Mother’s Day is a time when we reflect on what our mothers mean to us. For those of us whose mothers are still with us on this earthly plain, we celebrate the day with fun activities for the whole family. It is also a time when people whose mothers have left us, reflect and remember the times that they were here with us. Here is a list of some Mother’s Day activities that will keep you busy and that you can do on a budget.
Take Mom to the Movies or… Enjoy a Movie Night at Home – Treat mom on Mother’s Day to a movie of her choice. Chances are that she does not often go to the show or indulge in this treat. Be creative and try to find out what latest release she is secretly dying to see and then surprise her. Don’t have the budget for that? Enjoy a movie at home in style. Decide on a movie, get some great movie snacks (try to find similar choices as you would get at the movie theater, like microwave popcorn, packets of candy or hot dogs) and have a movie night at home. Make sure mom is nice and comfy and have a chat for a few minutes before you start the movie. Just like you would do in the theater. After the movie, take a nice walk around the block and chat about your favorite parts of the movie.
Go to a Restaurant or… Make Mom Brunch – Take Mom out for dinner at a nice restaurant. This of course does not mean to take her to one that will leave you broke, but make sure that it is something more than a fast food joint. She probably is the one who prepares most, if not all meals in the home and a break from cooking will certainly be welcomed. If you find yourself short of cash, consider making Mom brunch. It really is one of the least expensive meals to make and with just a little time in the kitchen, you can create a wonderful tasty brunch. Need an idea? Try Imperfect Women’s Stuffed French Toast – Night Before Recipe or our Breakfast Lasangna! Your Mom might also enjoy our easy and simple Crepes or for a little fancier brunch, our Easy Potato and Dill Frittata. So many great choices!
Take Her to a Spa or…Try These DIY Spa Tricks – Mom’s do not often pamper themselves. If you can afford to take her to a spa for a facial and pedicure, hats off to you. Moms are special and a spa will make her feel like the queen that she is. Can’t afford a professional spa? There are some DIY at home spa tricks that can still make Mom feel like a queen.
- You can buy some inexpensive coconut oil and give mom a deep conditioned hair treatment. Coconut oil provides shine and helps penetrate the hair to make it stronger.
- Make an exfoliate with a sugary scrub for Mom. Try mixing 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup raw oatmeal and 1 cup olive oil together and messaging on Mom’s dry skin in slow circles. Take your time so Mom can get the whole wonderful sweet experience and then have her step into a warm shower to rinse off.
- Rub Mom’s elbows and knees with lemon juice to gently remove any rough spots.
- Buy a few inexpensive essential oils and spray into a hot steamy shower and on the wash cloth that Mom will use in the shower. It is a great way to de-stress.
Buy Her Some Flowers or… Plant a Small Flower Garden – Buy your mom some flowers for Mother’s Day. I am sure that she will enjoy them. They do not have to be the top of the line, but a bouquet of flowers that you think she would like. If you don’t have the budget for flowers, buy some seeds and plant your own small Mother’s Day garden in a special place in Mom’s yard. This is a gift that can keep on giving all summer long and one that can give you a special connection with your mother for the whole growing season.
Planting a small flower garden is also a great gift to give to yourself and to your Mom that is no longer here on this earthly plain. It will be a special place where you can go and connect with your Mom and remember great memories that you have of your time together.
Make Her a Card – Mother’s Day cards are cute, but can be rather expensive. Get creative and make her a card that she will treasure. If you are not that creative, make sure to personalize the card by adding in a note that tells her what she means to you and why she is so special.
These are just a few activities that you could do with your mother this Mother’s Day. She will surely be surprised and thankful.
How will you be celebrating Mother’s Day?
Pam Buttikofer is a co-founder of Imperfect Women. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband of 36 years and enjoys spending time with her husband, sons and her lovable pups.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
May 5, 2014 at 9:47 amMy boys are always good about making me cards. I don’t think we have much planned for Mother’s Day this year, but maybe a picnic?
Amanda Ripsam says
May 5, 2014 at 11:48 amI do have spa list on my wish list but it would mean a lot more if the kids hosted a stay at home spa. Means more time with the kids.
Touristmeetstraveler says
May 5, 2014 at 12:26 pmWhat a great guide to Mother’s Day activities!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
May 5, 2014 at 1:14 pmGreat ideas! We will be taking my mom to dinner on Saturday, and then having lunch with my hubby’s family on Sunday!
Amanda @ Erickson & Co. says
May 5, 2014 at 2:35 pmGreat ideas! But buying flowers is not very budget friendly.
Rosey says
May 5, 2014 at 2:37 pmWe go to my MILs house and give her a gift and dinner out (or sometimes in at our place). My mom lives in another state, so we send homemade cards from the kiddos, and a gift I know she’ll like from me. 🙂
Pam says
May 5, 2014 at 2:44 pmGreat ideas! Making brunch for mom at home seems like a sweet and personal but also cost-effective way to celebrate! Plus you don’t have to wait for a table, or drive anywhere!
Triplezmom says
May 5, 2014 at 4:25 pmWe’ll be making dinner for my mom and sending videos and skyping with my MIL. . .Mother’s Day isn’t really about me at this point.
