It’s time to thank the mom figures in our lives, but money’s tight and we need cheap Mother’s Day gifts that also feel thoughtful, look beautiful, and are obviously bespoke. Not a huge ask, right? As a reformed shopping fiend, I could give you tons of ideas on where to spend all your money. But this year, we’re going to be smarter, aren’t we? Cheap gifts can also mean nice gifts! I’ll prove it to ya.
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Mother’s Day is about appreciating the women in our lives. This can be Mom or someone who’s done caring, mom-like things. It’s about loving those who’ve loved us.
Gifting is something I personally love and I can spend some cold hard cash on gifts. But, because I’m trying to save money myself and not overly consume, I’m thinking of alternative, but just-as-lovely gifts.
Sustainable and cheap Mother’s Day gifts are easier than you think. It’s really about thoughtfulness and knowing the person.
Want to explore more? Read on!
This post is all about eco-friendly and cheap Mother’s Day gifts.
Sustainable and Cheap Mother’s Day Gifts
🌷 cheap mothers day gifts 🌷 Photo by Kat Stano
This list is sorted by relationships, BUT you can find fun ideas in every section, so gifts are not limited to just one mom title. Browse, peruse, and get creative. These are just the start of your awesome and cheap Mother’s Day gifts!
Mom and Grandma Gifts
🌸 cheap mothers day gifts 🌸 Photo by Kat Stano
Sentimental Gems
Framed photo
Scrapbook you create
Treasure box of mementos and memories
Cookies or a cake she baked for you as a kid
Visit to a park, store, skating rink, or other location that’s special to you both
Framed item from her childhood
Painting of your home
Flowers
Cut flowers from your garden arranged in a vase you already own
Pretty bouquet from the grocery store or farmer’s market
Pressed flower art
Photograph of a flower that you frame
Handcrafted Items
Hand-knitted shawl or oversized sweater
Crocheted coasters
Hand-sewn tea towel
Stepmom and Role Model Gifts
Photo by Kat Stano
Gifts of Gratitude
A letter of thanks using beautiful plantable stationery or a greeting card
Collection of recipes you made together over the years
A gift book of inspirational quotes with a handwritten message inside about how they’ve made a positive difference in your life
Tinted lip balm set
Plants
Potted herb from your garden
Gift card for a plant shop
Bouquet of flowers from Costco: They have such buoyant blooms for a reasonable price!
Plant from a family-owned nursery
Seed packets with a vintage watering can
Mini Escapades
Lunch date or happy hour
Afternoon at a museum
An evening at the theatre
Wine tasting
A stroll through a botanical garden to catch up and appreciate nature
Apparently, I’m good with cash. Photo by Kat Stano, after finding this in a scrapbook by Mama Stano
Stepmother’s Day: The Sunday After Mother’s Day
Did you know about Stepmother’s Day? This holiday was created to give stepmoms their own rightful celebration, but know this:
Some stepmoms appreciate this holiday and some think it’s another way to be seen as an outsider.
As someone who married a guy with kids, I can see both perspectives.
MY ADVICE: If you do plan on celebrating your stepmom on Stepmother’s Day, let her know that in advance so that she doesn’t assume she’s getting left out on Mother’s Day.
If you have a friend who’s a stepmom, you might want to send them a text or card because they might not receive any thanks on this day.
Personally, I think it’s nice to be thanked for your contribution on Mother’s Day, not because of the outdated notion that you’re trying to take anyone’s place… BUT because many stepmoms do A LOT. And all forms of caring should be acknowledged.
Scenarios to Consider on Mother’s Day
Photo by Kat Stano
Mother’s Day is a celebration of moms and mom types, but there are also lots of complicated feelings associated with this holiday. Here are just a few scenarios to consider and be sensitive to:
A mom who’s a troop overseas, who misses her family and hasn’t seen her children in months
A mom who lives far away from her child or children and might be all alone on Mother’s Day
A stepmom who does a lot for her stepkids, but will not receive any acknowledgment in return
A mom in a blended family who doesn’t have her partner’s full emotional support
A mom who has lost a child, either recently or years ago
A future mom who’s suffered a miscarriage
A kid (minor or adult) whose mom has passed away
A dog mom or cat mom (or other animal mom) who just lost their fur baby and is feeling regrets and thoughts of “did I do enough?”
