Mother’s day is fast approaching, and the search for the perfect gift is on. It can be hard to find that one gift to show your mom how much you love and appreciate her, all while staying in budget.
I have put together a list of frugal gift ideas for Mother’s Day.
We start off with the traditional gift ideas, the tokens of appreciation, followed by the gifts that involve some crafting and finishing off with gifts that let Mom get out of the house.
Make your mom feel like a Queen for the day by choosing a few ideas from the list, to help you celebrate your Mom this Mother’s day.
The Classics:
The following are the go-to-things to do for Mom on Mother’s day. I have lovingly named them the classics.
You can’t go wrong with them, but they can sometimes feel repetitive or expected. Now if Mom loves them, by all means keep up the tradition.
I have also included frugal ways to keep these classics within a budget.
Breakfast in Bed
What a way to start off the day! Being brought your favourite breakfast foods while still tucked into bed. Have the kids help out where they can. Depending on their age, you may want to help deliver the food to the bed to avoid a mess.
Going To a Restaurant
Treat mom to a nice meal, that she doesn’t have to cook. Wheter it is your favourite brunch spot or to a fancy restaurant, Mom will enjoy not having to think about what to make.
Keep in mind Mother’s day is one of the busiest days for restaurants so there will likely be a wait-time, and no discounts.
Instead of waiting in a long line at a crowded restaurant (along with everyone else and their mother) you can do this instead:
- Opt to cook a nice thoughtful meal at home for your mother (will also save you some money as well)
- Choose to celebrate a different day
- Utilize gift cards and meal specials
- Choose takeout instead (can always serve it plated on a nice table setting, to make it feel more special)
Flowers
Another classic gift idea. If your Mom loves flowers, you can’t go wrong with this one.
However along with Valentine’s Day this is when florists earn a great deal of money, by marking up prices. So be aware, cut- flowers may cost you a chunk of money, especially roses.
Instead you can opt for:
- Daisies
- Carnations
- Purchasing at the grocery store instead
- Picking flowers from your garden
- Check out a local Farmer’s market (they usually let you build your own bouquet)
- More greenery than blooms
- Wildflowers can usually be picked free from a park or field
- Potted plant – Lasts longer, will grow for years (hopefully)
It’s The Little Things
It’s the little things that mom will cherish the most.
The following are not expensive gifts, but rather tokens of appreciation, that will show her how much you care.
If your mother is anything like mine, she doesn’t expect anything fancy, and prefers something more sentimental anyways.
Let Her Sleep In
Does she want to sleep in? Let her!
Surely you can hold down the fort till then, take the litle kids to a park while Mom sleeps in.
Once you become a parent, your days of sleeping in are few and far between.
So let Mom enjoy some extra z’s. 😴
Bed Early
Staying on the topic of sleep, allow Mom the chance to sneak off to bed early if she wishes. That means chores are done and the kids are put to bed without her help.
Time Alone
Being a mom is hard. It is a 24 hour job.
Give her a chance to recharge kid-free, and even spouse-free if that’s what she wants.
Chore Free Day
Many of the household chores tend to fall on Mom’s shoulders, give her a break by helping out around the house, without being asked. This is a very thoughtful gift and requires no money, just a little bit of elbow- grease.
Do the dishes, take out the trash, clean your room, and make that bathroom✨sparkle! ✨
Trust me she will love this.
✨ Pro tip: Just don’t vacuum while she is sleeping in. 🙂
Car Wash
Treat her to a car wash. Whether done by the kids, or taken to a detailing place, everyone appreciates a clean car. One less thing off her to do list.
Treat Her to Treats
Does Mom have a sweet tooth?
Make her a special treat (get the kids involved), or budget to buy her favorite dessert.
Popular choices are:
- Cake
- Chocolate covered strawberries
- Cookies
- Cupcakes
- Ice cream
‘What I Love About Mom’ List
Compile a list of everyone’s favorite things about mom. Read them out over a meal, or add them to a card.
