21 Gifts for Mom That Won’t Break the Bank

There are a lot of different gift-giving occasions when it comes to your mom (and she deserves them all!). There’s Mother’s Day, Christmas, her birthday, and even smaller holidays like Valentine’s, where you want to show her some love. The truly great thing is, you don’t even need an actual reason to give your mom a gift. Moms are the best, and we’d give them a gift every day if we could. If you need gift inspiration, check out our 21 gift ideas for your mom that won’t break the bank. 

1. Flowers 

Who doesn’t love flowers? If you need something extra to accompany a gift, or if you just want to do something nice for your mom, you can’t go wrong with flowers. The great thing about flowers is that you can get a beautiful bouquet for around $5-$10. Just head to your local flower shop or grocery store and pick out some of her favorite flowers. 

2. Gift Set of Body Products

If your mom loves her me-time, get her a gift set of bath and body products from Spongellé. We have everything from body sponges, to pedi buffers, to lotions and creams, to candles. You will definitely find something that your mom will love. All of our products are high-quality, with amazing scents you won’t find anywhere else. Get her a few different items to try and put them all together for the ultimate gift. 

3. A Wine and Charcuterie Basket

A wine and charcuterie basket is a great gift because you can really customize it to your mom’s preferences and likes. Sometimes pre-made baskets will contain things your mom doesn’t like and go to waste. 

Instead, get her a bottle or two of her favorite wine. Then, pick out meats and cheeses that pair perfectly with the wine. You can also add crackers, jelly, and jam, and even some chocolates to top it all off. 

4. Put Together a Photo Album 

This gift will only cost you a few dollars, but it will be priceless to your mom. Buy a photo album, and then go to a local store with a photo kiosk. Print out a variety of photos, from baby pictures to family trips to pictures of her when she was young. She will cherish these memories forever!  

5. Make a Cookbook 

If you and your mom love to cook together, or if she’s just a great cook, buy a book and fill it with notecards that have your favorite recipes written on them. You can find lots of inexpensive blank cookbooks, and then all you need to buy are some notecards. This will be a truly heartwarming gift. 

6. Cook Her Dinner 

There’s no better gift than the gift of putting in time and effort. Plus, who doesn’t love a delicious home-cooked meal? Don’t worry if you’re not a great cook. You can keep things simple and just do pasta and salad, or go all out and try and make one of her favorite meals! 

7. A Giftcard to Get Her Nails Done 

Moms deserve to pamper themselves, given all the hard work they do. Treat her to a day at her favorite nail salon. This is also a great gift because it can be customized to your budget. A basic manicure only costs around $25. If you want to spend a little more, you can gift them a manicure and a pedicure, or even a gel manicure that will last longer. 

8. Bake Her a Treat 

How about a cake just because? Or maybe a tray of brownies? Homemade is even better than store-bought. Head to the store and buy the ingredients for her favorite treats, whatever they may be. If she has a bakery that is her absolute favorite, you can also stop there and pick something up instead of baking yourself. 

9. Buy Her Concert Tickets 

You don’t have to buy your mom front row seats if you’re not trying to empty out your wallet. Most venues have seats that sell for around $40-60. While this is a little more expensive than other gifts on the list, it’s still reasonable, and you really can’t put a price on great memories. 

10. Plan a Movie Night 

This gift will barely cost you anything at all. Invite your mom over (or go to her place) and set up everything for a perfect movie night. Have a snack station with popcorn, candy, and drinks. Then make sure you have your coziest blankets and pajamas. Then, let mom pick the movie (yes, even if she wants to watch an oldie), and enjoy! 

11. Set Up a Date Night for Her and Her Significant Other 

Sometimes couples forget to plan things for themselves, but date nights are so, so important in a relationship! Find a night when your mom and her significant other are both free and put together some plans for them. Make a reservation at their favorite restaurant, or reserve a seat for them at the local movie theater. It doesn’t have to be crazy expensive, but the opportunity for them to spend some time together without having to plan it is sure to be appreciated. 

12. Buy Her Some New Books 

Head to your favorite bookstore and pick out a few new titles for your mom to enjoy. So many of us say that we wish we read more, and sometimes it just takes a little nudge to get back into a reading kick. Plus, she will love reading books that you chose especially for her, instead of having to pick out some herself! 

13. Sign up For a Workout Class Together 

Buy your mom a drop-in class pass for your favorite workout. Then, the two of you can go together and sweat it out. You can grab a meal after or head to a smoothie or juice bar to keep up your healthy day together. Even if the class is really hard, you can both struggle through it together! 

14. Give Her a Travel Giftcard 

Maybe your mom has been saving up to take a trip she’s always wanted to go on. You don’t have to splurge to buy her a plane ticket (although, you can if you want!), but you could buy her a gift card for a certain amount that she can put towards a ticket with a certain airline. Every little bit helps when you are saving up for a trip!

15. Buy Her Some Perfume 

With this gift, you really can’t go wrong. Perfume is a thoughtful and wonderful gift to receive. Get your mom a bottle of her favorite perfume if you know she’s running low. Or, go to the store and find one that reminds you of her. Every time she wears it, she will think of you! 

16. Call Her 

This is a gift that will cost absolutely nothing at all. Simply pick up the phone, call your mom, and ask how she’s doing. Again, this is another gift that is priceless. Your mom will love to know that you are thinking of her and checking in on her. 

17. Make Her Some Art

Remember when you were a little kid, and your mom saved all of your artwork (even the horrible scribble drawings)? Moms love sentimental gifts and objects. For old time’s sake, paint her a picture or create any sort of art project for her. We’re sure she would love to hang up a painting signed by you or display a new ceramic piece you created. 

18. Clean Her House 

Your mom spent years cleaning up after you, so what’s fair is fair! Pay her back by surprising her and cleaning up her whole house for her. This is another gift that won’t cost a thing (unless you have to buy some cleaning supplies) but will mean everything to your mom. 

19. Pay One of Her Bills 

Pick one of her bills, like her cable or phone bill, and call ahead to pay for it for the month. Imagine her surprise and happiness to know you covered that bill for her. It doesn’t matter which bill it is, either. You can pick an inexpensive one, and she will still be thrilled. 

20. Buy Her Some Makeup 

If your mom loves to do her makeup, then buy her something to update her collection. You can put together a collection of things or keep it simple and just get her a new eyeshadow palette or a fun-colored lipstick. 

21. Buy Her Something She’s Always Wanted 

This is a very personal gift idea because only you know what your mom has always wanted. Maybe it’s a trip, maybe it’s a piece of jewelry, or maybe she just wants to spend more time with you. It doesn’t matter what it is; just make it special! 

Conclusion 

Now you have plenty of ideas and inspiration for the next time you need to get your mom a gift. Remember, it truly is the thought that counts. Moms will love any gift you give them, whether it’s big or small. 

Sources:

Christmas Gifts for Your Friends That Won't Break The Bank | New York Minute Mag

60 best gifts for mom for 2021 - Meaningful gift ideas she'll love | USA Today

The Best Gifts For Moms: 34 Ideas To Ensure You're The Favorite | Forbes