Frugal Mother’s Day Gifts that Will Score You Major Points

Finding a Mother’s Day gift that fits the budget isn’t hard. Check out these simple and frugal Mother’s Day gift ideas that will make any mom smile.

As a child and teen, I would ask my mother every year what she wanted for a Mother’s Day gift, and she inevitably said the same thing: a clean house.

I did not like that answer. That answer took elbow grease. That answer was not as easy — or as fun — as going to the store and plunking down some cash for a little trinket or a bottle of perfume. That answer was not a quick fix.

And we all know that our culture and our economy are hurting from too many years of quick fixes. Yes, yes, it is.

So, today I propose budget-friendly Mother’s Day gifts that won’t cost you much at all — at least not where your pocket book is concerned. They may take some effort and creativity. But, as I look through the list, I know my mother would be ecstatic.

And I know that, as a mom, I would be, too.

Feel free to pass this on to all the sons, daughter, and husbands out there. 🙂

A Nice Meal

Food is the great comforter. And while a dinner out on the town can be wonderful, it can also be stressful if the money is not in the budget.

Cooking at home can be delicious, elegant, and budget-friendly. Try one of these great Mother’s Day recipes.

Make sure that you set the table nice and that you clean up afterwards!

A Sweet Treat

For the mom in your life, this might be a box of chocolates, but for many, it’s not. In fact, homebaked goods are better. They’re cheaper, too!

In a pinch though, don’t be afraid to grab some bakery cupcakes and customize them with fun cupcake toppers.

A Cheery Disposition

Ooh, that hurts, don’t it? But there aren’t too many things that plague me more than fighting or grumpy people. And I’m gonna bet, your mom isn’t too keen on it, either.

Work to have a good attitude. Say please and thank you. Ask her if you can help her with something. At least for a day, do what she asks without complaining.

That is priceless!

Good Conversation

One of my favorite things about Sunday dinner when our live-at-home kids are all together is that we sit and talk. We don’t solve the world’s problems, but we work on making life better for ourselves and each other.

Good conversation helps all relationships. Call your mom up and have a nice chat. Talk is cheap!

Time to Rest

I don’t think I need to explain myself here. But, in case I do…. Most moms I know are moving almost 24-7. If not their bodies, their minds are in constant motion, trying to remember the details of everyone’s life, trying to fill needs, attempting to solve problems.

Let mom have time to rest, whether that is your getting up with the baby in the night, letting her sleep in, or taking on the carpool gig this week.

Rest doesn’t have to be sleep. It can be a break from the mundane, a change from the ordinary, or a massage and hot bubble bath.

A vacation day would not be amiss this month!

A Clean House

You knew it was coming, didn’t ya? Surprise Mom with a clean kitchen, with a made bed, with socks in the hamper. You’d be surprised at what little time it takes — but the rewards are huge.

Follow these tips for How to Get Your Whole House Clean at One Time and surprise her.

If the budget allows, pay for a cleaning service!

A DIY Gift

There are so many fun and easy gifts that you can pull together yourself.

This list of gifts may not be a perfect fit for every mom, but I’m guessing that there are at least two or three on the list that are a great match. You don’t have to spend any money, either.

But, they will cost you something. The result, however, will be good. Trust me.

This post was originally published on May 5, 2011. It has been updated for content and clarity.