A few prompts to help get you started:
- Her laugh
- How she comforts you
- How you can’t live without her cooking
- How she is always there when you need her
A Kitchen-Free Day
I personally love this idea.
As an adult I find having to come up with, and then cook meals everyday (multiple times a day) draining, and I don’t even have kids!
Moms usually do the shopping, pack the lunches and prepare most meals and snacks, so give her a day where the kitchen is off limits, no cooking needed.
This can include going out to eat or ordering in.
✨ Pro tip: Make sure the kitchen is cleaner than you found it.
No Fighting Please
Is the house usually filled with bickering siblings. Make a truce to keep the peace, at least for today. Mom will greatly appreciate this.
Multiple Generations
If the Mom in your life still has her Mom around, include them in the celebrations, as one would not be here without the other.
Quality Time
Probably the easiest and most meaningful gift in this list, the gift of time, your time.
Since I have moved out, the biggest want from my mother has been for me to spend more time with her. So spend some quality time with your mother this Mother’s day and show her how much she means to you, that’s all they really want.
Crafty Gifts:
Nothing says love like, homemade.
Capture her heart and memories with the following thoughtful and frugal gift ideas.
Handmade Cards
Who doesn’t love a handmade card?
Let the kids paint, draw, stamp and add stickers to spruce up a card. Help the kiddos with the wording, or print off a cute poem to add to the card. There are many cute ideas to snag from Pinterest.
✨ Mess free tip: Design a card on the computer and print it off.
Drawing or Painting of Mom
Have the kids create a picture of themselves with Mom. Sure to get a chuckle out of mom, and always fun to look back on.
Handprint and Footprint Art
There are many cute ideas on Pinterest to transform little hands and feet into cute flowers or bugs.
Use paint, ink or tracing on paper to create an adorable image.
This sentimental gift is a great way to capture the size of your little ones prints and the heart of Mom.
Fingerprint Art
Little dirty fingerprints are probably scattered throughout the house. Turn them into a work of art instead, by creating fingerprint art.
Similar to handprint art, you can use paint or ink pads to create cute images for Mom.
Love Notes
Write down the many reasons you love Mom.
These thoughtful notes can then be used in a few ways:
- Make a jar full of the notes
- Add them to a calendar, as a daily/monthly surprise
- Hide them around the house for her to find
Coupon Book
This is another gift that will be a hit. Create a book by hand or on the computer with a variety of coupons that can be redeemed throughout the year.
I remember making this as a kid for my mom, and was so excited when she would use one!
Coupon Ideas:
- Massage
- Free Time
- A day to sleep in
- Helping with the dishes
- Helping with cleaning
- Helping with cooking
- Do Laundry
Walk Down Memory Lane
Show the highlights of motherhood throughout the year(s). Compile the memories and create something to cherish forever.
Take those memories and make a:
- Memory Book – Scrapbook style or bound
- A Photo Collage
- Slide Show
- Video Montage
Getting Out of The House
Give mom a chance to step out of her role, and out of the house with the following experiences.
Picnic
If the weather permits this Mother’s day, pack a lunch with some of her favourites and head out to a park, and enjoy a nice picnic.
This low cost option also helps you avoid the busy restaurants, and allows you to spend some quality time together.
Scavenger Hunt
A fun low cost activity, that the kids will love helping set up (and helping mom find).
Station clues around the house or yard and have a little gift or love note waiting at each spot, or a gift at the end. Great way to get the whole family involved and show their appreciation for mom.
Photoshoot
Depends on the mom, but a great gift idea is to take photos of the family together, she may want to know ahead of time to plan outfits, so make sure you know how she’ll act.
Or you could surprise her with professional photos of the kids, all cleaned up and looking cute, she will love it.
💵 Frugal tip: DIY Photoshoot
You will need:
- A camera/ phone
- Cute outfits
- Nice backdrop/ scenic spot
- Smiles
Make Mother’s day special this year, by choosing one or more of these thoughtful, and frugal gift ideas.
What is your go to gift idea for Mom?
If you are a Mom what is the best gift you have gotten for Mother’s day?
Let me know in the comments below
