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10 Ideas for Free Gifts for Mother's Day
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10 Ideas for Free and Fantastic Gifts for Mother's Day
by Nancy Magsig
Description: Free, creative Mother's Day gifts and activities that are sure to please any mom!
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Flowers, chocolates and a dinner out are all nice, but done to death and what if you can't afford them? Here are ten ideas that will make your mom's day and not break the bank.
1. Tell her! The most appreciated gift I ever gave my mom was the year I was flat broke and couldn't afford much of a gift. So I wrote a long letter (by hand, not computer) telling her of all the reasons I loved her, like the time she stayed up all night sewing the perfect prom dress. She cried over the letter and more than 20 years later when she passed away I found the letter in her wallet, where she'd carried it for all those years.
2. Give Her an Appreciation Jar. Another idea that takes a bit of time and thought but very little money is an Appreciation Jar. Buy a pretty glass jar along with several sheets of paper. Cut the paper into slips and on each one write down one reason you appreciate your mom. Try starting each one with "I appreciate you because..." Including a slip for every day will remind her all year of how much you love and appreciate her.
3. Organize the Family Photos. This idea is especially good for older moms. Most women have a box of old photos that they plan to organize, someday. Get some photo albums you think she'll like, along with pens and stickers for labeling and spend time with your mom, sorting the photos into albums. She'll love the time together and you may find the you receive the greatest gift of memories.
4. Create a Day at the Spa. Most moms treasure quiet moments and self-indulgence, since they're both usually in short supply. Start by creating a soothing atmosphere in your home, with quiet music, candles and perhaps some tea or wine. Set up a "mani-pedi" station and let her feet soak while giving her a manicure. Then, give her tootsies the luxury treatment as she leans back and relaxes. Add a soothing facial and while she rests under the facial mask, draw a hot tub in a bathroom filled with candles. Adding a snack and beverage is even better. While she's soaking in the tub, keep all interruptions at bay. We guarantee she'll thank you.
5. Wash the Car. If mom is the family chauffeur, her kid-mobile likely needs a good cleaning. On Mother's Day, give the car a good scrubbing inside and out, along with a promise to clean it the first Sunday of every month. No cost to you and you can keep all the petrified Cheerios you find.
6. Create a Family Menu. For most mom's I know, the challenge of coming up with dinner ideas is even more of a chore than the cooking. So, help her out and create a month of family friendly meal ideas. Better yet, assign cooking responsibility for each meal to a different family member, so mom gets a couple of day's off each week. She'll love it and you might get to explore some new dishes.
7. Clean the Garage. The garage tends to be the catch-all spot for everything that doesn't have a real home. It always amazes me to see a $30,000 car parked on the street because the garage is full of $300 worth of junk. Get mom's car back in the garage for her. Spend a day sorting and cleaning, then surprise her with the finished result. Don't be surprised if she cries!
8. Have a Treasure Hunt. Most women, mom's included, love romantic surprises. So why not surprise her with a treasure hunt that leads to a picnic? Just plan out a simple route and create clues and hide them along the way. Prepare a picnic basket and you're set. The picnic lunch can be as simple or elaborate as you'd like. Whether it's homemade, gourmet fare, or a bucket of chicken from the local fast-food spot, it really is the thought that counts. Mom will be touched at the time and effort you put into this.
9. Cookbook of Family Recipes. This is a terrific idea for new moms. Every family has favorite dishes that only mom knows how to make. Just ask other moms in the family for their favorite recipes. Put them together in a notebook and you'll have a gift that can be cherished by generations to come.
10. Spend Time Together Doing Something She Loves. Does you mom spent time at truck pulls with the family but would rather be wandering through an art gallery? On her special day, plan an outing to do what she loves, even if it's not necessarily tops on your list. There are free concerts, art galleries and gardens that are available to meet the taste of any mom. Who knows, you might find out you enjoy it too.
What make a Mother's Day present special isn't how much it cost. It's because it shows that you cared enough to be thinking of her and make an effort. Every mom I know treasures the misshapen clay ashtray made by loving hands more than a $200 flower arrangement sent by a child who didn't take the time to be there in person. Take the time to tell your mom you love her. It really is the thought, not the money, that counts.
Nancy Magsig is Co-Founder and COO of Here's To Good Women, Inc. The website, http://www.HeresToGoodWomen.com is dedicated to providing inspiration, ideas and gifts to help women celebrate every day.
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