Amy Desrosiers says
May 5, 2014 at 6:10 pmI will be celebrating Mother’s Day with my kids and husband!
Amber Edwards says
May 5, 2014 at 6:39 pmThese are fantastic ideas for Mother’s Day! I seriously love the Brunch and spa ideas.
Tough Cookie Mommy says
May 5, 2014 at 6:49 pmI’m going to bookmark this post so my husband can read it. I always tell him that I appreciate the little things more than anything else on these holidays.
Theresa says
May 5, 2014 at 8:10 pmI would love for my family to clean the house for a change. Waking up to a spotless house on a Sunday morning would be pure heaven for me. Otherwise, I’ll take the go out to the movies option 😉
Curby Aardvark says
May 5, 2014 at 8:16 pmI think I’ll take my mother out for dinner to her favorite place, it’s the least I can do. 😀
Grandma Bonnie says
May 5, 2014 at 8:22 pmThose are some wonderful ideas for Mothers day. I am taking a special trip with my grandsons for Mothers day.
lawna says
May 5, 2014 at 8:51 pmI am so behind this week. Until earlier I kept thinking mothers day was next month for some reason. All of my siblings are going to get together and surprise our mom on Mother’s Day. I think I may buy her some flowers and my hub is gunna make her a cake since he is the baker in our family.
Jennifer Williams says
May 5, 2014 at 8:57 pmMy youngest made me a card and is going to pick some of the flowers in the yard. That is going to be one of my favorite gifts. Of course the spa treatments or breakfast in bed would be great too.
Mommy2Jam says
May 5, 2014 at 10:26 pmI really like these ideas. I am all about saving money too!
Aisha Kristine Chong says
May 6, 2014 at 4:45 amCards are always the best – personalized and from the heart!
Veronica Lee says
May 6, 2014 at 5:59 amI’ll take her out for lunch at her fave restaurant. I baked her some cookies too!
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
May 6, 2014 at 6:01 amMy husband asked me what I want to do for Mother’s Day, and I think the question is hard – I have no idea! I kinda want to just wake up and see where the day goes, without having to plan it for a change. 🙂
Alice C says
May 6, 2014 at 6:52 amI really just want to enjoy the day with my family but I did ask for a new pair of shoes for cross training 😉
Liz Mays says
May 6, 2014 at 8:40 amI’m totally backing the spa idea. I just love that! I also like dining out for Mother’s Day. It’s the busiest restaurant day of the year actually.
Rachee says
May 6, 2014 at 10:20 amThese are really good ideas! They are inexpensive without being cheap.
Melanie says
May 6, 2014 at 11:05 amI should forward this to a certain someone so they know what they can do for mother’s day. lol Thanks for the ideas
Annie Mai says
May 6, 2014 at 1:52 pmI absolutely love brunch & my mom loves trying new foods! Great idea 🙂
Toni says
May 6, 2014 at 7:21 pmThanks for these tips. I am all about budget friendly fun
DENISE SMITH says
May 6, 2014 at 8:19 pmmy mom passed away this passed dec. so i will be bring her flowers , my mom inlaw we will be taking her out to eat this year
Dawn says
May 6, 2014 at 10:51 pmI like the idea of the small flower garden! Then every time you look at it you could remember the fabulous Mother’s Day. 🙂
Amanda Her says
May 7, 2014 at 5:38 amBrunches at a restaurant can be so expensive. I love the idea of everyone pitching in to make it at home.
Marni | Love and Duck Fat says
May 7, 2014 at 7:23 amI would love a homemade breakfast for Mother’s Day and a card. It’s the little things.
Ashley Gill says
May 7, 2014 at 12:58 pmMy husband and I are going to take a trip to NYC!!! I’m so excited! We were planning to go already, but to make it an extra special day for me, we decided to head there for the day!
Amanda Love says
May 7, 2014 at 5:52 pmI love going to the spa. It’s one of the highlights of me having Mothers Day on either my birthday or very close to it. Great suggestions!
Sarah Elyce says
May 8, 2014 at 10:27 amOne thing I have learned throughout life is that gifts do that have to be expensive to be cherished. Even time together to celebrate something is appreciated enough by many close friends and family members.
Lynn C says
May 10, 2014 at 3:49 amThese are some very good ideas. It’s often time or thoughtfulness more than expensive gifts that people remember, especially moms!
snickers says
May 10, 2014 at 8:54 amHope everyone has a great Mother’s Day! This is one day of the year, I do what I want, no major plans, gardening and grilling has become a favorite here. Am planning a small afternoon trip for some fun, and I stop and look at all the garden centers when traveling. On my way home, I will stop at the cancer ward at our local hospital and deliver roses to patients.
IW ladies, enjoy your day!
Pam@IW says
May 10, 2014 at 1:41 pmHave a wonderful Mother’s Day, Snickers. Hope you have a lovely day!
Kyla P says
May 12, 2014 at 1:43 pmI like this post 🙂 I like the idea of an in home movie and spa night with some home-made snacks or appetizers. yum!