Cheap Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Normally eating out wouldn't qualify as a cheap gift idea, but on Mother's Day, it does. Locate a restaurant that offers a ​free meal for Mom on Mother's Day, and you can treat her to a tasty meal without running up a big tab.

Dig through your recent family photos until you've found a real stand-out. Then, take the negative to a photo processing center, and order an enlargement. For a few dollars you'll have a frame-ready family portrait.

Every frugal Mom has things that she loves, but is too cheap to buy—maybe it's a certain brand of shampoo, the good chocolate or a favorite magazine. Figure out what your Mom has been denying herself, and then buy it for her.

Cut flowers are nice, but they don't last very long. For a gift with longer-lasting appeal, choose a flowering perennial for her garden instead—she'll enjoy your gift this Mother's Day and every one thereafter. For an even cheaper take on this idea, just place a packet of seeds inside a card, and schedule a time to help her plant them.

Use stamps.com to create photo stamps for Mom. It's as simple as uploading a special photo—wedding picture, baby picture, etc.—and placing an order. You'll spend a bit more than you would for normal stamps, but you're sure to put a smile on Mom's face every time she mails a letter.

Give Mom a break from her day-to-day life by taking her on a special outing. Research free events in your area—concerts, plays, museum tours, etc.—and then pick the one that's most in line with Mom's interests. For a truly special gift, tell her she's signed up for the Adventure of the Month Club. Then, make good on your gift by taking her on a free adventure every month for a year.