Guest post from Asheritah of OneThingAlone.com
You’ll find plenty of great Mother’s Day ideas online, but so many of them require either a hefty sum of money or a complicated project that often results in glue gun scars, broken nails, or Pinterest fails.
If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for your mom, your friend, or a subtle hint to drop your spouse, here are 5 gift ideas that won’t break the bank (or a nail):
1. Captured memories
It’s always good to be reminded of the good times on hard days. Pick special photos and put them to use. Place a photo in a larger frame with matting to look extra special. Make photo tile coasters or coffee mugs.
If you’re like me and can’t seem to find special photos (because you avoid the camera whenever possible), try to sneak in a picture together before Mother’s Day or find one on her Facebook page.
2. Date in a box
Pack a simple dinner in a picnic basket and give it to your friend (with an offer to babysit her kids, if applicable) for a surprising done-for-you date.
After days or weeks of constant mommy duty, what a relief to relax and not have to worry about dinner or the kids.
Here are some fun picnic basket ideas to get you started.
3. Encouraging quote cards
Write your favorite quotes or Bible verses on little cards and give them as a practical but encouraging gift. This is a give a mom friend the pep talk she needs to keep going.
4. Easy shoulder rub
Sometimes all a mama needs is five minutes to shut her eyes, lean back, and have a friend ease the tension from her shoulders.
Your friendship level will determine whether it’s a good idea to offer this or not, but if you don’t think it would be well-received, a 30-minute professional massage, while more expensive, will rarely be turned down.
5. Everything chocolate
When all else fails, a box of fine chocolates may hit the spot. You can make these easy chocolate truffles or cake balls (keeping some for yourself, of course), or pick up a box at your grocery store.
Whatever you gift you choose, remember it’s the thought that counts.
Your Mom and girlfriends will be pleasantly surprised that you remembered and made time to say, “You’re special to me.”
What are your favorite Mother’s Day gifts to give to others?
Asheritah helps overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus on her blog and through her books & art. She welcomes old and new friends to OneThingAlone.com to share a cup of tea and together pursue a relationship with Jesus. Also, she offers ready-to-print Scripture cards that might make a great Mother’s Day gift idea.
kariane says
I would like to add a nice letter to this list. Write things that are amazing about this woman as a mother, or as a person in general. As mothers, we are often so hard on ourselves. Hearing uplifting words about what others see us doing right can be so encouraging.
Sara Borgstede says
Such great ideas! The shoulder rub is my favorite! I would choose that one any holiday over a gift! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Amanda Koopman says
I tell my husband to have the kids pick out a houseplant. I love plants, they help the oxygen levels in my house, give it character. This year we bought a house, so now I can start asking for outside plants. 🙂
Asheritah says
Yes! My husband buys me a hanging flowering plant that I place at the entrance of our home. It’s such a wonderful gift that I see every time I come home. 🙂
shannon says
The last couple of years I have written notes on Mothers Day and Fathers Day to those friends who have lost their mom/dad within the past year and this will be their first Mothers Day/Fathers Day without them….
Asheritah says
Oh Shannon, I never thought of doing that but what a way to love those friends! Definitely something I need to start doing.
Marie Hickman says
I love that idea! My boyfriend lost his mother 10 years ago and writes her an email – he created an address something like [email protected] – and sends it out, long and thought-provoking and full of pictures – to it and to all the family.
Katiria says
I like to give photo albums with special themes like pictures of the whole family when they were in 3rd grade or something like that. Its funny for everybody to see themselves at the same stage in life. I do a different theme for each Mom of the family
Asheritah says
What a great idea, Katiria! Love it!
Jayleen @ How Do The Jones Do It says
I love ‘date in a box’ and ‘encouraging quote cards’! I had never thought of celebrating friends on Mother’s Day. What a fun idea!
CJ says
Inspirational quotes are a great way to start your day and CJO Photo offers a free printable to help create your very own inspirational quote jar – with an inspirational quote jar you can give your mom the gift of inspiration that can last the whole year. The free printable contains 365 different inspirational quotes. http://www.cjophoto.com/2014/11/inspirational-quote-jar-printable.html
Julie@FrugallyBlonde says
My sister and I usually just take my mom out to lunch. It’s a great way to spend some time just the three of us and it’s still inexpensive for the two of us to split.
Marie Hickman says
Love Date in a Box. Even an offer of babysitting is like the gift of gold!
Asheritah says
It’s especially valuable for those who don’t have family living close by. What a blessing to get a respite from Mom duty and just focus on each other!