Leaving an impression on your mom doesn’t have to leave one on your wallet! /Julie Hills
As a new mom, the number one thing on my wish list this year is a full night’s sleep. I’ve asked my husband for help with nighttime feedings, since the baby hasn’t gotten the hint yet. From her, all I need are a few more gorgeous smiles that make it all worth it.
Now that I’m a mom myself, I have a new appreciation for my own mother and the years of sacrifice and dedication she poured into her children. But I know that she really means it when she says “doesn’t need anything.”
So instead of blowing a wad of cash on some “thing” that will need dusting on the shelf, I’m going to show my appreciation for her years of lost sleep with gifts from this list of frugal gifts for Mother’s Day.
1. Paint a ceramic plant pot, and plant it with her favorite herbs or flowers. You can use regular house paint or acrylic craft paints (just avoid water soluble paints).
2. Make these homemade photo coasters out of tiles from your local home improvement store, mod podge, and acrylic sealant.
3. Make decoupaged candle holders with tissue paper and mason jars or vases from Goodwill or the Dollar Store.
4. If she likes to hike, pick a bouquet of wildflowers from a favorite trail and arrange a hiking date with her.
5. Make old-school art for her fridge by drawing a picture of your family with crayons or finger paints. Enlist the help of your own children if you must, but don’t be afraid to make bad art on your own!
6. Use fabric paints to decorate a plain apron or tablecloth.
7. Frame a picture of your mom with her kids, with a quote about motherhood (you can purchase a frame one size up from the photo you have to leave room for writing), or make a short 4×6-sized album of photos interspersed with handwritten quotes on 3″ x 5″ index cards.
8. Make a mix CD (or MP3 playlist, if your mom’s technologically advanced) of songs from your family history.
9. Put together a gift basket of lotions, candles, and sweets from the 99-cent store.
10. Turn the tables and cook her a batch of the cookies you always beg her to send.
11. Take her out to happy hour, or set a date with her to split a bottle of her favorite wine and make a point to find out something about her you didn’t know before…. A few years back I found out my mom had climbed Mount Rainier and was engaged to someone else before my father!
12. On the slightly-less-frugal-but-really-cool side, if your mom has an iPhone you can make her a personalized photo iPhone case from Shutterfly! Available for iPhone 3/3g/4/4s/5, from $35-45 plus shipping. Shutterfly is offering 20-50% off many photo gifts (including the phone cases) through 5/1/13, and free shipping on orders of $50+ through 5/2/13 (use code SHIP50 at checkout).
Find more frugal ideas from the BargainBabe.com team for Mother’s Day gifts here and even more frugal Mother’s Day gifts here.
What are you getting your mom for Mother’s Day?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I love idea No. 7!
“Frame a picture of your mom with her kids, with a quote about motherhood (you can purchase a frame one size up from the photo you have to leave room for writing), or make a short 4×6-sized album of photos interspersed with handwritten quotes on 3″ x 5″ index cards.”
I think I’m going to print a pic of my mom and Lucy and do this!
Oh, great! Post of pic of your final product! My mom is visiting and my goal is to get a good photo of the three generations of women in our family and do this for her, as well!
@Julie So smart! My Mom was just visiting and I took, like, three photos of her and Lucy. Didn’t think about taking one of all of us. Darn. But I have a cute one of her pushing Lucy in the swing, so I’m going to use that…if I can get my photo printer to work.
Unfortunately, my mother is no longer with me. You can do the projects for or with her that keep getting put off for which she needs help. Whether it’s helping with a cleaning project, working together in the garden or organizing photo albums and reminiscing, it’s something that will make her feel better and that she will always remember. Giving of your time and attention cost nothing.
Yes, Myke, how thoughtful and meaningful to help her out with projects around the house if you’re lucky enough to live close! I hope you had a chance to do some of this with your mother in the past; it sounds like you have some wonderful memories.
@Myke What a sweet comment! I can tell you gave your Mom much of your time and attention before she passed. I don’t live close to my Mom, so a phone call (Skype with video if we’re lucky) and present in the mail is it for me. Do you honor your Mom on Mother’s Day?
With 4 kids I have done a couple of these over the years but this gives me more ideas. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Lindsay! Hope you find something great for your mom and that you have a wonderful Mother’s Day with your kids, too!
@Lindsay Glad the post gave you more ideas! What have you done in the past?