For those celebrating, Happy Mother’s Day. If you’re running a little behind this year, there are plenty of affordable ways to show mom and the other special women in your life just how much you care without breaking the bank. Let’s be clear, you shouldn’t be cheap when it comes to expressing your affection. Instead be thoughtful and intentional with these unique ideas and Mother’s Day Gift Card deals.
Gift Card Deals
A gift card is always a good choice in my book! Just be sure to include a thoughtful handwritten note or card along with it. If you’re looking to stretch your dollars further, you can find a few offerings for gift cards for under face value.
- Costco often carries local gift cards for less than what they’re worth. When I last shopped there, I found Cake Bake gift cards $100 for $79.99. Our location also had Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Crew Carwash, and other national chains.
- Sam’s Club carries a wide variety of gift cards from Disney to DSW and a number of restaurants, too. The majority come in at least a dollar or two under purchase price.
- Many restaurants are offering gift card bonuses, too. If you purchase gift cards at the location or online you may also get an additional $5 or $10 in addition to a specified amount – usually $25 or $50. A few of the restaurants offering these types of deals between now and Father’s Day include:
Carry Out Lunch or Brunch
If you waited until the last minute or aren’t dining out yet, carryout lunch is a great idea to take one thing off mom’s plate and add something yummy instead. Plenty of restaurants still have bundles that offer a larger amount of food at a discount price. You’ll save on overall price, rather than ordering individual entrees. Just be sure to get mom’s favorite and have everyone else make do. I see great family offerings at Bob Evan’s, Cracker Barrel, and Metro Diner. By the way, if you can pair one of those gift card deals with a family meal deal, you’ll sweeten the deal further.
Nap Time
If mom didn’t get to sleep in this morning, it’s a good idea to help her have a nice Mother’s Day nap. Prepare a space for her with clean blankets and a quiet atmosphere. While she sleeps, tackle some of the household tasks she normally handles for the family. Bonus points if you snag some comfy loungewear and wash it up for her to wear before naptime.
Support Her Passions
Many moms have passions that bring joy. Maybe it’s creating beautiful art. Or perhaps it’s going for a run. Some moms are book worms. Others love movies. Today, there’s time and space to let her spend an hour or so doing something she loves. If your mom is anything like me, it takes a lot of encouragement to do something I love even if it doesn’t cost anything. So be her #1 cheerleader today to pursue those things that fill her cup. Again, while she’s busy soaking up that time, run an errand or two or handle those less fun tasks she regularly does.
Plant Flowers
Consider giving mom flowers that will last more than a week or so. Purchase some affordable perennials at a local nursery or big box home improvement retailer. Spend time pulling weeds and helping mom plant those lovely flowers that will return year after year, reminding her just how much you love her. If the weather doesn’t cooperate on Mother’s Day, begin making a plan for a later planting celebration.
Cereal Dinner
No, I’m not saying you should fix your mom cold cereal for dinner this year (unless that’s something she’d like). Instead, let everyone in your family pick out a box of their favorite to “make” their own dinner tonight. Pick out mom’s favorite carryout for her. Not only will you spoil her with a favorite, everyone else is set for the week for breakfast, too.
Give Your Words
In the end, as humans, we want to know that what we do matters. This is incredibly important for moms. Your mom will love being spoiled, but saying thank you and writing a letter of gratitude might mean even more. And believe it or not, both of those don’t cost a cent. Spend a few minutes on the phone or FaceTime. Write an email or a letter. And deliver those words intentionally.
It’s not too late and you don’t have to overspend. Make the most of every penny and tell mom how much you care!
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
