Help your kids make Mother’s Day special: Save big-time with these 5 gift ideas

Mother’s Day deals

Reid Watson, then a third grader, drew a portrait of his mother. AJC file art

Picture Day: You’ve probably taken dozens and dozens of photos of mom and the kids. And they are probably still loaded in your digital camera or sitting on your computer’s desktop. Why not print the photos and frame them? When mom comes downstairs on Mother’s Day, she’ll see the reason the day is special for her — the children smiling back at her.

Not much of a photographer? Here’s a special deal that can get you the same effect, for the same price. This coupon from Sears is for a free Tender Moments Portrait Collage. The coupon also waives the session fee. That’s a $45 value.

A family enjoys the Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens. Photo: Hyosub Shin, AJC

Flowers and More

Why give a bouquet of flowers in a vase when you can share an entire flower garden with your mother? Fill up the tank and take the short drive to beautiful Callaway Gardens. With this printable coupon for Callaway Gardens, you can do it for cheaper than the flower bouquet would be anyway. In addition to the flower gardens, there’s a butterfly center, a beach, a vegetable garden and the opportunity to hike or bike. Adult tickets are only $9, and children’s tickets (ages 6 to 12) are only $4.50. Bring along a picnic basket!

Just Like Mom Makes

So much of mom’s time is spent preparing meals for the family. Now it’s your turn. If you’re not a chef, don’t sweat it. You and the kids have plenty of time to get prepared. There are numerous Web sites that have simple recipes that kids can help make. Make it fun for the kids by having them pick out a menu they think Mom will enjoy. Then, get started. Here are “Mother’s Day recipes” for Banana Buckwheat Pancakes, Mom’s Chef Salad and Amazing Mud Cake.

One more thing: Don’t forget about the dishes afterward! The best part is that you can do it guilt-free, as you’re sure to spend far less than you would at a restaurant, and you won’t have to wait in any long lines either.

Spa Treatment

Sure, there are deals out there for massages, facials and other spa treatments. There are none better than the one you’ll make for Mom right here at home. Using a few all-natural  ingredients from the pantry, you’ll give your mother a facial or foot massage that will leave her feeling refreshed and pampered. That is the goal, after all.

The Living Room Theatre

We all have a special talent inside of us. We have our parents to thank for that. Mom’s love to see their little ones shine, too. So, turn on the spotlight and give her a show. A talent show that is. Write a poem and read it aloud to her. Create a dance and singing routine, and don’t forget the costumes. Write a skit and act it out. Give her a portrait. She’s sure to get plenty of laughs and if you put enough thought into it, she’ll enjoy it every bit as much as she would a play at one of the city’s big theatres.

How will you celebrate Mother’s Day this year?

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