We know you love your mum dearly and would give anything to be able to whisk her away for a cruise or buy her that ridiculously expensive designer coat she has always wanted but we are aware that sometimes the reality of your bank account balance might not meet those ideals. Here are ten cheap and cheerful gift ideas for Mother’s Day…
1. Make her a coupon book
No, not a coupon that says IOU ten quid! We mean more along the lines of little coupons your mother would appreciate. You can either print some from online sources or, if you are feeling especially artistic, design them yourself. You can go for the simple “This coupon entitles you to a free chat and a cuppa” to “this entitles you to one night of dog-sitting”. The more personal you make it, the more she will appreciate it.
2. Cook her something
If you have some family members that can help you out with this one, you’re flying. Get someone to take your mother out for a few hours and while she is gone, you will turn her kitchen into her own personal restaurant. This doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, there are plenty of cheap meal ideas you could use. Set the table nicely, have her favourite dinner and bake her a little something for after. You will be in the good books forever.
3. Breakfast in Bed
If you no longer live at home, this might be a little bit trickier but crash your home house the night before and your mammy will only be too delighted to see you. Make sure you have a nice tray (few people can get caught out with that one) and cook your mum her favourite breakfast, with her favourite magazine and a little treat on the side. Another thing, make sure your alarm is set. Mother’s rise and shine infamously early.
4. Organise a Girly Movie Night
You love a good girly night in, your mom loves a good girly night in, this is a win-win situation really. Again, you will have to find some way to remove her from her own house for a couple of hours but once you are in, this is a quick set up. Have all her favourite treats lined up, order a take-away, get a nice bottle of wine, bring the duvet in and prepare for movie heaven.
5. Clean her house
You need to be incredibly careful with this one as some women despise anybody moving anything in their house. It’s not out of place to hear “WHO MOVED THE LITTLE CHINA GIRL?” echoing through your house, yet you only brushed past it and moved it less than a centimetre. On the other hand, if you mum occasionally passes comment that you never really helped around the house, you’re in. Again, she will need to be removed from her own house.
6. Chocolates
Chocolates can occasionally be a fall back panic option for the reality that you haven’t bought a gift, but they are still a nice little inclusion for the day. Thankfully, Mother’s Day falls quite close to Easter so there is chocolate a-plenty. Why not spend a little more on a really expensive Easter egg that she can store away for the next few weeks? Chocolate = Happy Mam.
7. Flowers
This may also be a panic option, but you can make it a very individual present if you like. Pop along to your local florist, as far in advance as possible as they can get quite busy, and ask them to make a bouquet for your Mam of her favourite flowers. You might want to trust the florist’s instinct on some of these!
8. Home Salon Effects
We all love our products and tools, and let’s be honest, we constantly rob these off our mothers. Why not invest in a nice new hairdryer, straightener or curling tongs. Alternatively, you could consider a manicure set if your Mom takes good care of her nails. Aldi are running a really good range of well-priced beauty tools, their French manicure with glass file is just €5.99.
9. Plan a day out
Arrange a time with your mom, tell her to clear her schedule and pick her up for a fun day out. There are plenty of reasonably priced events around the country, some are even free. Take a trip to the cinema, maybe a day out at the Powerscourt gardens or bring her out for lunch. None of the above has to be too expensive, maybe there’s a particular place your mom is very fond of so why not pack a picnic, pick her up and take a day trip. If the sun is out, even better.
10. Family Collage
You need to break out all the family photos for this one and that is not going to be an easy task but when you get around to that, all you need to purchase is a large, classy frame. Simple, but hugely effective.
Alternatively, you could combine all of the above and you won’t have to do the Mother’s Day event for at least five years.
