Last updated on January 21st, 2020 at 10:19 am
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Mother’s day is a day when too many people blow their budgets, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Moms don’t need expensive gifts to feel appreciated, at least this mom doesn’t and I am sure I am not the only one.
10 Thrifty Ways To Honor Mom This Mother’s Day
1. Coffee date
One of my favorite things to do with my daughter for the last few Mother’s days in a row is to take part in Starbucks 1/2 price frappe sale that seems to always land over Mother’s day weekend. We grab one together and sip and chat away.
You can make a coffee date even more affordable by earning your Starbucks gift cards using one of these 8 places where you can earn Starbuck gift cards.
2. A Top 10 Reasons Why I Love You List
I wrote about how a “top 10 reasons why I love you list” impacted my mother over at Money Saving Mom. These lists don’t cost you anything but a little time, and they mean so much to the receiver.
3. A Bouquet Of Fresh Flowers
You can pick your own if you have a green thumb or you can pick a great looking inexpensive bouquet from Aldi’s or Trader Joes If you want the gift to be just a bit larger stop by your local thrift store for a vase you can put them in, then tie a bow around it and attach a tag with just one reason why you love your mom written on it.
4. Flowers That Will Last All Summer Long
If your mom loves to garden you might want to skip the fresh bouquet and opt for perennials or annuals. This is what my family does for me every Mother’s day weekend. They take me to a locally owned greenhouse and let me pick out annuals for the flower boxes that line our front porch that I sit on all summer long. It is a gift that lasts all season.
If your mom lives far away, you can still add to her garden by sending her seed packets in her Mother’s Day card.
5. Pictures
Mom’s love pictures of their loved ones. Dollar stores sell a variety of simple frames she is sure to love. Pick on out and fill it with a picture of her kids, or grandkids.
For a larger gift, you could make her a photo book and keep it thrifty by using a free code.
6. Art Made By Loved Ones
I saw this idea on Pinterest and loved it! (psst… you might want to follow the board while you are checking out the pin I plan to fill it with all sorts of great gift ideas for mom’s and dad’s (Father’s day will be here before you know it) )
7. A Magazine Subscription Or New Book
Have you heard of RecycleBank? It is a website that gives you points for learning about how you can help our environment as well as for performing environmentally friendly actions. The points can be traded in for rewards, and those rewards include magazines. It doesn’t take long to earn a subscription, and you can fill out the form in the name and address of your mom. (go here to sign up)
Have you heard of My Reader Rewards Club? If you love Christian fiction or nonfiction, you need to be a member of My Reader Rewards Club. They offer free paperback books and bibles in exchange for simple point earning actions such as reviewing books at online retailers, signing up for emails and e-devotionals and filling out short surveys. Trade in your points for a book, devotional, or bible you know your mom will love. (go here to sign up)
8. Jewelry made by loved ones
I have a few necklaces made by my daughter when she was younger that I cherish. Even full grown adult children can still make their mom’s necklaces check out my DIY jewelry board on Pinterest for ideas. If you are low on supplies, you just might be able to find some in your jewelry box.
Not a DIY person? Jane.com offers great deals on jewelry including Mother’s themed necklaces from time to time. I once got a beautiful Peapod Mother’s necklace from Jane.com for less than $10 shipped. What they offer each day varies.
9. Delicious treats made by you
Got a mom with a sweet tooth. Try out my recipes for peanut butter balls, chocolate truffles, chocolate bark and simple chocolate fudge. All four of these recipes are no bake and require just minutes to make.
Not a baker? These chocolates always make a great gift.
10. Your time
Most moms will admit that gifts are great and very much appreciated but our favorite thing is time with our kids. Put your cell phone away, be 100% present and engaged with your mother this Mother’s day. Trust me you will never regret time spent together.
For a list of 52 different websites, apps, and stores our thrifty family uses to help us keep our expenses low, click here to visit our Thrifty Tools Resource Page.
2 More Posts That Will Help You Find The Perfect Gift For Mom
- 10 Quotes and 3 Bible Verses To Use In Your Mother’s Day Cards
- 10 Thrifty Ways To Honor Mom This Mother’s Day
Are you wanting to learn how to spend less and earn more? Join my Thrifty People Of Snail Pace Transformations Facebook group. 
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I usually get a nice hanging basket for Mother’s Day. It brightens the front of our house all summer long. I have cards and little gifts my kids have made me. Not only are they great for me but my kids like to look at them and remember making them. This is a great list of ideas, thanks!
Love this list. I’ve done number 2 with my kids and husband but never my parents. I will have to do this!! Thank you for sharing.
Great list! I always like to get flowers for one of my sister-in-laws who is godmother for 2 of my kids. This year, she pointed out to me that the bulbs I get for her keep coming back, and how much she loves that!
I like the coffee date. I was thinking about having our moms over for lunch. Thinking that an evening coffee and dessert date sounds good.
Actually, my mother and I just began a new tradition this year. We celebrate my birthday and mother’s day with a coffee date while my husband watches the kids. This gives her and I some time together, doesn’t cost much, and we exchange mother’s day/birthday cards on the same day.
Great list! This year I want to make my mother a special meal. She is always cooking for other people; this time I want her to sit back and enjoy a meal that she didn’t have to cook for a change.
Great idea.
I love your idea about giving your time. Things are so crazy and busy these days I feel like this is a very thoughtful gift! Thanks for the idea!
Your welcome, and yes time is such a great gift, truly it is my favorite Mother’s day gift.
These are all great ideas! Books are one of my favorite gifts, no matter what the occassion! 🙂
Yes, I love a good book on Mother’s day it gives me the perfect excuse to curl up on my porch swing and relax with a good book, after all I want the family to know I appreciated the gift.
Wow – great simple treasures – truly – and the fresh flowers and TIME – those are my favorites! Thanks for sharing this.