Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so if you’re still shopping around then you may want to skip the gift and take mom on a special trip instead. Spending time with your mom will mean a lot more to her than actually buying her something, so you might want to start thinking about places you can take mom. Thankfully, there’s quite a few budget friendly ideas you can try out for mom’s special day. These ten trips will work around your budget, while complementing mom’s personality, so she can treasure your gift for years to come.
1. Mani/Pedi Day
If mom loves to spend time at the spa, or to get pampered then a mani/pedi day might be the best way to celebrate your mom’s greatness. During this time, the two of you can catch up on all of your chatting, which is sure to make mom feel amazing. While you’re getting your nails done, you may want to consider a matching look that will remind your mom of the times you spent with her when you were growing up. Of course, if you don’t want to join mom on the special day then you can easily get her a gift certificate. If you’re really tight on your budget then you may want to consider hosting the special day in your own home. This is great for inviting the other women in the family and can make mom feel like you’ve gone to great lengths to make her special day stand out.
2. Brunch
Nothing says Mother’s Day like going for brunch with your mom. This trip will allow the two of you to catch up while you enjoy some of your favorite foods. If mom has a favorite restaurant, then make sure you put in a reservation in advance to ensure the two of you get a seat. Of course, you may also benefit from strolling around in your favorite area to see what kind of deals pop up. Often, certain restaurants will offer freebies for mom in order to lure in large groups who are celebrating the special day. Of course, you may also run into a restaurant that you may have never thought about trying. This is sure to make mom’s day and may even add a new venue to the list of places the two of you enjoy together. If you’re really trying to go the extra mile, then call up the restaurant ahead of time and arrange for a special brunch or dessert for your mom. You may even be able to get the restaurant to bring flowers or a special gift to mom if you can arrange it in advance.
3. Pottery Class
Let mom get in touch with her artistic side when you take her to a pottery class. If you’re planning a class for just the two of you then mom should have a blast working with the pottery wheel or learning to sculpt different types of clay. Of course, make sure the two of you find something to work on together, or at least sit in a nearby station so you can laugh and gossip while you work. If mom really isn’t that into crafting, then you may want to take her to a pottery shop that simply allows you to paint your piece of pottery. Generally, these places will have Mother’s Day specials, as well as specific gift ideas for mom. This is a great activity to take kids to as they can easily make something for your mom to make her Mother’s Day even more special. Not to mention, it will give you all plenty of time to share stories with each other, which will probably be the biggest gift of all.
4. High Tea
If brunch isn’t really mom’s thing, then spoil her with high tea. There’s lots of great tea shops opening up around the country, which might be a great way for you to help mom enjoy her British fantasies. Luckily, a lot of people want to indulge in high tea with their mom’s on mother’s day, so you may want to look around and see if there is going to be a tea party for the special occasion. This should help you save a bit of money as you’ll only have to pay a cover fee. Of course, you may want to talk mom into dressing up for the event, which is sure to help you have even more fun. If you can’t find a tea party going on then try to reserve a spot in a tea shop and pre-order the classic British style tea sets, if the shop allows you to pick a style. High tea doesn’t just have to take place in a shop though, you could always host your own tea party to make sure mom’s special day is loved by all.
5. Wine Tasting
A lot of moms out there can’t get enough of their favorite wines, so one way to create the perfect day for mom is to take her wine tasting. Of course, this trip may be better if there’s a larger group of you, so ask the siblings to join in. This will also allow you to split the costs of the trip, so you’ll save even more money. If you’re really being frugal then browse around for a groupon to ensure everyone keeps their spending down. You may also want to browse around for some tips to help you make the most out of your wine tasting adventures. If you’re planning on taking mom on a wine tour then check out travel deals and scope out reviews, so you’ll know what you’re dealing with it. With a lot of planning, this trip could easily become mom’s favorite Mother’s Day yet and will offer an adventure that the whole group will love.
