March 9th, 2023 by Sarah Miles

The premise of showing our mums some appreciation and making her feel special for the day is not something many would argue with but thinking of new ideas that aren’t flower or chocolate-related can be difficult when you want to get something thoughtful but not necessarily expensive.

We have some suggestions here that can suit a range of budgets but also demonstrate some thought and attention that your mum will really appreciate.

A promise of a trip out

What mums mostly want more than an expensive gift is to spend some time with you. Arranging a trip somewhere together could, therefore, be a wonderful present. Perhaps look for a show or event you think she’ll like or book a spa day or afternoon tea. If that’s outside your budget, look for things going on that are low-cost or free such as events at a local museum or gallery. It could even be as simple as a walk in the park and a stop for coffee and cake or a visit to somewhere that holds memories, such as the seaside.

Restaurants and cafes do get booked up for Mother’s Day and the prices can be inflated so instead of going somewhere on this day, you could book something for a later date and give this as a voucher/card.

Spark a new interest

Is there something your mum has always wanted to do? Take up art or pottery, sing in a choir, or learn a foreign language? Why not look for a workshop or class or go along to an introduction session with her? Alternatively, buy something that she could start at home such as a craft kit or ‘how to’ book or sign her up for an online course. It could just give her a nudge to do something she’s always been interested in and never got around to doing.

Something to help her relax

Mums are often really busy, making it hard to relax and wind down. A gift that can help her do this could, therefore, be very well received and do more for her health and well-being than any box of chocolates! How about some aromatherapy-scented candles or a subscription to a mindfulness app? If she struggles to sleep well, how about an electric blanket? They can really aid sleep and even soothe aches and pains as heat is a natural pain killer and anti-inflammatory. If she has specific areas of pain, a heating pad can offer targeted relief, such as a heated foot warmer or cushion.

Homefront Luxurious Electric Heated Cushion

Price: £34.99

Buy Now

A ‘memory’ gift

There are few things that mums love more than reminiscing so why not create something based on things you’ve done together or events from your childhood? Maybe make a photo album (an ‘old school’ manual one or a printed photo book)? How about creating a playlist of some favourite songs or recreating a meal from a holiday or similar? You could even get creative and reproduce an old favourite photo with other family members or make a memory box. This doesn’t have to cost a lot (many of these things you can do from items you already have) but the value to her will be priceless.

Make a meal

We’ll warrant your mum has cooked many more meals for you than you have for her. Going out for dinner to a restaurant is nice but there is something special about a homecooked meal. Especially if it’s an old favourite or perhaps something that reminds you both of a happy time (eg something eaten on holiday or the meal you always had after swimming lessons or on a Saturday after the football or whatever it may be, relating to your family). It doesn’t have to be hugely labour-intensive either. Many supermarkets have pre-prepared versions of most favourites or the meal boxes such as Hello Fresh or Gousto where everything is measured out and you have step-by-step instructions that make things pretty easy and give great results.

Something Practical

If your Mother is a more practical person and giving them a gift that they can make regular use of will make them happy then why not consider something like a Clothes Airer, while it might not seem like a particularly lavish gift for those who value practicality it is a great choice, not only will she be able to make regular use of it but they are also a fantastic way to help save on energy bills which is something many of us are conscious of these days. Or if your mother is an avid cook and loves to have the family over for large get-togethers then how about a buffet server? They are the perfect way to keep food warm for up to 3 hours and are perfect for those large family gatherings.

Homefront Stainless Steel Buffet Server 10L

Price: £64.99

Buy Now