Before I became a mom, I thought the best Mother’s Day gifts were those I could buy off the shelf. While sometimes that may be the case, more often than not, the best gifts are those from the heart. The saying is cliché for a reason, and it rings true now that I have two children of my own.
As much as I enjoy my daughters, it is nice to be reminded of how I’m appreciated as well as get the occasional break from the daily grind (and I mean that in the most loving way possible). Below are some custom gift ideas for mom. Trust me, she’ll appreciate that you put some extra thought into her special day.
Time Together
This is especially a great “gift” for your mother if you’ve left the house and don’t see her often. That said, I’m not talking about spending time with her at home, where she’ll feel obligated to help clean, cook or chase the grandkids around. I’m suggesting you get her out of the house … she may need an “excuse” to relax.
A mani/pedi is a great, inexpensive way for her to do this. It’ll cost less than a day at the spa and will give the two of you some time to catch up. If she’s the adventurous type, open her eyes to a new experience — take her skydiving, take a dance class together or go on a horseback ride. But don’t pay full price. Couponing websites frequently run great deals that will make such experiences more affordable. Not wanting to spend money? Try a local hike, picnic at the park or something low-key like bird watching.
A Gift Subscription
If you’re looking to get Mom the gift that keeps on giving, purchase a subscription tailored to her taste. For the beauty or fashion junkie, Birch Box and Stitch Fix are great options. Moms with young children who don’t get many breaks may appreciate a magazine subscription to read in their “down time.” If she’s tired of cooking, prepared meals from companies like Hello Fresh take the guesswork out of what goes on the table — and they’re easy enough for dad or even older children to prepare.
My mother-in-law got me a monthly wine club subscription one year, and it provided an exciting, new gift every month (as well as the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day). If you want to get the most savings on a subscription, check out online coupons to get deep discounts, and shop around. And you’ll often receive a steeper discount if you opt for the subscription that’s one year versus three to six months.
Personalized Gifts
This is a pretty broad category, but it gives you a lot of options on cost.
If you’re on a budget, create a handmade card for mom or raid the pantry and make a body scrub for the shower (I found some great recipes that include everything from sugar and coffee to olive oil and lemon juice). You also can make artwork with tiny handprints or footprints, which she’ll treasure for years to come.
If you’re comfortable with spending a little, check out an online marketplace like Etsy for some cute jewelry personalized with birthstones, initials, names and even thumbprints. Cut costs by looking at options with cubic zirconia, which mimics real gemstones. If your mom is a grandmother, she may appreciate a photo album filled with photos of all her grandchildren. Or, take a favorite photo from when she was young with her mom, and digitize it. Then use the photo to make a fun throw pillow, large canvas, keychain, or even just a print to put in a nice frame. Many websites allow you to stack coupon codes for huge savings, so don’t forget to save.
A more expensive but thoughtful idea is to hire a photographer to do a photo shoot with mom and her family. I suggest you give her ample time to purchase an outfit for the shoot, as well as pick a day that fits with her busy schedule. Moms are often the ones behind the cameras and rarely think to include themselves, so it’ll be nice for her to have pictures of herself with her loved ones.
Do Housework
A gift almost any mom can appreciate is time off from chores and housework. Make plans to get her out of the house, and surprise her by doing some “spring cleaning” while she’s gone. Do the laundry, dust, vacuum, mop — you get the picture. If you’re not up for putting in some elbow grease, look online for a discount and use a cleaning service. When she comes home she’ll be able to sit down and unwind — and sometimes, getting a break is the best gift of all.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you do something that reflects how much you care about your mother so she has a wonderful Mother’s Day. Odds are she deserves it!
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Save Money on These Creative Mother’s Day Gifts originally appeared on usnews.com
