Amy Hannold
247Moms Frugal Living Editor
Mothers Day is May 13th this year. Here are some affordable, creative ways to show your love for Mom.
Homemade Treasures:
Free registration to their email updates will open 5 free, printable resources for Mothers Day. Suggested age for these activities ranges from Pre-Kindergarten through the 8th grade. Activities range from the history of Mothers Day, poem writing, tissue paper flowers, “pop-up” portraits and my favorite – “Roses for Mom”. This page of drawn roses invites the child to write “promises” of how they will show love for mom. They can color the roses, cut them out and then give them to Mom (perhaps as part of a handmade card).
One of my favorite sites for finding creative activities – even for the un-creative moms. Bingo cards, anagrams, craft ideas, and more.
Fisher-Price offers a free collection of printable greeting cards your kids can color for Mothers Day – or any day!
Other Ideas for Mother’s Day:
Memories for Mom:
Search back into your own childhood years and create a card or handwritten letter for your Mom. Tell her about how much you appreciate her and what of her you hope to be with your own children.
Make History:
Spend some time with Mom, taking in her history and memories. Get the kids involved with audio recorded interviews or book making. Mom will love knowing that her experiences and special moments will be recorded for future generations. For ideas on questions you can ask, StoryCorps.org has a free, printable “Great Questions List” and “Questions Generator” for anyone whom you’d want to record a life story of.
http://storycorps.org/record-your-story/question-generator/list/
Photo Gifts:
Find that perfect photo of the kids and use it to create a photo gift. Online or in-store you can find some great deals on something Mom will love. Give Mom something she can show off, bragging about her special little ones.
Gift Baskets:
Use your frugal skills to create an especially collected assortment of Mom’s favorites. Include treats, books, or small luxuries, show mom you’ve thought of what she likes.
Labors of Love:
It’s nearly mid 2012 and I’m sure that Mom has some projects she resolved to complete this year. Give the gift of your time and talent by helping her with something she’d like to see done. Ideas include sorting old photographs, transferring family VHS memories to DVDs, gardening, scrapbooking, spring cleaning, decluttering, etc.
Going Out?
If a meal out on the town is in your plans, check this list of restaurants offering Mother’s Day discounts and special meals. Online deals, social buying sites, and local establishments may also offer discounts for Mother’s Day dining. Be aware of any fine print on coupons which may exclude use on Mother’s Day.
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=172&m=99
Help Dad a Little, If Need Be:
Share these ideas – even with Dad, so that he can help the kids create something special. Enjoy Mother’s Day. Celebrate the “Moms” in your life! Also, remember Moms with spouses deployed, single moms, and others who also may benefit from some special attention on Mother’s Day.
