Ways to Honor Your Mother on Mother’s Day (and every day) without Breaking the Bank.

Photo by Sai De Silva on Unsplash

Mother’s Day is one of the best holidays of the year for moms but for some of our children trying to find the perfect gift can be overwhelming and expensive. Whether you’re just leaving the nest or just dealing with hard times, you can still honor your beautiful Mom without all the costly commercial trappings.


Clean for Mom! As a mom, I can tell you that I always feel like I need to clean something — whether it’s the bathroom, the kitchen, or a bedroom — there is always something that needs to be cleaned or touched up. If you’re low on funds or just on a budget, take the time to clean for your mom. This can be an amazing gift that shows your mom that you are paying attention and that you understand the value of what she does for your family. From the kitchen to the bathrooms, the bedroom, and everything in between, every mom wants a sparkling home and to not have to do it all would be a dream for many moms. So, pick up a mop, bucket, sponge, and gloves and clean for your mom. I’m sure she’ll not only appreciate it, but it will be a welcome gift for her.

​Watch a movie with your mom at home. Is your mom a movie person? Is there a movie she loves to watch over and over again? If you’ve been busy with life and haven’t had a chance to spend quality time with your mom. Why not, grab a bucket of popcorn, your mom’s favorite drink and invite her to an in-home screening of her favorite film with you as her plus one? This will allow your mom to get some quality time with you while doing something she enjoys.

Take your mom on a virtual coffee or dinner date. If you don’t live close enough for an in-person visit with your mom, it can be difficult to spend quality time with your mom, but thankfully technology can assist! Use Facetime, Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype to schedule a virtual coffee or dinner date with your mom. Share with her all that’s been happening with you and listen to what’s been happening with her. Even though you may not physically be in the same space, spending time with Mom using technology can be a welcome gift for her.

Take a drive with Mom and be tourists in your own city (or one nearby). One of the things my son and I did when he was little was explore our city as if we were tourists. We’d walk around our neighborhood finding new ways to get to the places we frequented. What I learned is that so often we get into a routine and often we miss the beauty of our cities or nearby neighborhoods. Why not take your mom out for a drive in your city or a nearby city and explore the area as if you are both tourists? Check out the beautiful things you miss rushing during the week — the architecture, the flowers, the new shops and stores, and even new construction. Stop by local free museums, local parks, or even a local lake. Get out and take a walk and maybe have a picnic. Mother’s Day is all about honoring Mom and what better way than to spend time together?

Make Mom’s favorite meal or have it delivered (if you can’t cook). One way to show Mom you care without breaking the budget is to cook her a beautiful meal with ingredients you have at home. If you struggle with cooking, ask a friend or family member who has the skills to help you make a great meal. Plate it nicely as if you’re presenting it to Gordon Ramsey and serve Mom a great meal. When you’re done, don’t forget to clean the kitchen and leave it sparkling!

Write your mom a letter. Every mom wants to know she is appreciated and that she matters. Sometimes, it’s not about the gifts she receives but the love she feels. Writing your mom, a letter expressing how much she means to you can be just as effective and powerful as buying her flowers or jewelry. Be sure to tell her how much you appreciate the things she did for you and how she supported you. If writing isn’t your speed, make a checklist of the things you love about her and present it to her. This is all about acknowledging your mom and honoring how important she is to you.

​Make her something special. You don’t have to be a kid to make your mom something for Mother’s Day. If you have any crafting skills like knitting or jewelry making, you can take those skills and make something fabulous for your mom. Good moms deserve to be honored, but when you lack the means, it can be difficult. These 7 tips give you inexpensive ways to honor your mom and her many sacrifices. Remember that Sunday is Mom’s Day, and your mom deserves the best.