Mother’s Day on a Budget
Mother’s Day is just around the corner! The picture at the top of this post is a recent one of me and my mom. I had the privilege of spending some one-on-one time with her for an early Mother’s Day date. More times than not, we take at least one picture when we are together—especially if our whole family is in one place. I think it’s so important to have these photos to look back on and cherish as time goes by. My mom is one of the strongest, kindest, most giving human beings I have ever known, and I am so thankful she is in my life.
As a mom, Mother’s Day is exciting and looked forward to, but as a daughter, it can be stressful! I never know what to get my mom, even though she is probably the easiest person to buy for because she is always happy with anything. BUT I need it to be PERFECT and the BEST gift she has ever gotten. Really, that is how I feel about any present I buy for anyone, so I put a ton of pressure on myself.
That can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Clearly, it’s bad to stress myself out for no good reason, but I think it is good in the sense that I really think about the person I am giving to. I wouldn’t buy the same thing for my mom as I would for a friend. They are different people with different likes and interests. I think that is the key to good gift-giving. Whether you buy a gift or make a gift, think about the unique individual you are giving it to and make it specific to them.
I have a list of ways to help save money on Mother’s Day, but that is not to say that every single idea would be great for the mother(s) on your list! For instance, I love getting flowers and would prefer you get them at the grocery store rather than spend a bunch of extra money at a boutique florist. However, I do not like knickknacks. I don’t like clutter, and stuff just lying around stresses me out. I would rather my kids and husband write me a heartfelt letter telling me what I mean to them over making me a craft that I feel bad for not keeping but can’t find a place for!
Think about the mom you are giving to—that is my absolute best advice. And honestly, one of the greatest things you can give your mom or wife is peace and relaxation! Don’t make her figure out everything for the day, like planning lunch, dinner, grocery shopping for the week, or managing the never-ending to-do list. My best Mother’s Days are the ones where I don’t have to do anything, my kids aren’t fighting, and my house is clean… AND I DIDN’T HAVE TO CLEAN IT!
Along with the blooming flowers and blazing sunshine comes the plans for celebrating. Our moms are always there for us, and now is when we show them how much we appreciate all they do. However, between flowers, gifts, and dining out, the costs can quickly add up. Fortunately, it’s easy to save big while celebrating Mom in style. Here’s how:
Frugal Flowers
Nothing says “I love you” like a vibrantly colored bouquet, but those beautiful blossoms can cost a bundle. Save on Mom’s flowers by doing a little bit of the presentation work yourself. Don’t rely on a florist to provide an expensive vase—bring a beautiful basket from home or pick up a cheap but pretty glassware piece at a local craft or thrift store.
Also, consider shopping the floral departments at your local grocery store before visiting a florist. Significant savings—like a gorgeous bouquet for a fraction of the price—can be found by skipping the high-end boutique delivery fees.
Gift It Right
Get creative! Most moms would love something personally crafted by you, like a beautifully framed photo of a shared memorable moment or a scrapbook of your best childhood memories. If the mom on your list loves music, write her a song or perform a sentimental, funny tune just for her.
As I mentioned before, simply writing a letter or a note telling her how much you appreciate her is priceless. Moms need to hear that! It’s good to know that our hard work and long days of providing for our families and making sure everyone else is taken care of do not go unnoticed.
If you’d rather purchase a physical gift, shop early so you don’t feel pressured into a last-minute buy you can’t afford. You can also utilize modern browser extensions and coupon tools like Honey, RetailMeNot, or Capital One Shopping to see if you can automatically snag a discount code at checkout.
Dining Out (or In) for Less
Of course, celebrating Mom’s special day isn’t complete without sharing a wonderful meal. But holiday restaurant crowds can be overwhelming and expensive. Why not rethink dining in? Maybe Mom would enjoy a peaceful, home-cooked meal more than a loud evening out. You can whip up her favorite dishes, set the table beautifully, and enjoy a delicious dinner at home. Or, throw together a family barbecue where someone else handles the grill and—most importantly—the cleanup!
If you’ve got your heart set on taking Mom out to an Abilene restaurant, shop around early for specific Mother’s Day brunch menus, and be sure to check local listings or discount tools like Groupon before making your formal reservations.
Plan Ahead
It’s never too early to start thinking about next year. Shop the post-Mother’s-Day clearance sections for fantastic, deep discounts on high-quality greeting cards, gift wrap, and specialty gift sets for the future.
It’s well worth the extra effort to save money on these seasonal expenses. After all, no one will be happier to see you keeping your budget on track than dear, sweet Mom!
