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Does Mother’s Day ever catch you off guard? Like, Easter is in the rear-view mirror now and summer is finally peaking over the horizon ahead and then eeerrrrrrrr!! Mother’s Day!
I really am a gift giver at heart. I love to surprise people with just the right present that lets them now I put a lot of thought and effort into giving them something to cherish.
But Mother’s Day seems to sneak up on me every. single. year. Whyyyy?
With so much going on this time of year, it’s hard not to fall into the pattern of giving candles, flowers, or homemade items with our kids’ handprints on them (I mean seriously, how many handprint stepping stones does one woman need?!).
So this year I am getting a jump on things. I can’t tell you what I am giving my moms, but it’s definitely on this list…
12 Unique Mother’s Day Gifts under $40
1. Summer Wreath
I recently wrote about my four favorite spring wreaths for this year (which all happen to be under $40 too), and honestly any of those are perfect for summer as well. If you want to give your mom something specific to summertime, consider a sunflower wreath like THIS, a cotton wreath, or a wildflower wreath like THIS.
2. Foot Spa/Spa Package
An obvious choice, right? I bought one of these for my mom at Christmas and she loves it! If your budget is more than $40, consider adding bath salts, bath bombs, lotions or scrubs to your foot spa and make a spa gift basket out of it!
3. LED timer candles
Do you have any of these?? I got a set for Christmas and I LOVE THEM. When I wake up before the sun to work and it’s just me and my computer, I turn my candles on BOOM! Instant mood lighting. I feel better already.
They can be set to come on at the same time every day and for the same length of time. Mine can be programmed for 2, 4, and 6 hours. Just don’t forget to buy batteries!
4. String lights for patio area
A couple of years ago my sister and I bought my mom a couple of strands of lights for her patio and she uses them all the time. In fact, I have my own outdoor strand lighting that I use. It brought such a cool feel to our outdoor living area and wasn’t expensive to do.
5. Potted House Plants
If your mom has a green thumb, get her a new plant to add to her breakfast area or front porch. I personally love to receive plants as gifts, even if it requires getting dirty in the flower beds. I still have a hydrangea Michael and the kids gave me several years ago and it always reminds how much I am loved by my family. Sappy, but true!
6. A Tree to Plant
If your mom has the space for a tree, it can make for a really special gift. Pick something that a) grows well in her area and b) flowers or produces fruit. Just remember that with fruit trees you need two in order for cross pollination to occur (which is how the fruit is produced).
7. Herb garden kit
A small herb garden kit is a great gift for anyone who likes to cook, make teas of various kinds, or simply enjoy the fragrances herbs have to offer. You could even assemble the plants or seeds in pots and gift it as a set. Lavender, Oregano, Cilantro, Parsley, Mint and Dill are some of my favorite herbs to grow.
8. Magazine subscription
Everyone enjoys flipping through magazines, however it’s not something most people buy for themselves. A magazine subscription is a gift that keeps on giving for up to two years, depending on which one you choose. (No, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to give a gift next year).
9. Hot tea gift basket
Hot tea is one of my favorite beverages! Find a cute tea cup and fill it with a variety of your mom’s favorite teas. If you are feeling especially crafty, you could include a few recipe cards for yummy teas like a Hot Toddy, Sweet Cinnamon tea, or even a vanilla green tea latte!
Gift it on a tray or in a basket! So cute!
10. Book of the Month Subscription
If your mom loves to read, she would love a subscription to a book of the month club where she will receive a new book each month for the duration you choose.
11. Concert Tickets
Are any of your mom’s favorite artists coming to town soon? See if you can snag a ticket or two at a discounted price. It could be the highlight of her year!
12. Custom t-shirt, canvas bag, or coffee mug
My friends at Fill in the Blanks Co and the Craftee Camper make some seriously adorable apparel. They do custom work so if you want to monogram something, or maybe put special song lyrics on a shirt, bag or coffee mug let them know!
There are so many ways to surprise your mom with a unique but cost effective gift this year. Any of these ideas can be ordered and ready to go with time to spare. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
What are your best Mother’s Day gift ideas? Tell me in the comments!
