10 Perfect Mother’s Day Gifts That Are Cheap or Free

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift can be tough, but with the right ideas, it can be a breeze. Take your mom on a retreat, to a concert or even stick to the basic card and flowers. No matter what, quality family time is the best Mother’s Day gift.

Here are a few ideas to consider for your Mother’s Day gift options:

01. Take an exotic vacation

Even if you can’t afford a trip to Paris, you can still enjoy a little bit of French culture. Have croissants for breakfast, pack a picnic lunch of French bread, cheese, and fruit, or order a meal from your favorite deli or restaurant (cheese ‘n crackers, anyone?). Make it a chill night, put on some French music and decorate your kitchen or dining room table with a red-and-white-checkered tablecloth and fresh flowers. Teach the kids some basic French words like “bonjour” (good morning) and “merci” (thank you).

02. Go through old family photos and home videos

Sharing memories is a great way to bond as a family. Take a trip down memory lane by asking Grandma or Grandpa to pull out old photos and movies of you as a child. Your kids will get a kick out of seeing your fashion choices, as well as how you were once a baby, toddler, or teen, just like they are now.

03. Create a family comic strip

Start a new tradition by drawing a family comic strip. Take a long sheet of paper, draw three or four large squares next to one another like a newspaper comic strip. Think of an event, celebration or funny moment that happened this past year and illustrate it with markers, crayons or paints. Include dialogue, a date, and a title, such as “Life with the Smiths.” Older children can help with the drawing and writing, while younger kids can dictate their thoughts or help color. Save your comic strip and create another one next year and in the years to come.

04. Stage a “lip-sync” contest.

Nothing brightens up a family celebration quite like music. Choose a favorite song from a CD, tape or video that you own, and have each family member lip-sync the words to the song, doing his or her best to mimic the performer. Other family members can rate the performance from one (not at all like the performer) to five (exactly like the performer), and write down their score on a card. The person with the highest score wins the contest. Even the youngest family member can participate by pretending to be a favorite character, like Barney, singing the “I Love You” song.

05. Need some alone time?

At some point on Mother’s Day, you may want some time alone or a chance for a little rest and relaxation. Make sure you get what you need by asking for it in advance. For instance, a few days before Mother’s Day, give your husband and kids a list of five things to do. The list could include: An hour alone to call a friend or soak in the tub; a chance to sleep in until 9 a.m.; a manicure at your favorite nail salon, or no sibling squabbles for an hour. Have your partner and kids make up coupons with each of these services and be sure to redeem them throughout Mother’s Day weekend.

06. Go on a bug safari

Now that spring is here, why not gather your family for a bug safari? Get an insect field guide to identify creepy, crawly creatures, a magnifying glass to inspect them closely, and a field to explore (this could be your own backyard or a local park). Tell the kids some fun facts about bugs to feed their curiosity.

More fun and creative ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day with your family:

07. Plant flowers in your garden and create a picture or message for Mom using the flower seeds. Your artwork will grow and bloom, creating a beautiful and personalized Mother’s Day gift.

08. Make a “lasting impression” by having everyone in the family dip their hands and feet in colorful, nontoxic paint and leave their prints on a large sheet of paper. Label each print with the person’s name, date, and a special message for Mom.

09. Take some downtime on Mother’s Day and read a children’s book with your kids. Choose a book that’s perfect for the day, such as The Mother’s Day Mice or Clifford’s Happy Mother’s Day, or select one of your own childhood favorites to share with your family.

10. Schedule time to tell stories throughout the day. Create a silly schedule with fun stories for Mom, with hugs and kisses, to make it a fun-filled Mother’s Day!

No matter how you choose to celebrate, make sure to show mom how much you love and appreciate her on Mother’s Day!