Haven’t Bought A Mother’s Day Gift Yet? Don’t Get One!!

Posted on 07. May, 2010 by in General, Saving Money & Finances

Dont get your mother a giftJust in case you didn’t realize, it’s Mothering Sunday this coming Sunday!

Have you got your Mother’s Day gift yet?…. Well I suggest that maybe you consider not actually buying anything… Mother’s Day is about showing Love not money so who cares if you don’t buy anything? Many readers here are in debt or trying to live very frugally so why cut into the budget for the sake of an object. I suggest you do something else for your lovely Mum (or Mom as you say in USA!).

Alternatives to spending on Mother’s Day…

I am not suggesting for one minute that you simply do nothing for your dear Mother… In fact quite the opposite, show your Mother some love and clear some time in your schedule to do something that costs nothing, or very very little.

Here are just a few quick suggestions.

  • Make a card: You can use some photos you have, flowers from the garden or anything laying around, just be creative. My UK Mothers day was last month and I actually sent an eCard using an original design that I created from my own photo and some nice text that I overlaid. My Mum really liked it!
  • Do some manual labour: What has your Mother been needing done around the house? Maybe she needs the grass cut, a faucet fixed or a room repainted…. Offer your services, this may save her some money or save your even save your Dad from having to do it.
  • Take her to a place she loves: Think about places (that are free, obviously) that your Mum loves, maybe somewhere she used to take you as a kid, and take her there. Pack a picnic and make a whole day of it if you can.
  • Cook a big meal: I know this has some expense but you may already have many of the ingredients at home. Maybe even get the other siblings, if any, involved and make a big family feast. In experience Mum’s love seeing the whole family together.
  • Pick some wild flowers: Go on a little hunt in local woodland and hedgerow to find some nice flowers to arrange into a bunch…. Be nice when you do this and pick conservatively. Also check online and find out if any plants are protected and illegal to pick before doing this!

Basically I think all of these ideas would be more than appreciated by most Mum’s, especially if she is aware that there are reasons why you are not spending the cash. They brought you up and now you may have kids of your own so they understand the struggles that life brings.

I would love to know what you are doing for your Mum this Sunday.

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Oh…. If you are a Mother, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

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18 Responses to “Haven’t Bought A Mother’s Day Gift Yet? Don’t Get One!!”

  1. Red

    07. May, 2010

    Great points! My mom has always most appreciated gifts that came from the heart. A heartfelt letter, a photo of us in a picture frame, things that cost very little or nothing. And especailly this year, my mom has already told me she doesn’t want me to spend anything for Mother’s Day because D and I are saving for a house. I’ll be on my honeymoon on mother’s day, but I plan to make her a card and write a letter to go along with it. :)
    .-= Red´s last blog ..Day 28/29/30/31 of 30: I suck at math =-.

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    • Forest

      07. May, 2010

      Hey Red, Exactly…. it’s the love that counts…. If you are a millionaire, sure buy your mum an iPad but make sure that card is handmade!

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  2. Mrs. Accountability

    07. May, 2010

    Years ago, I took a piece of paper and wrote down 100 thank you notes to my mom. I folded them all up, and put them into a jar and decorated the jar. She still cherishes that jar of love notes. I asked my son with Down Syndrome if he will draw me a picture for Mother’s Day and he said he would be happy to do that for me. “Sure, mom!” :-) Thanks for the Mother’s Day wish!

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    • Forest

      07. May, 2010

      I am so glad people are getting this post and not getting mad at me for suggesting they don’t buy their mum gifts :) ….. The notes in a jar is priceless and I am sure your picture will be cherished forever too :)

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  3. Ruth - Web Career Girl

    07. May, 2010

    Lol @ your last comment, because I have met a lot of men (sorry to generalise) that don’t seem to want to do anything for them mum for mothers day. But there’s a huge difference between not “buying” a gift but still doing something special, and not buying anything at all. I think a lot of mums will appreciate the special effort. It’s already been mothers day this year in the UK – I only bought my mum a small gift but I did travel back to visit her and I could tell that made her day.
    .-= Ruth – Web Career Girl´s last blog ..My Method for Getting New Sites Ranked =-.

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    • Forest

      08. May, 2010

      Ha ha, I just think money is the least important things on such days…. Hallmark push more and more of these …. days on us every year and it’s fine to celebrate people but best to stay out of the commercialism it breeds.

      Yeah I sent my mum a personal made eCard and called here, couldn’t make it back sadly. Traveling back would have been a very nice gesture from me.

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  4. Ryan Martin

    07. May, 2010

    This is really good; thanks for the reminder. As frugal as I am, I even tend to lose focus on Mothers Day. It’s easy to get sucked into the consumerism of it all… cheers.

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    • Forest

      08. May, 2010

      Thanks Ryan, yeah it is very easy to get sucked in because people make you feel bad about it :(

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  5. simple in france

    08. May, 2010

    I wish I were closer to home right now! I just did something decidedly un-frugal and had flowers shipped last minute! But when you’re living in another country, it’s hard to show up on the doorstep with wildflowers.

    Although I do like the ideas for those close to home. What I need to do next year is 1–remember in ADVANCE 2–take my time and think of a more creative solution. . .
    .-= simple in france´s last blog ..Do you need a financial makeover? =-.

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    • Forest

      08. May, 2010

      Yes, planning is key….. But at the end of the day you did it to show love and that is the most important aspect.

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  6. Mike Roosa

    08. May, 2010

    I plan on cooking my mom a nice dinner and maybe something small for a gift. We are not card people so that’s an easy one. We always have the kids make cards. Haven’t bought one in a long time.
    .-= Mike Roosa´s last blog ..Don’t Obsess Over Stats =-.

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    • Forest

      08. May, 2010

      That’s always a sure bet…. I LOVE being cooked for :)

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  7. Money Funk

    08. May, 2010

    Congrats on the Plutus Awards!

    I think you can never go wrong with cooking a meal (unless you suck at cooking).

    I bought my mom concert tickets for tonight for a women’s celtic group, Celtic Woman. She’s tres excited to be going.
    .-= Money Funk´s last blog ..Would you take a Lottery Lump Sum Payout? =-.

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    • Forest

      08. May, 2010

      He he, thanks for the congrats but sadly that isn’t me….. There is another frugal zeitgeist that is a blogspot, she has a good blog http://frugalzeitgeist.blogspot.com. Sadly I discovered hers after I had well established my site.

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  8. Financial Samurai

    08. May, 2010

    I just wrote a post dedicated to my mom :) She laughed and liked it.
    .-= Financial Samurai´s last blog ..The White Cloud of Happiness =-.

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    • Forest

      08. May, 2010

      Excellent thought Sam…. I tried getting my Mum to read my blog but failed :) …. I’ll read the post in the morning.

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  9. Roshawn @ Watson Inc

    10. May, 2010

    I think that this is a great reminder to focus on things/gifts that really matter. It is so easy to allow consumerism to dilute the real meaning of holidays.
    .-= Roshawn @ Watson Inc´s last blog ..8 Questions for the Constantly Broke =-.

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    • Forest

      11. May, 2010

      Hey Roshawn, thanks for dropping a comment…. you have to be careful of consumerism sneaking up on you :)

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