Making Mother’s Day memorable doesn’t have to break the bank, it just takes a little planning and creativity.

Flowers. Breakfast in bed. Chocolates. Everyone knows the go-to Mother’s Day gifts, and while they can be nice, they aren’t really the most personal gifts (unless of course your mom LOVES chocolate).

I’m not going to lie-- I have been guilty of phoning it in for dear ‘ol ma.

May can be a hectic month for folks. With spring birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries, Mother’s Day can get put on the back burner. Year after year, I find myself on the greeting card aisle at my local supermarket, gazing at the stands of cliche cards that just aren’t personal. Or scrolling in the Amazon bot suggested section. Not particularly heartfelt. So if you’re like me, instead of finding yourself at the supermarket the night before Mother’s Day, check out our list of low-cost (and even some that are free!) ideas that help make mom feel prioritized, seen, and valued.

Take a trip down memory lane with old photos. Whether you have old photo albums, videos, or just long lost Facebook albums, this is a great chance to discover stories you may have never heard before! Home videos are fun too, especially if, like my family, you still have a working VHS player.

Be a tourist in your own town. If you live in the same town as your mom, take her to all the places that you’ve never had the chance to check out in your own city. Set a tour itinerary of historical places, points of interest, that local cafe you’ve always wanted to try, and treat your mom to a day exploring where you live. Check out resources like Trip Advisor and search your own location!

Go thrifting or antiquing with Mom: Antiquing or thrifting is a blast, and it’s even more fun with mom. It’s basically treasure hunting, who doesn’t like that? Want a fun challenge? Choose a limit of $10-$20 and find the silliest gift for each other you can find. Who doesn’t love a little second-hand shopping and a sweet treat. Heaven.

Pack a picnic and go on a hike or sit somewhere beautiful. You might not be able to travel far for mother's day, but spending time together in your own city can be fun too. Visit a park or take a hike nearby. Here in Oregon, we're so fortunate to have mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and the ocean for the perfect picnic backdrop. Plus, spending time in nature is scientifically proven to ease stress and boost mood.

Plan a movie night. Let’s face it, the weather doesn’t always cooperate for holiday plans, especially in Oregon. A movie night is a perfect back up plan. Get a bunch of mom’s favorite snacks, blankets and watch her favorite movie together.

Do a tarot reading: It might be a little unconventional, but also a great way to get closer to your mother. You can get tarot cards at bookstores and metaphysical shops or use an online deck. Each card has certain meanings associated with it depending on its position and orientation. Whether you believe in the art of tarot or not, it can be enlightening.

Take a class together, virtually or in person. Has your mother always been wanting to learn to paint? Or bake bread? Taking a class together is a fun way to support mom’s passions, and learn something new along the way. Community centers often have classes, or you can find a class virtually through sites like Masterclass, Udemy, or Studio. Even Youtube is a great free way to learn new things.

Go to the farmers’ market: Support your local economy by shopping at the farmers’ market with your mom. Pick out ingredients together and then make mom a fresh lunch or dinner when you get home.

And finally, one of the most simple and impactful ideas I could possibly think of:

Give her peace and quiet. Take care of the kids, animals, chores, errands, and let her just chill with no interruptions. From all the moms I know in my life, taking a bath or a nap without anyone barging in can be a tremendous gift. While the responsibilities have evolved to be more shared in our modern era, it is undeniable that mothers still most frequently carry more mental load about the home and its inhabitants.