A person who wants a child but is struggling with infertility
A single mom who is having a difficult time juggling everything on her own
A single person who is losing hope that they’ll ever become a mom
A mom or grandma who is estranged from her child or grandchild
A mom who is going through cancer treatments
A mom who is a caretaker for someone who is very sick
A mom who is ill and might be celebrating her last Mother’s Day
Daughter and Niece Gifts
🌈 cheap mothers day gifts 🌈 Photo by Kat Stano
Family Heirlooms
A cherished painting
Piece of jewelry
Set of teacups
Vinyl record collection
Grandma’s engagement ring
Dad’s watch
Military medal
Musical instrument
Family photo album
Childhood Christmas ornament
Framed outfit they wore as a little girl
Patchwork quilt
Garden Gifts
Divided plant from your garden
Potted houseplant you create from cuttings
Seed packets with garden gloves
Succulent planted in a teacup from a thrift store
Memories
A collection of letters they can open on special days for the next year or more
Their baby book
Album of their childhood photos
Framed item of clothing, jewelry, or artwork from when they were a kid
This is my childhood swimsuit that my parents framed. I loved this gift. Photo by Kat Stano
Wearing my favorite rainbow-striped swimsuit. Photo by my dad, probably
Deep cleaning an area(s) of the house, organizing the garage, or running the whole errand list
That one thing she’s wanted you to do, like, FOREVER (and be happy about it!)
Coordinating a home garage sale, if that’s something she’s wanted help with
Dressing up the porch or patio with colorful potted plants
Setting up a she-shed or her own reading nook
Helping her with the hardest parts of the garden
Cooking for her
Auntie Gifts
Cute nephew/dorky aunt moment. Photo by my brother.
The Coolest Gifts, Of Course
Journal that includes all of your favorite memories with your aunt
Matching friendship bracelet
Piece of art you create
An outing for just the two of you, like window shopping with chai teas or a free local festival
Playlist of songs you’ve bonded over
Dog Mom, Cat Mom, Bunny Mom, and Other Pet Mom Gifts
Memorable Keepsakes
Photoshoot with their fur baby
Photo album with pics of their pet
Framed photo of their pet
Poem you write about their fur, feather, or fish child
Original painting of their buddy
Thrifted figurine that looks like their pet
Sustainable and Cheap Mother’s Day Gifts and When to Be Extra Sensitive
Moms-In-Heaven Gifts
If your mom is no longer with us, you can still do something special in her memory.
Planting a flower she loved
Planting a flower named after her: Lots of nurseries and online plant shops name their plants after people.
Planting a tree dedicated to her
Baking her favorite dessert
Toasting her with her favorite beverage
Writing a letter to her to express your feelings and maybe saying things you never got to tell her
Moms-Who-Have-Lost-Children Gifts
Mother’s Day can be a sad day for many, especially for parents who have lost a child. And this child can be any age. If you know a mom whose child passed many years ago, they still grieve. Or if you know a mom whose child grew up well into a mature age, they still grieve. Or if you know a mom whose child was here for only a short time on Earth, they still grieve.
Greeting card with a thoughtful handwritten message
Beautiful plant named after their child
Small donation in their name to an organization or cause close to their hearts
Floral bouquet from a local grower or your cut flower garden
Homemade meal that was a favorite in their family
Future-Mom Gifts
You might know someone struggling with infertility, the adoption process, or finding a partner to start a family with. Maybe there’s a way to reach out to them on Mother’s Day, too.
Book with encouragement and hope-filled quotes: You could compile quotes, too, and make your own book.
Heart necklace they can wear to remind them they’re loved: If you have one of these in your collection, it could make it even more special.
Pothos plant: These plants are buoyant and easy to maintain.
Time spent together, like an afternoon coffee on a sunny patio or a movie night at your place
Care package of comfy-cozy things or just fun things they like
It’s a Wrap: Cheap Mother’s Day Gifts
Finding sustainable and cheap Mother’s Day gifts is about creativity and observation. Ask yourself, “What do they like?” or “What do they like to talk about?” You can get all kinds of clues when you stop and pay attention.
Add your favorite Mom’s Day gifts to the comments. I’d love to hear what you think!
These are wonderful gifts. I can see myself enjoying them. They feel thoughtful and practical, not just something that will sit around collecting dust. I love gifts that I can actually use and appreciate every day, and these definitely fall into that category. It’s the kind of gift that makes you smile each time you reach for it.
Thank you, Ann! I appreciate your warm words! I’m the same way. I like functional, but also memorable gifts. As we get older, we increasingly notice what matters and means the most🩷
These are wonderful gifts. I can see myself enjoying them. They feel thoughtful and practical, not just something that will sit around collecting dust. I love gifts that I can actually use and appreciate every day, and these definitely fall into that category. It’s the kind of gift that makes you smile each time you reach for it.
Thank you, Ann! I appreciate your warm words! I’m the same way. I like functional, but also memorable gifts. As we get older, we increasingly notice what matters and means the most🩷