In a tight economy, it can be tough to shower your mom with gifts for Mother's Day. However, most moms agree that the best gifts that show the most love are those that come from the heart, rather than the wallet. Try some of these suggestions for showing your biggest fan that you're her biggest fan, too.
Get in touch with your crafty side.
Break out the construction paper, scissors, paint, glue and all your other craft staples and make Mom something meaningful. Some ideas include decorating a T-shirt, making a custom frame with a favorite photo and, of course, creating a heartfelt card. Possibilities are endless and Mom will love the thought you put into your special gift.
Bring back memories.
If you have a little bit more to spend, consider a digital photo frame, pre-loaded with some of your family's favorite pictures. Or, search the Internet for special deals on online photo albums. For example, the Sears Facebook page offers a free virtual scrapbook page you can use to add photos, stickers and a message and then share via e-mail or Facebook with your mom.
Bring out the gardener in her.
After you decorate a flower pot, fill it with some needed gardening supplies and perhaps some seed packets. Add a gift card to a local nursery or home gardening supply store. Attach a message that your love for her will always “grow,” and you've got the perfect gift for the mom with green thumbs.
Appeal to her ears.
Custom CDs are always meaningful because they can include intricate messages of love that you just can't get anywhere else. Find some special songs that remind you of your special mom and burn a CD she can listen to in the car. Or, if it fits in your budget, buy her an MP3 player and load it with music you know she'll love to hear.
Offer what she may need most — help.
If your mom is the kind always on the go, give her some time to relax by offering to take some chores off her hands. Create gift certificates she can redeem for laundry, dishes, house cleaning, yard work or any job that keeps Mom from taking time for herself. If you're considering several certificates, create a “coupon book” from the family so everyone can pitch in and help.
If it's help with money and finances Mom needs, consider a session with a CPA. Many CPAs specialize in personal financial planning and can assist with getting a budget under control, planning for short-term items, like a much-needed vacation, or long-term goals, like retirement, so your mother can look forward to a restful future.
Visit www.KnowWhatCounts.org for more money-saving advice or for a free CPA referral and free consultation.
With more than 6,000 members in public practice, industry, government and education, the OSCPA is Oklahoma's only statewide professional association of CPAs. Since 1918, the organization has continued to provide professional education, conduct quality reviews and promote and maintain high standards of integrity and competence within the accounting profession.
###
