14 Creative Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day When You're Broke as Hell

If you’re physically with your mom this Mother’s Day, head to the kitchen! It doesn’t matter whether you learned it from your mama or a few dozen YouTube tutorials, cooking for your mom is a cheap and thoughtful way to show your appreciation. Try a new rendition of her favorite food, a family recipe, or the only meal you actually trust yourself to make. What matters is it’ll be a meal made with love.

If you’re into film or photography, try your hand at putting together a scrapbook documenting all the amazing moments you’ve shared with your mom. This one might take a little bit of planning if you don’t have a ton of photos already, but once you have the materials you need, you can create a unique and thoughtful gift. It’s also the perfect thing to send to your mom if you aren’t together.

Moms do a ton of work, so take care of any early morning errands that might be pushing your mom out of bed before the sun is up. Grab her groceries, make her breakfast in bed, or rally your younger siblings and get them ready for the day so she can actually enjoy her morning. It’s a classic Mother’s Day celebration, but thoughtfulness never gets old, especially if you go the extra mile to make it a responsibility-free day.

It’s been said that our homes reflect how we’re feeling, so start the day off right by creating a clean, beautiful space for your mom to enjoy her day in. Do the dishes, fold the laundry, wipe down the counters, and declutter so everything feels calm and organized. It might not be an especially glamorous gift, but it’s one that will definitely be appreciated.

Whether your mom is an art buff or a collector of a million different “Live, Laugh, Love” posters, figure out what her favorite kind of art is and give it a try yourself. Order a paint-by-number kit and create something beautiful and creative for Mother’s Day.

For the musically gifted ones out there, your mom has probably been begging you to perform for years now. Give her the gift she’s been waiting for by writing an original song or covering one of her favorites. You can either record it for the whole family to enjoy, sing it over FaceTime, or perform it live for all the feels.

Flowers are a Mother’s Day favorite, but take it one step further and get mom something unexpected. Maybe DIY a small terrarium for her to add to over time, or find some small, easy-to-care-for succulents that will brighten up her day. Opt for low-maintenance plants and help liven up your mom’s space in a different and longer-lasting way.

With a couple of cheap face masks, a few bottles of nail polish, and your most relaxing playlist, you can take your mom (and maybe even yourself) to the spa for cheap. Look for little luxuries like fun bath bombs or candles to help your mom relax for the big day. In a pinch, you could even make your own bath scrubs and lotions for a low-budget but high-quality treat your mom will love.

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of overly competitive family game nights. Gather all the best games in the house (not the ones with 27 different pieces missing) and let mom pick the games she likes. And if you’re not together, you can easily still do this one over FaceTime!

Sometimes the best gift you can give is a pile of cheap takeout and a quiet movie night where you can actually hear the TV without someone yelling every two seconds. Spend the extra $3 to rent the movie your mom actually wants to see, check out some of these fun popcorn recipes, and order in for a relaxing night at home.

Many of us have grown up listening to our mom’s favorite songs, so why not put together a playlist just for her? Collect all the songs that remind you of her and throw in a few suggestions you think she might enjoy. Give the playlist a cute name and send it to her on Mother’s Day, or burn the songs onto a CD for an old-school gift she’ll love.

Fill a jar with reasons why you love your mom, cover the wall in sticky notes with your favorite things about her, or write a happy message on her mirror using washable markers. You’ll start the day off right by giving your mom a bunch of visible reminders about what she means to you. And if you aren’t together, have a sibling or your other parent put this together for you. That way, your mom will feel like you’re right there with her.

You might not have the resources to get your mom a million different beauty products, but if you’re a beauty-lover yourself, you could still help her feel amazing using the makeup you already have. As you get ready to celebrate, help your mom get dressed up, do her makeup for her, and give her a boost of confidence so she feels like her most beautiful self.

Is there something your mom has always wanted to do? A class she’s always wanted to take? Get her started by gifting her an experience she hasn’t tried before or wants to do more of. And even though she won’t be able to use it for a little while, it’ll give her something to look forward to (and you’ll most likely support a small business in the process!). From yoga to art to rock climbing, there are tons of classes you can choose from without breaking the bank. Even better, you can go with her and make a memory together.