Unexpected, Memorable, and Affordable Mother’s Day Gifts

According to the National Retail Federation consumer spending survey conducted by BIGinsight, the average person celebrating Mother’s Day is expected to spend about $152 on it this year. Before you book a mom’s day brunch or send flowers (again), make this the year you get creative and explore these memorable—yet affordable—gift options that mom is sure to love.

For the Spa Mom

Instead of sending mom for the predictable pedicure, give her indulgence at home and show your appreciation for her in thoughtful details. Start with a “mom relaxation basket,” stocked with a bottle of her favorite bubbly or wine. (For deals on quality wines with minor label mishaps, check out “The Accidental Wine Company.”

Select a mix of fragranced bath products from Joyful Bath Co, which offers 100% natural, handmade bath bars and salts starting at just $5, and a free printable “bath mixology guide” that mom can use to custom-design her own aromatic bath.

Make mom a bath soundtrack with a relaxation playlist you create with her favorite tunes she can listen to while taking a soak. Stack current issues of her favorite magazines and a couple of juicy novels she’s been dying to read and top off her experience with personalized bath towel or bath robe. Towels4U on Etsy has custom options starting at $16.99!

For the Foodie Mom

With BakeSpace.com’s Cookbook Café free app available on iTunes, you can make a personalized cookbook for mom with her favorite recipes, as well as some new options. To get the whole family involved in the creation, simply add the “family cookbook link” to Facebook.

If mom would appreciate some pointers from a professional, Cloud 9 Living offers a variety of food tours, cooking classes, and wine and beer experiences in 43 different regions, starting at just $55.

For the gift that gives all season, buy her her a share in a local community supported agriculture group, which will provide an assortment of in-season, locally grown produce each month. Check out LocalHarvest.org for local produce, as well as high-quality olive oils, nuts, dried fruits, herbs and other goodies from producers in other areas of the country not found at her local market.

For the Empty Nester Mom

If you’ve recently left for college, moved into your own place, or started a family of your own, mom may feel like her house is in need of some new energy. Through Remote Stylist, you can give her access to a home designer who will guide her through the entire process via phone, email or Skype.

Using the “Style File,” mom will answer a series of questions about the look she’s trying to achieve, importance on budget, speed, volume of ideas, and personal design preferences. With the help of her assigned stylist, she can redesign the space and choose from a selection of below retail furniture for home delivery.

Though you may want to join forces with other family members to cover furniture costs, it’s a great way to alleviate her from remodel burdens and support her during a time of transition.

For the Fit Mom

Whether you’re a son or daughter, Mother’s Day is prime time to get moving with mom, especially if she’s passionate about wellness. If she loves to dance, look into classes like “Zumba” or “Barre.” If she’s interested in the mind-body connection, attend a yoga class together (look for classes described as “hatha,” “yin” or “restorative,” if you’re both beginners).

Though the trip to a fitness studio will run you about $30 for an hour-long class, it’s a conduit to creating a shared and memorable experience with your mother. If she’s an athlete at heart, register as a team for a local event in the area and vow to train and complete it together. For a list of event ideas, check out Active.com

For the Mom Who Has Everything

Self-described as the “world’s largest marketplace for small services, starting at $5,” the creative possibilities on Fiverr are endless, unique—and cheap! For just $5 (paid via Paypal), you can have a family picture transformed into a portrait, order a personalized song written and performed (by video) just for her, or give her a comic-book style caricature complete with her favorite “motto.”

For the Mom You’d Like to Reconnect With

Sometimes life gets in the way and kids lose their ability to bond with mom like they did in days past. If you’re craving an opportunity to reconnect with your mother this year, “Between Me And You” journals ($14.95) offer thought-provoking, light-hearted, and sometimes humorous questions that recapture memories between kids, parents, and other family members.

In addition to being great conversation starters and a way to express emotions that can’t always be verbalized, mom will have a handwritten keepsake that she can cherish.

Stephanie Taylor Christensen is a former financial services marketer based in Columbus, OH. The founder of Wellness On Less, she also writes on small business, consumer interest, wellness, career and personal finance topics.