If you usually set a monthly budget, special occasions may cause a dent in your finances. I always allocate extra contingency cash in my budget for unexpected days out, meals and gifts but it can be tempting to overspend when you’re celebrating something special. Mother’s Day is no exception and I know you all want to shower your mum with gifts on the 31st March, but there are ways that you can give her a treat without breaking the bank. Here’s some ideas…
LOW COST CARDS
There are a few options for cutting the cost of greetings cards that you might not have already considered:
1. Make your own. If you’ve got children, even better, because they can help you make a Mother’s Day card from all the family. Get out the pens and glitter and start creating!
2. If you’re not crafty, have a look on Pinterest for slogan ideas to print your own cards from your laptop.
3. Head to a low-cost retailer. You don’t have to spend upwards of £2-3 on a greetings card that will eventually be recycled. Places like Card Factory have cards starting at 29p and they sometimes have a special offer at the front of the store, like 5 cards for £1 or similar.
4. How about sending a free e-card? This might be a cost-effective and easier option if you live in a different country to your family, as you can be sure it’ll be delivered on time via email.
PLAN A DAY TOGETHER
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to show your mum that you appreciate her on Mother’s Day. Here are a few things you can do together:
1. Go for a walk together. If you’ve got a park or woodland nearby this is the perfect time of year to go for a walk amongst the crocus and daffodils and feel the benefits of your “friluftsliv” adventure.
2. Make her a meal. If you live together it could be breakfast in bed. If you’re visiting, why not cook her a Sunday lunch? Or if you go out for a walk, you could pack up a picnic.
3. If your mum is a fan of films, you could either take her to the cinema (an afternoon screening is often cheaper than evening films) or buy a DVD and plan a movie night at home with low-cost microwave popcorn and a box of sweets from the pound shop.
HOMEMADE GIFTS
Again, this is a good option for anyone who is creative, crafty or who has children. You can work together to make mum a handmade gift or spend a few evenings creating something special yourself.
1. Knit, crochet or sew a new accessory for your mum. It’ll mean more to her to receive a hand-knitted scarf, home-made tote bag or crocheted brooch than if you’d been to the shops to buy a brand-new item.
2. Put together a pampering pack. You can use a Kilner jar, basket or box and fill it with a few favourite items with a theme – such as bath bombs, face mask and flannel for bath time, or seeds, hand cream and gloves for a keen gardener.
3. Use modelling clay to make jewellery with the kids. They’ll have fun rolling out and shaping the clay in the same way that they use Playdough, making it an easy craft to do together. Marble the colours and poke holes through balls to create beads or shape into a badge. The clay hardens in the oven, then you can glue on a pin back or use elastic to create a necklace.
What do you think? Will you be making or crafting a gift or greetings card for your mum this year? Let me know if you have any other money-saving tips for special occasions in the comments below, I’d love to hear your gift ideas!
