Mother's Day On A Budget

Greetings, ATS!

Times are tough for most of us, and with Mother's Day quickly approaching, I thought it might be a fun idea to post creative gifts that cost little $$$.

As a mom, I can say without a doubt that I prefer anything homemade over store bought jewelry, candy, etc. Flowers are always nice, but they can be pricey. So here are a few ideas I've used over the years.

Homemade Items

1. Bubble Bath (you can find the directions on how to make this online. The great thing is, you can make enough for all the moms and grandmothers in your life and keep it inexpensive. Plus, who doesn't like bubble bath?

2. Picture Collages Yes, you can get a fancy frame at Walmart for ten bucks, but you can also make the frame and mat yourself with construction paper. We mothers love photos of the family, and this gift idea is always a hit.

3. Flowers Grocery stores often have cheap flowers that you can purchase. For a vase, use an old glass soda bottle, or something similar. You can paint the bottle, glue flower petals or pictures on it, and tie a pretty ribbon around the top. And you can always pick wildflowers....just make sure there are no spiders in the bouquet (happened to me once...yuck)

4. A Letter. I did this for my mom one year when I was in college and $$ was tight. I wrote her a letter with my favorite memories of things we did together. The letter was actually several pages long (I tend towards the verbose) and I put the pages in a photo album I decorated. My mom cried when she got the gift, and still says its her favorite gift I've ever given her.

So there you have it, ATS. Now its your turn to share your ideas.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

I always give my mom the BEST Mother's day eva. I make breakfast in bed for her and then I give her gifts and we go out to eat and I pay.

I love my mom

I tried the collage thing she said "Why would I want more pics of you!? I see ya'll enough already!" haha

Budget for mother's day A holiday that was created to stimulate the economy by teaching us to waste money on things we do not need is to be budgeted Shame on you, just make your husband buy you some jewelry and roses so our economy doesn't collapse and the money keeps filtering up to the top Be a good supporter of commercialism.

LOVE the letter idea. I think I will do that for my mom. I'll get ready for the waterworks - I'll include a nice box of tissues with the gift.

Originally posted by rickymouse
Budget for mother's day

A holiday that was created to stimulate the economy by teaching us to waste money on things we do not need is to be budgeted

Shame on you, just make your husband buy you some jewelry and roses so our economy doesn't collapse and the money keeps filtering up to the top

Be a good supporter of commercialism.

You know how my husband and I celebrate our birthdays, anniversary, and other "holidays?"

We go to walmart, pick out a card, show it to each other, then put it back. Done!

With flowers blooming everywhere here, I make my own floral arrangements. Flowers are free, you can get a vase at any discount store, even use a teacup with small flowers, fancy shaped jars, anything. Be creative.

Make a wreath with silk or dried flowers using items at discount stores. a glue gun, make a big beautiful ribbon and voila, done.

Decorate a cofee can with beautiful wrapping paper or contact paper, add a few silk flowers on top and pretty bow. You can put almost anything inside like a gift of candy or other food item, even sample size flavored cofees.

Baskets are cheap at dollar and discount stores, again, you can put almost anything in them. Line with colored tissue paper, put a pretty bow on the handle.

Take a pen, glue an end of ribbon and wind all the way to the bottom and glue that. Sew some charms or fancy beads at the top to dangle or a small silk flower.

I have to leave. I'll come back with more ideas later today. Thanks for an awesome thread!

what date is mothers day where you are its passed over in the uk

reply to post by billdadobbie


This Sunday.

I studied at Oxford and the American Mothers Day rolled around, I couldn't find any greeting cards to send home. Mom got a nice postcard, though.

I know this idea is Alaska specific, but I found out this morning that the AWWC, the Alaska Wildlife rescue near Girdwood will be free on Mother's Day.

