Kat’s Money Corner: Mother’s Day gifts your kids can afford
I’ve always told my family that Mother’s Day gifts are more about the thought than the gift itself. Every year, my husband and kids still feel obligated to overspend. This year I’ve been dropping hints for gifts that are practical, personal and affordable. Here’s a roundup of Mother’s Day gifts I’d be thrilled to receive.
Go Online
Pinterest is a treasure trove of great ideas for what to get mom. If she has an irreverent sense of humor, it could be something as simple as a coffee mug that reads, “Thanks, Mom. I turned out awesome.” If you’re feeling more sentimental, you could go online to a photo site like Shutterfly and order a photo cube of images of your family through the years.
Get Crafty
For little ones just learning about Mother’s Day, a construction paper card is a great way to show mom how much they care. (Dads or older siblings might have to supervise to keep it a secret.) If you’re a more experienced crafter – or just in charge of a younger sibling’s art projects for a day – the personalized possibilities are endless.
For example, if you can afford a plain apron and some fabric paint, you can make mom feel special every time she cooks. Whenever I bake, my kids help out, so wearing a personalized apron would make those times even more fun. Kids of all ages can also customize hats and T-shirts for mom, and these days they could even make her a custom smartphone case.
Get Personal
Don’t forget that mothers sometimes don’t get to pamper themselves enough. You can make potpourri, hand scrub or bath salts in her favorite scents with just a simple trip to the grocery store. Track down some of her favorite candy from her childhood online, or fill a decorative bowl with succulent plants for her desk at work. If your mom is health-conscious, she’d probably love a fruit infuser water bottle or a self-straining tea mug.
Being thoughtful about what the mom in your life enjoys, or wishes she had more time to enjoy, will really show when she opens her gift. I’m hoping for that custom apron this year, or a monogrammed mug showing off even more of my kids’ artwork.
Kat's Money Corner is posted on Dollars & Sense every Tuesday. Kat Hnatyshyn, when not blogging or caring for her little ones, is a manager with CommunityAmerica Credit Union. For more financial chatter, click http://twitter.com/savinmavens or visit http://communityamerica.com.
This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Kat’s Money Corner: Mother’s Day gifts your kids can afford."