Mother’s Day is approaching quickly approaching — It’s May 12, if you still haven’t marked your calendar — and between studying for finals and preparing to move for the summer, it can be hard to find time to think of a present. Don’t worry if you haven’t thought of a gift idea yet, because we’ve got you covered. Here are some easy to find and relatively cheap gift ideas that will make your mom’s day a little brighter.
Homemade Dinner
Remember those macaroni necklaces that you used to make your mom as a kid? How about instead of giving her useless, uncooked noodles you cook her a nice pasta dinner? Penne alla Vodka and Fettuccini Alfredo are two recipes that are not difficult to make, but show a little more effort than just emptying a jar of Ragu onto spaghetti. Bonus points for getting your mom her favorite wine to enjoy with the meal.
Her Favorite Book
Think back to when you were younger and your mom told you about her favorite books as a child. Did she love Laura Ingalls Wilder? Maybe she read Little Women every year. Whatever the book, chances are she would appreciate if you got her a new copy. Barnes and Noble has tons of cute classics for between $20-$35. If you have no idea what books your mom enjoyed when she was younger, a book from her favorite author or comedian is another good idea. Mindy Kaling’s book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) is funny and well-written. If your mom’s guilty pleasure is watching the Real Housewives, Andy Cohen has a great book, Most Talkative.
TV Season or Movie Boxed Set
For a lot of us college students, Netflix is what helps us get through finals week (or at least what we use to procrastinate). An episode of your favorite show is a great way to unwind after a long, stressful day, and something that people of all ages can enjoy. Try to think of shows that you and your mom enjoyed together—shows like Gilmore Girls or I Love Lucy are often offered at Target for low prices, especially when bundled together. A lot of stores also have sets of classic romantic comedies or musicals where you get 4-5 movies for a much lower price than if you bought them individually.
Pamper Her
A gift certificate for a massage is a nice way to show your mom that you know she has a stressful life and that you think she deserves a break. While massages can be a little pricey, if you have any siblings you can go in on the cost together. Another nice option is getting your mom a gift card for a mani/pedi — or go with her and make an afternoon of it.
The most important part of buying your mom a gift for Mother’s Day is showing that you appreciate her and know her personality (as in, don’t make your mom your favorite pasta if she isn’t a fan of Italian food). No matter how small your budget is, you can always show that you tried to make your mom’s day better. Oh, and if you’re home celebrating this weekend, make your best effort not to fight with your siblings, no matter how annoying they’re being.
*Photos found from www.sxc.hu and www.barnesandnoble.com