6. Picnic
A more classic option for mom is to pack up a picnic and take her to a lovely park. Of course, this trip will take some planning as you’ll have to constantly monitor the weather to see if it is suitable for outdoor fun. If not, then you can easily pack an indoor picnic complete with games that mimic those you’d play outdoors. If the weather is cooperative, then make sure to pack up all of mom’s favorite dishes and a special dessert. If you’re making the trip a family affair, then ask others to chip in on the meals, so you can all enjoy the potluck prices. Of course, before you head out on the trip you should plan a few activities to ensure everyone, especially the children, are entertained. Also, if mom has any problems with sitting or walking then make sure to pack something to accommodate her needs. Don’t forget the camera either as nothing will make the trip more special than a bunch of photos to help your mom relive it whenever she is missing her family.
7. Retreat
If you’ve been missing out on a lot of mom’s time lately, then you may want to consider getting together for a retreat. This will help the two of you bond, while allowing you to strengthen your relationship. There’s a lot of retreats to choose from now-a-days as many people feel that their relationships are often strained by social media. Thus, you should be able to pick a retreat based on the activities or the way in which it will work to strengthen your body. If you want to get the whole family in on the fun, there’s also lots of family retreats that will help everyone take a step back from their needs. Apart from these retreats, you may also consider sending mom on a retreat that will benefit her. For instance, if mom is interested in creative writing then she may get a whole lot out of a retreat that will simply allow her to kick back and write to her heart’s content. There’s many retreats designed around hobbies, but there’s also retreats designed specifically for women to get away for a while, so they can finally find the time to relax.
8. Garden
A lot of moms are into seeing beautiful flowers, so instead of buying your mom a bouquet take her somewhere she can actually see a wide variety of flowers. If you have a botanical garden nearby then this might one of your best options as it is usually filled with exotic plants that will make mom happy. Some botanical gardens may even have discounts for mom, which will help save you a whole lot of money. If you don’t have a botanical garden nearby, then perhaps you can find a classic garden or a park that will offer mom the same floral experience. You may even want to check out local garden club members and marvel over their amazing plants. If all else fails, then you could always show up to your mom’s home with a few new plants to put into her own garden. As long as you spend the time with her, you should be able to make her feel exceptionally amazing on her special day.
9. Movies
A simple place to go with mom is to the theater. May is usually a period in time in which a lot of different movies are released, so you shouldn’t have a problem picking a movie or two that will make mom happy. Even if there isn’t anything on that makes mom thrilled to go, you may wind up watching a movie you would have otherwise never expected to see. This could be a great bonding experience that will also broaden both of your horizons. Of course, don’t forget to treat mom to her favorite candy and movie snacks. This aspect may cost more than the tickets, but if you use a rewards card or coupons then you should save some money on the trip. Also, consider going to the movies early, so you can get in for a lower price than matinee.
10. Community Events
If you haven’t planned out anything just yet, then you may want to look around to see what your community has to offer. Often, there will plenty of community events to choose from that will help you make Mother’s Day an occasion to remember, without forcing you to spend a small fortune. One of the more popular Mother’s Day activities tends to take place in churches. Often they will invite mothers to bring their children in and then hold contests to see who traveled the furthest and so on. So, if you’re visiting from quite a distance away, your mom may be able to enjoy one of these amazing prizes. Often, the churches host a potluck too, which will allow mom to get full while bonding with other mothers. Some parks will host events for Mother’s Day too. For instance, you may be able to get into a barbeque or a walk-a-thon for a good cause. Apart from that, may places in the community may give away free things, like meals, appetizers or flowers. If you’re not sure what will be happening during Mother’s Day then check out your community boards or ask around.
Mother’s Day is a great occasion to spend time with mom, so make sure you choose a trip that will make her feel loved. These ten ideas will help keep you on budget, without forcing you to cut the corners on your Mother’s Day gift. Before you know it, your mom is sure to be thanking you for all of the effort you put into her special day.
