12 mother’s day gifts from the heart (not the wallet)

1) Breakfast in bed – doesn’t matter if this has been done a million times, it still pleases.

2) Make a video – ask each of her children what they love about her on DVD.

3) Frame a picture – choose a picture of you and her or better yet, of her grandchildren.

4) Memory jar – write a dozen of your favorite memories of your Mom on slips of paper. This works best if you can get siblings to contribute.

5) Help in the garden/around the house – do a few hours of work that she might not be able to do herself anymore, or just doesn’t want to do!

6) Make her dinner – have fun with it by creating a special menu and table setting.

7) Talent show – if you have a big family that lives nearby, enlist their help to perform short skits for your Mom. The skits don’t have to be about her or her life because the act of everyone working hard to entertain her will be a fabulous gift.

8) Personalized tote – purchase a blank tote and decorate it yourself (or have her grandchildren do the honors). Fill the tote with gifts.

9) A Small Indulgence – Erin at About.com’s Frugal Living blog suggests finding “out what your Mom has been denying herself, and then buy it for her.” Perhaps it is a particular beauty product, type of chocolate or magazine.

10) Print coupons – go online and sift through recent newspapers for coupons you know your Mom uses.

11) Picnic lunch – pack a lunch and take her on a hike, to the beach, or to a park.

12) Write a letter – tell your mom what you appreciate about her. Bonus points for special stationary or a hand-decorated envelope.