini™ photo magnets or WIDE™ magnets.
- Make the dining table extra special with instax™ acrylic photo blocks. Choose the one that fits your instax™ photo printer in mini™ or WIDE™.
These are some super simple and budget-friendly Mother’s Day ideas — but they will have a massive impact on Mum for sure.
3. Photo cards for an instant gift upgrade
Standard Mother’s Day cards are so last year — but a handwritten Mother’s Day photo card featuring an instax™ WIDE print on the front? Now we’re talking.
Our instax™ greeting cards take sentimental to the next level, and they’re available in packs of 10 (with enveloped) so you can stash them away for future occasions or as last-minute pick-me-ups for friends.
There’s only one rule, though — no generic ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ notes allowed! We don’t provide these cards with a blank space inside for no reason. Write the most heartfelt message possible, filled with inside jokes, anecdotes, and tidbits that will bring a genuine smile to her face.
4. Memory scrapbook for the ultimate throwback
If your Mum is the type to hoard every family photo (and still carries a baby pic or two of you in her purse), this scrapbook of memories is quite literally the perfect gift to surprise her with.
Grab a scrapbook or journal in your Mum’s fave colour, and plan out how many photos you’d like to include on each page. Will you fill it up with photos only, or do you want to leave space for quotes, notes, and stories?
Once you know how many prints you need, it’s time to return to that old familiar camera roll and sift through the years. You might even need to go on Facebook for some really old shots! Make sure to include everything from funny family selfies and moments to baby pics and those vintage shots from 1970 that your Mum gets embarrassed about.
When it comes to sticking in your snaps, it’s easy to do with glue dots or a similar adhesive. Grab some in-theme washi tape, stickers, pressed flowers, receipts, and tickets — these are lovely little extras she won’t expect.
You can get the whole family involved, too — why not spend some time with your siblings and closest family members to put it together? Take turns adding your own handwritten notes next to the images, filled with stories and memories about Mum that are unique to each person in your family.
Need some scrapbooking inspo before you start? Check out our instax™ 2025 Scrapbook Challenge for more ideas on layout.
5. The jar of love
Now, this one is a gift that keeps on giving, even long after Mother’s Day! Perfect for keeping on a bedside table, desk, or kitchen counter, a jar filled with instax™ mini photos with notes on the back is a budget-friendly Mother’s Day idea that delivers a huge emotional impact.
Find a large, cute jar (ideally clear so Mum can see just how many lovely things you have to say!) with a big enough opening to slot your prints into, and fill it with prints of your Mum’s favourite things, snaps of the best meals she’s ever made, and shots of moments that make you proud to have a Mum just like her.
Use sticky notes or adhesive paper to cut and stick to the back of your prints, and then write little reminders on the back. Try to make them as relevant to the photo as possible, like, ‘You make the best roast potatoes EVER!’ and ‘Your cups of tea really do fix everything’.
Finish off your jar of love with ribbons, stickers, and labels for a personalised touch, and a gift that she’ll love forever.
Why do Mums love personalised gifts?
Anyone can grab a scented candle or a bar of chocolate and call it a day. But at instax™, we know that the best gifts aren’t the ones that are given — they’re the ones that are shared. That’s why Mums love personalised gifts — especially on Mother’s Day — because they show effort, thought, appreciation, and a whole lotta love.
Leave basic behind — surprise Mum with instax™
We all agree that Mums deserve so much more than a basic Mother’s Day gift. With all of these Mother’s Day gift ideas at your fingertips, you’re in the best position to create something thoughtful, creative, and, best of all — totally unique to your Mum.
Use your instax™ photo printer to turn your Mum’s best moments and favourite memories into something she can hold onto. She totally deserves it, after all.
