12 affordable Mothers' Day gift ideas

It's Mothers' Day on March 22nd. Don't panic! Here are 12 gift ideas that should fit the bill - without breaking the budget.

Are you stuck for inspiration this Mothers' Day? Here's a bumper round-up of 12 affordable gift ideas to make your mum feel special.

Spa deals

Mothers' Day is becoming highly commercialised and it's now a bit like Valentine's Day: If you want to treat your mum to a day out (at a spa, for example) you'll get more for your money if you dodge the day itself.

To ensure your mum still feels special on March 22nd, you could give her a card with the tickets for your special upcoming event enclosed.

If this idea appeals, have a look at some of the spa offers available at lastminute.com. For example, you can currently book a sensory spa day at a Bannatyne Spa for £25 per person.

The package includes a Swedish back, neck and shoulder massage, as well as full use of pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi facilities.

Just make sure you read all the terms and conditions carefully: As with so many others, this deal isn't available on Mothers' Day itself.

Green fingers

If your mum is into gardening, she might like this rather girly garden tool kit, £12.50 from good old John Lewis.

Alternatively, you could make up a hanging basket of her favourite plants or herbs. Many 99p Stores is currently selling the baskets themselves for just...well... 99p.

Books

If your mum is a bit of a bookworm, take advantage of the sale now on at WHSmith. At the moment, you can get a hardback copy of The Gift by Cecelia Ahern (many a mother's favourite) for just £5.64.

Alternatively, you could opt for one of these bargain books at Amazon, such as the highly recommended novel, The Conjuror's Bird.

Perfume

The big perfume sale at Boots is still on, so see if you can get your mum's favourite fragrance at up to 50% off.

Beauty

As my colleague Rachel Robson flagged up in her latest Frugal Friday email, you can currently get 15% off all orders at Benefit Cosmetics if you enter the code BENESING at the checkout.

This offer expires on 19 March, so make sure you get that special gift well before Mothers' Day itself.

It's also worth having a browse on the FeelUnique website. This company aims to provide top-brand skincare, hair and cosmetic brands at reduced prices.

It has free UK delivery and (because it's based in Jersey) everything it sells is tax-free.

Personalised gifts

If you'd like to give her a personalised gift, how about a framed photo of the two of you on it, perhaps from your childhood? Alternatively, there are some good offers on photo gifts if you go online. For example, you can get a photo mug half-price (£3.99) from Photobox with the offer code MARMUG (valid until 5pm on Friday 13th March).

Or why not get creative and make your mum a personalised 'five senses' hamper. Find an attractive container and add a gift to appeal to each of the senses - sight, taste, touch, smell and sound.

So for example, you could add a framed photo, your mum's favourite sweets, a nice soft scarf, a fragrance or body spray, and that CD she'd been wanting.

Happy memories

This Dear Mum - From You To Me book should end up being special for both of you. You give it as a gift to your mum, and she answers the questions posed on each page, in her own handwriting.

She'll be asked all sorts of things, like 'where did you meet my dad?' and 'what's the happiest memory of your life?'.

It should give her the chance to look back on all the memories that mean something to her. And it'll also be a gift you can both cherish and read over in years to come. You might even learn something new about her!

'Dear Mum...' costs £11.70 - plus postage - from GettingPersonal.

Alternatively, of course, you could make up a similar book of your own. Write down your own memories of times you and your mum have spent together, and put them in a box, book or jar, for her to open when she's feeling down.

Flowers and chocolates

If you're looking for a more traditional gift, Bunches is offering 10% off its flower deliveries with voucher code MAR09, while Flowers Express and Flowers Direct are offering free chocolates on their Mother's Day flowers if you order early enough.

Alternatively, you could splash out posh chocs that won't break the bank. Hotel Chocolate has plenty of yummy treats specifically for Mothers' Day, including these Caramel Sweethearts for £6 a box, and this dark chocolate Goddess for £7.

What better way to show your mum what you think of her?

Give your time

Ultimately, most mums would rather spend time with you than receive a pricy gift or bunch of flowers (although let's be clear - both would be nice!).

You could cook her a special lunch, have a DIY pampering session or just spend a day window shopping.

Good luck!

More: 50 things you can get for under £5 | Four Easter getaways for under £100!

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