Thoughtful and Inexpensive Mother's Day Gifts
Unique Presents that Moms Love for Under $20
Apr 13, 2009
Mothers really don't care about the price tag on their gift at Mother's Day. They just want something that comes from the heart. At a loss for ideas that aren't expensive or corny? These suggestions will make your mom's big day the best one ever.
Tile Picture
Though they look like pictures printed on actual tile when they're finished, these tileboard pictures are just particle board, decoupage, and paper. The materials are available at craft stores for under $20. Cut your picture into squares, glue onto the tileboard, and coat with a pour-on gloss like Envirotex. Great tileboard pictures are family pictures, mom with you as a baby, a familiar landscape, or even a sketch that you have drawn.
Interview with Her Parents
Chances are that your mom's parents are getting on in years by now, and mom is beginning to realize that they won't be around forever. Why not surprise her with a recorded video interview with her parents? Take an hour to visit her parents. Set up a camcorder and ask her parents questions about how they met, their early family life, and what your mom was like as a child. This will be a priceless memory your mom holds on to forever.
Unique Framed Photo
Pair a special photograph with a personalized picture frame. You can get an unpainted frame from your local craft store and decorate it or you can buy a plain frame at the dollar store and decoupage it with sentimental materials – anything from tissue paper to sheet music with the lyrics to mom's favorite song. The cost for this gift can be as little as $5.
Memory Jar
Mom will love a hand-decorated mason jar filled with scraps of paper listing the memories you two have shared, and your only expense is the cost of the jar. Brainstorm all the things you have done with your mom, from your earliest childhood memory to the most recent conversation you had together. Include inside jokes, family memories, and funny stories. Make sure that you start working on this gift at least a few weeks in advance of Mother's Day, so that as you remember more events you can add them to the jar.
Personalized Photo Book
It's easy and quick to make a great-looking digital photo book with online photo stores like Snapfish and Shutterfly for under $15. These books also allow you to include text alongside the pictures. Possible themes for a Mother's Day photo book are:
- a trip the two of you took together
- the two of you throughout the years
- family photos, if you've grown and had a family of your own
- photos and memories of all her children and grandchildren collected into one book. If you have siblings, collaborate with them.
Display Tile with Vinyl Lettering
Many online stores sell vinyl lettering with an appropriate motherhood quote like "God can't be everywhere, so he made mothers." Some stores even let you create your own saying. Buy a flooring tile from a home improvement store (often you can get a single tile for $1) and apply the lettering. Vinyl lettering is like a clear sticker, so it will appear that you've gotten the words printed right on the tile when you're done. Include a nice plate stand to display the tile on a tabletop or mantle. Your total cost should be under $20.
Don't expect Mom to give you suggestions for a Mother's Day gift. Surprise her with something completely unique and heartfelt this year. Remember that you don't have to spend a lot of money to give her a great gift on Mother's Day.
Readers might also enjoy "Homemade Father's Day Gifts for Kids."
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