Food, Home and Style

Five Priceless Mother’s Day Gifts

The National Retail Federation reports that spending is down more than ten % this year for Mother’s Day gifts. Expensive jewels and perfume may not be feasible for the cash-strapped, but don’t despair. You don’t have to break the bank to make Mom smile. Here are a few ideas for priceless gifts she’ll treasure.

1. Breakfast in bed
Mom took good care of you, now it’s her turn for a little pampering. Make her breakfast in bed, complete with a small vase of fresh flowers from the garden. A fragrant tea, like jasmine or Earl Grey, is a delightful thing for her to wake up to.

2. Memory Jar
Buy a pretty jar or vase or other container and fill it with memories. Write each one on a small piece of colored paper, then fold it up. Tie a colorful bow around the container and call it a “memory jar.” You can add new memories each year for a fabulous Mother’s Day tradition.

3. Spring Flowers
Spring has sprung, and now’s the time to enjoy nature’s eye candy. Go to your local garden supply store and buy some annuals – which should run you just a few dollars, like these beautiful blue geraniums ($4). Depending on where you live, geraniums, petunias, pansies, dahlias are all gorgeous possibilities. Plant flowers for her, and make it a spring tradition. She’ll enjoy your gift for the whole season.

4. Handprint Crafts
There are all kinds of crafts that involve making a keepsake out of a child’s handprint or footprint. Stop by a local potter’s painting shop and make a plate, tile, mug or vase featuring handprints along with the kids’ names and birth dates.

5. Photo Op
Find a favorite family photo from day’s gone by. Take the negative to a photo shop and have them blow it up into an 8 x 10. Place it in a snazzy frame and presto! You’ve got an inexpensive gift that Mom will treasure.

Tags: budgets, gifts, Mother's Day