5 Ways to Create a Happy Mother’s Day (Without Breaking the Bank)
Wanting to spoil all the great mothers in your life? But kind of broke?
We’ve all been there, and it’s no fun. But just because you’re short on cash doesn’t mean you can’t create a happy Mother’s Day for those special ladies!
Writers and creatives have a special gift in that we can create a wonderful day for virtually no cost. You probably remember making the cheesy “coupon books” when you were a kid: you know the ones with the “free hug” and “30 minute foot rub” that you refused to honor when your mom asked for it?
Writers and creatives have a special gift in that we can create a wonderful day for virtually no cost.
While your mother may appreciate a more mature version of the coupon book (like doing her toughest or most disliked chores), this year you can do something better!
Give the mother figures in your life a happy Mother's Day this year with one of these low cost ideas that play to your creative strengths.
Creative & Heartfelt Gifts:
1. Make a Meal at Home
Not all moms are the primary cooks in their homes, but many are!
Think back to when you were a kid - what was a food or meal your mom made that you remember fondly?
On nights when it was just me and my mom for girls’ night, we would make beans and cheese and chips. The whole meal consisted of refried beans, melted cheese, and tortilla chips to dip into the mixture. My mom always let me have the last bite of melted cheese on the top - the best bite in the whole meal. When I visit my mom for girl time now, as an adult, we still share this dish and it makes us both smile.
The primary goal is to make your mom feel loved with something she will enjoy.
If you are looking for a heartfelt gift to your mother this year, consider making a meal for her. This could be a meal you remember fondly, or a brand new recipe you know she’ll like. It doesn’t have to be complicated, especially if you don’t feel very confident in your cooking skills. The primary goal is to make your mom feel loved with something she will enjoy.
2. Write Your Mom a Story Where She’s the Hero
Let’s be honest, not all of us were always angels to our moms, right? I can think of many times where I was a sassy know-it-all even when my mom was right and we both knew it. Sometimes we also say things we don’t mean, as you see on the TV shows where the teens shout “I hate you!”
We obviously don’t really hate our moms, but we don’t always give them the praise they deserve either. Not for the countless hours of worry and work they put into helping us succeed, or the fact that we came out to be functioning adults even when we made those questionable decisions our mom told us specifically not to do.
We obviously don’t really hate our moms, but we don’t always give them the praise they deserve either.
So what better way to honor your mom than by making her a hero?! This piece of writing doesn’t have to be long - a few pages maybe - but it should clearly illustrate that your mom is pretty awesome. If you’re artistic, you could even do the story comic book style! You can completely make up a story, or use a scene from “real life” - writer’s choice.
3. Spend Quality Time Together
As adults, we tend to get stuck in a routine. Especially when many of us have been working from home for months, with no end established yet! So getting out and safely exploring a new place (while social distancing, as I imagine will still be in place throughout the next couple of months) will be a lovely treat.
For those of you who live close to your mothers (you lucky ducks!), you have the opportunity to go see your mom. Set a time and date and spend intentional, phone-less time together. Whether that’s watching a movie, taking a nice walk, exploring a new place, or even just being together while you get something useful done, really emphasize being present in the moment.
We never truly know how much time we have with those we love most, so quality time - not quantity - is one of the most precious gifts we can give to each other.
One thing I’ve learned as an adult is that we never truly know how much time we have with those we love most, so quality time - not quantity - is one of the most precious gifts we can give to each other. Plus, if you don’t get to see your mom very often, she misses you.
If you live farther away from your mom and you can’t travel, set up a time to video chat. Platforms like Zoom, Google Duo, and FaceTime are pretty awesome, and you’ll probably have some giggles together if one or both of you has never used the app before. When you are on the call, make it a point to stop what you are doing and be present in the conversation. Don’t check other apps, or do the dishes or whatever else you might be tempted to do (I am a huge offender!) - just be in the moment.
You’ll find that you both appreciate the thought and willingness to make the time, because we all know we don’t just “find time” laying around.
Mother's Day Gifts
4. Make a Card from Your Pet(s)
Many moms have a tendency to collect sentimental pieces of artwork from when their children are young. I know I have seen some pretty funny art I created when I was young that my mom held onto for years because I made it for her.
It’s nice, really, that we can keep these special memories. Most of us don’t tend to hand make cards when we are adults, whether it’s because we “don’t have time” or can afford to buy one. And, something is just different about making a card when you’re a “mature” adult, right?
Who doesn’t want to think that someone beloved is thinking about them and doing something unique to make them smile?
But, a handmade card from a beloved pet, whether that pet is yours or your mom’s is super cute (as long as your mom likes the pet in question). Have some fun with it! If your pets are as beloved as our little dog, Charlie, your mom will be happy & maybe even feel like it’s from her grand-dog or grand-cat. Who doesn’t want to think that someone beloved is thinking about them and doing something unique to make them smile?
When I’m creating things from Charlie to other people (he also “signs” all the birthday and holiday cards), I try to imagine what it would look like if he could actually use his paws to write or fold. I also imagine what he might say, or how he would express himself if he could talk.
The funny thing about being a creative writer is that 100% of the time I can imagine what Charlie is thinking, but I definitely can’t always think of the next piece of my novel… go figure, right?
5. Let Her Choose What to Do the Entire Day
When was the last time you spent quality time with your mom when you weren’t requesting a favor? Or suggesting an activity? Or asking her to make you food?
When we’re first starting out on our own, we ask a lot of our mom: for help, for advice, sometimes for money. And that’s completely normal! Goodness knows I’ve had to ask for a lot of help over the years. I’m pretty sure it’s just part of figuring out this whole surviving adulthood thing.
Be purposeful in letting her know that you are here for the ride she chooses to go on.
As much as your mom probably doesn’t mind helping, sometimes she wants to do what she wants to do though it often takes a back seat to helping her kids.
A great way to make your mom feel loved is to spend time with her where she decides what to do. That might be staying in and watching a movie, but it also might be going to have tea or shopping together somewhere besides Dollar General (can you tell my town is small?). Be purposeful in letting her know that you are here for the ride she chooses to go on.
All of these things are great (inexpensive!) ways to spoil your mama and other mother figures in your life on this special day.
All of these things are great (inexpensive!) ways to spoil your mama and other mother figures in your life on this special day. Moms deal with a lot, and even though one day doesn’t really cover how special these ladies are, we sure can make them feel loved and celebrated!
Do you do anything creative for your mom to celebrate Mother’s Day? I’d love to hear what other creatives do or have done (or want to try in the future) for the moms in their lives! Drop a comment below or email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com and let me know.