I think we will be going on a road trip to see the baby musk oxen!
I am excited and wanted to share when I saw your thread, Thanks Smylee!

reply to post by smyleegrl


Those are nice ideas smylee
I don't want to be a Debbie downer..but I will be buying some fake flowers with my little sister and dad and son , and we will go replace the ones that are at my moms grave.

I will write a poem for my mammy(moms mom). And I have no idea what to do for my step mom. I feel weird about it. My hubby will be outta town. My dad said he would take me to lunch along with his mom, my grandma Diane and my step mom and her mom as well. And of course my lil sis and son will be there as well .

My son suggested flowers for my step mom. And yes the grocery store does have reasonably priced flowers.

And yes this holiday is strange to me and I don't really like it, but it's nice to be told happy mothers day when you are a mom....

Peace and love
-nat the lil angel cat-

Originally posted by natalia
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

Those are nice ideas smylee

I don't want to be a Debbie downer..but I will be buying some fake flowers with my little sister and dad and son , and we will go replace the ones that are at my moms grave.

I will write a poem for my mammy(moms mom). And I have no idea what to do for my step mom. I feel weird about it. My hubby will be outta town. My dad said he would take me to lunch along with his mom, my grandma Diane and my step mom and her mom as well. And of course my lil sis and son will be there as well

.

My son suggested flowers for my step mom. And yes the grocery store does have reasonably priced flowers.

And yes this holiday is strange to me and I don't really like it, but it's nice to be told happy mothers day when you are a mom....

Peace and love
-nat the lil angel cat-

Hugs to you, Nat. I wish I could say or do more.

The death of my mother is something I dread and fear. Thanks for reminding me that I need to show how much I love her now, while time is on our side.

Enjoy the time with your son, my friend.

I'm not sure what to do. I'm a guy and I can't make crafts or anything. For my girlfriend, I'd write a romantic poem and maybe read it to her. But, for my mom..? I suppose I could write her a letter, but that's really more of a mother-daughter thing and I wouldn't feel comfortable with that. I could afford some chocolates. Cheap cards can still be good ones. Any suggestions?

Originally posted by LoneCloudHopper2
I'm not sure what to do. I'm a guy and I can't make crafts or anything. For my girlfriend, I'd write a romantic poem and maybe read it to her. But, for my mom..? I suppose I could write her a letter, but that's really more of a mother-daughter thing and I wouldn't feel comfortable with that. I could afford some chocolates. Cheap cards can still be good ones. Any suggestions?

How about making her a mixed song CD of her favorite music? Or songs that when you hear, remind you of her?

Put together a photo album of family photos, chronologically ordered from birth to current day. Those are always fun to look at, and you can get a photo album just about anywhere.

Does she enjoy watching movies at home? Put together a "movie night" basket; couple of bags of popcorn and other snacks, a DVD gift certificate, some chocolate, and a coupon promising to watch the movie with her. That's the kicker...spending time with your mom.

Buy her a plant (not cut flowers) and plant it for her in her yard.

Hope these help, good luck!

reply to post by smyleegrl


How about a Garden in a teacup?



Here's an Idea for Father's Day.



Source

Tfw.

Originally posted by Theflyingweldsman
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

How about a Garden in a teacup?

Here's an Idea for Father's Day.

Source

Tfw.

I've done the teacup thing with cut flowers, but I LOVE your teacup plant!!!!!!!!!! It's perfect! I doubt my cat, turtle or fish will make me one though...

reply to post by smyleegrl


Great ideas!!

reply to post by smyleegrl


Thanks for the advice. I am thinking about getting her a plant.

Originally posted by LoneCloudHopper2
reply to post by smyleegrl

 

Thanks for the advice. I am thinking about getting her a plant.

Perfect! I know she'll love it. Enjoy your day together!

just send her a txt message or give her a hug or if you want to be really tight get some flowers from the grave yard

Originally posted by billdadobbie
just send her a txt message or give her a hug or if you want to be really tight get some flowers from the grave yard

I know you're probably joking, but stealing flowers from a grave is lower than low.