3 Tips for a Low-Cost Mother's Day Celebration That Mom Will Love

Moms have a tendency to give their kids, well, everything. And that extends into adulthood.

If you have kids of your own, how many times has your mom come over to babysit in a pinch? And how many times have you, in recent years, called your mother to seek advice, complain about work, or just plain shoot the breeze?

If your mom is a big part of your life, you may be inclined to try to make Mother's Day as special as possible this year. Data from the National Retail Federation finds that Americans expect to spend $254 on average on Mother's Day 2024 between gifts and celebrations. But if your financial situation isn't so great, that's a lot of money to be spending on a single day.

If you don't have enough money in savings, for example, to cover three months of essential living expenses, then you probably shouldn't be spending $254 on Mother's Day alone. Similarly, if you owe money on credit cards, your mom would probably prefer that you focus on paying down your balance and minimizing your interest rather than showering her with gifts.

The good news is that it doesn't necessarily take a lot of money to pull off a great Mother's Day celebration. Here are a few options that shouldn't bust your budget.

1. Take a hike or nature stroll

If your mom is the outdoorsy type, it may be a rare thing for her to get to spend an afternoon with you exploring local trails or marveling at different plant species. The simple act of planning out a route for a hike or walk and carving out the time may mean more to your mom than you could know. So instead of springing for theater tickets or a fancy dinner, get outdoors together.

2. Take a walk down memory lane

If your mother isn't the type to want to spend a few hours in the woods or on a trail, take a walk down memory lane instead. Put together a slideshow of family photos and celebrations, set it to music, and voila -- you've got the makings of a great Mother's Day gift and entertainment. Chances are, your mom will want to watch it over and over again.

3. Have a potluck brunch

Mother's Day brunch at a restaurant might go something like this: You show up for your reservation and get stuck waiting 40 minutes in a cramped corner for your table to be ready. You then wrangle your family around a too-small table where servers bump into you constantly because the place is packed, eat your meal in a hurry to escape that situation, and pay $250 for the privilege of having someone else cook your eggs and brew your coffee.

If that sounds like a less-than-fun idea, host a potluck brunch instead and have all participants (other than your mom, of course) bring their favorite dish. If your kids are old enough to cook with supervision, let them take charge of the French toast casserole or crumb cake. Not only might you save a bundle, but you might end up with a tastier meal in a more relaxed setting.

It's natural to want to go all out on Mother's Day. But if money is tight, these options could be the perfect way to show your mom just how important she is to you.