Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Mom

She's Done So Much for You, Now Show Her That You've Noticed

It might sound like a cliché, but when moms are asked what they would like to receive for Mother's Day, many will say that they "would like their children to be happy." But what she doesn't say is that she would also like to know that her family notices and appreciates her efforts on their behalf. So this year give mom a gift that shows how much you've noticed.

Take Over

For this gift you won't need to worry about spending your whole allowance. More than anything you could buy for your mother, she will appreciate when you take over her chores for the day. Show her that you notice all the work she does for you, by doing it all for her on Mother's Day. First, make her sit down in the comfiest chair in your family room. Set up her favorite video, a glass of sparkling water, and a few choice snacks. Now she can kick back, put up her feet, and watch the video as you jump into action, folding and putting away the laundry, cleaning the house, or weeding the garden.

Plant Her

Does Mom love a beautiful garden, but she can never find the time to plant one? Then this Mother's Day, purchase a flat of her favorite annual plants. Present them to her, as you ask her where she'd like to have them planted. Put a chair under a nearby shady tree, give her a glass of cold lemonade, and chat with her as you plant the garden she'll enjoy all summer long.

Tune Her In

Has Mom ever hinted that she'd like her own portable music player but didn't know how to get started? Why not chip in with your other siblings and purchase a small mp3 player for her? But, the gift doesn't stop there. Before you give her this gift you'll need to set up her music library on the computer and load it onto the player for her. Finally, spend a little time teaching her how to manage the music. While you're at it, you can share and compare your favorite artists together.

Celebrate Her Inner Foodie

Despite what you believed while growing up, Mom's favorite food isn't macaroni and cheese. In fact, she really is a bit of a foodie, watching cooking shows in her spare time and signing up for recipe newsletters on her computer. Let her explore her real passion for food by giving a package of unusual spices. It might be a collection of spices from a new cuisine she can discover, excellent quality spices for baking, or artisan sea salts. If your budget allows, toss in a new cookbook or food magazine subscription.

Take a Hike

If your Mom secretly loves the great outdoors, but spends too much time working in the office or around your home, plan to take her on a nature hike on Mother's Day. While you're out, present her with a field guide to birds or plants, and a journal to record her sightings. Pack a picnic to enjoy together while you're on this outing.

Give Her a Hand

Give Mom's loving hands a break on Mother's Day. Treat her to a manicure, and then follow it with a lunch. You can take her out to a special place for lunch (a tea shop would be lovely), or make it yourself. Just be sure that she neither cooks nor cleans up after lunch. You wouldn't want to spoil that manicure!

Organize Mom

Is Mom always so busy keeping you and your life organized that she never finds the time to organize her own hobbies? Give Mom a special bag, box, or other appropriate container to organize her favorite hobby. As part of this gift, spend time helping her put things in order as you talk to her and learn more about her favorite passion.

Rediscover Mom

Your Mom invests so much time in you and your interests, isn't it right that she should take time to explore her own? Give Mom a gift certificate to a class that will help her explore a new or old passion. It might be for a cooking class, yoga class, beading class, karate class, or wine tasting class. You may need to listen extra carefully to her few a weeks to discover her secret interests, but she'll love the attention.