DIY mother’s day tray for breakfast in bed

What better way to start off Mother’s Day than with breakfast in bed. Maybe your hubby and kids will make you pancakes or french toast, or a yummy egg sandwich. Add some coffee, juice and a few flowers and they did good. Now, have this breakfast delivered on a personalized, handmade tray and they just knocked it out of the park!

This tray is a real simple DIY project that your kids could do. Even your husband. what? Ok, maybe he won’t be creating this project on his own, but give him a little hint – or print out this post – and he can help the kids create it. Or make a tray for yourself and leave it in the kitchen so the breakfast idea might just come to them!

The great thing about this project is that it works as a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift that is truly from the heart. But you {and husband and kids} can also reap the benefits – and praise – all year round. After your special day, display the tray on a coffee table, or use it to serve drinks during a party and it’s sure to be a great conversation piece. “You husband and kids made this for you? How sweet! You’re so lucky!” I can hear it all now.

Here are the materials you, ahem, your husband, will need:

• An unfinished wooden shadow box – I got a 12″x12″ one at Michael’s for $7.99. This shadow box makes a great tray because of it’s depth and the edges also overhang so they work like handles. You could also use any old tray.
• white glossy spray paint
• paper remnants – I love scrapbooking papers for their colors and patterns.
• photos
• mementos and/or kids’ drawings
• thoughtful words printed from your computer, or handwritten by the kids
• decoupage glue
• 1/2″ wide rope
• tools: scissors, drill, ruler, paintbrush or sponge

Instructions:

1. Sand your shadow box {or old tray} lightly and spray with a few coats of spray paint. Let dry.

2. Next, you want to use your paper remnants, photos, mementos, computer type, drawings, etc. to create a design on the flat surface of the tray. These can be cut and arranged anyway you like. I started with larger pieces of the scrapbook papers and cut them to the sizes I wanted. Then I glued them to the bottom of the tray using the decoupage glue. I made sure to start with the outer edges first so that things lined up nicely. Decoupage glue is messy but it will dry clear and clean.

3. Then I arranged my smaller photos, words, and drawings on top of the scrapbook papers. Have fun with this part – you can layer and arrange however you like! Again, glue them down with the decoupage glue and spread the glue over all the pieces too.

4. Once all the pieces are glued in place, use the decoupage glue as a sealer and spread a generous amount over all the pieces. Add additional coats until you have a thick coating. Don’t worry, it will dry clear.

5. For tray handles, drill 2 holes on opposite sides of the tray about 5″ apart.

6. Loop the rope through the holes and tie knots in the bottom of each end. Make sure you leave enough of a loop on top for your hand to fit through.

7. Now you need to fill that tray! Here are a few breakfast recipes that the kids can help make too. Again, feel free to print them out and maybe even leave them right next to your new tray. oh so subtle.

Vanilla French Toast recipe

Pumpkin Pancake recipe

Egg Sandwich with Ham & Spinach recipe

Handmade gifts are wonderful but not everyone has the time {or patience} to make them. Checkout my store-bought Mother’s Day gift ideas here. Enjoy!!