Mother’s Day is this Sunday (you did buy a card, right?), and I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to freak out a little bit about what to get my mom. If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll know I just spent a little over $3000 on airfare so my family could make it to my grandmother’s funeral last week. Needless to say, I’m a little strapped for cash heading into this holiday.

Long ago, I made a decision to stop buying flowers online for my mother because of the ridiculous prices and shoddy service. So what’s a broke guy to do when it comes to Mother’s Day? Here’s a few cheap Mother’s Days gifts that won’t break the bank.

Home spa treatment
If I know one thing about women (and most people will debate that I don’t), it’s that they enjoy going to the spa. While I can’t afford to send my mom to the spa for a day, I can afford to buy her some nice bath salts and massage oils.

Breakfast in bed
An oldie, but a goodie. If you’re living in your mom’s house, or if your mom is living with you, this is the ultimate cheap Mother’s Day gift. Scramble some eggs, fry up a few pancakes, toast some bread and you have yourself a Mother’s Day gift that you know your mom will really appreciate. Just remember to do the dishes afterwards!

Picnic
Another great food idea is to take your mom out for a nice walk and a picnic. Grab your favorite picnic blanket and pack some sandwiches and snacks and you have a day your mom will really cherish. You don’t have to spend a lot to make your mom really appreciate your efforts.

While none of these ideas scream originality, they do show that a little effort goes a long way. You can either spend close to $100 to have flowers delivered to your mom’s home, or you can make a truly personal effort to brighten her day. Just because your mother’s day gift is cheap doesn’t mean it has to seem that way. Sure, it’s a terribly commercial holiday that card and flower companies look forward to every year, but it’s also a chance to show your mom that you really do care.