Mother’s Day is too much pressure. Men complain that they can’t read women’s minds, but mom’s minds? Whole new level of 911-help-me. This is a woman who cheered for your sorry ass at every mediocre soccer game and how do you repay her? You leave her alone with your dad to jet off to your dream school. How in the world do you express how much you love her in one day on a broke-AF college budget?
Cool moms everywhere have decreed that the best gifts require a greater sacrifice from their kids’ time than their bank accounts.
1. Scrapbook it up!
About four months into my sister’s six-month co-op in Cape Town, my mom hopped on a plane to visit her and the safari. My sis, clever girl, returned home armed with photos. She immortalized their weeklong adventure in the form of a fabulous scrapbook. It is now, I swear, my mom’s most treasured possession (a close second to her HBO subscription). This Mother’s Day, memorialize one of your mother-child bonding trips on patterned page.
Cost estimate: $30
Time estimate: 3 hours
2. Capture a precious moment in frame.
If you don’t have the time, money or photographs for a whole scrapbook, then one photo will do. Alyssa Aguero, CM editor and self-proclaimed tear-jerking queen, swears by this. One year, she gifted a framed picture of her mom and dad from a Christmas extravaganza. “She cried. My sisters were jealous. I won daughter of the year,” she said. For all those who aren’t photogenic, apparently you don’t even need to be in the picture to get waterworks.
Cost estimate: $14
Time estimate: 30 minutes
3. Pretend you’re sending in a submission to Hallmark.
Last ditch effort for the really, really poor: a handmade card. But the amount of time and creativity expected? Through the roof. Kris Chapados, mom of two dangerously beautiful girls, warned, “The key word is ‘heartfelt.’ A half-assed homemade card made the morning of Mother’s Day does not resonate thoughtful or heartfelt.” Oh, God. Get out the glitter glue and witty anecdotes now!
Cost estimate: $5
Time estimate: A gambler’s risk
4. Make room for dinner.
Ditch breakfast-in-bed in favor for dinner reservations. Jenny Mancini, who once told her daughter, “Have fun. Be safe. Be yourself,” (advice that has become our quad’s mantra) swears by some good ole’ fashioned family time and appreciation. “Oh, and reservations that I don’t have to make myself would be nice, too!” she said. This year, pick up the phone—and bill!
Cost estimate: $25
Time estimate: 2½ hours
5. Don’t forget the phrase is “dinner and a movie.”
My family is big on movies. Like in the top ten dream vacation spots, you’d probably find Chunky’s, a theater nearby that serves alcohol and food during the movie. But even if your family isn’t a rat pack of drunk film buffs, a movie date is prime quality time with your mom. Pre-order a gift pack that includes a gift card, prepaid admission tickets and popcorn coupons for a GNO (great night out).
Cost estimate: $40
Time estimate: 2 hours
6. Step up your tag game.
Just like with your significant other, sometimes you have to shake up the usual dinner-and-a-movie night. What sounds better than fun, exercise and competition rolled into one activity? Other than drinking—laser tag! Tickets are surprisingly cheap and some places, like Laser Quest, let moms play for free on Mother’s Day. Bless you, Laser Quest. We will gladly fork over $10 for our mom’s love.
Cost estimate: $10 (for your ticket)
Time estimate: 30 minutes
7. Help her tear up that bucket list.
Secret: you don’t trade in a bucket list for a college diploma. I bet even your mom has a list of things she’s always wanted to do. Try to think back to a time when she said, “Uh, I’ve always wanted to do _________.” Now, make that happen for her. If she’s always wanted to visit the terribly cliché but nevertheless dreamy NYC, then buy two bus tickets—one for her and one for you.
Cost estimate: TBD
Time estimate: Not sure. How long does it take to make dreams come true?
8. Offer up your ears.
Don’t go all Van Gogh on us quite yet. Offer up your undivided attention and just let your mom go off on a rant about her stupid freakin’ boss or a trip down Nostalgia Lane. Cindy Xu, so-thoughtful-she’s-making-the-rest-of-us-look-terrible daughter of Echo Shi, said, “You know how your mom always asks, ‘How are you? How was school?’ and you just go on and on. How many of us actually ask them about their day?” Bonus: you can get some killer blackmail on your mom. That’s the spirit on Mother’s Day, right?
Cost estimate: Free
Time estimate: 1 hour-1 year
9. Laugh in her face.
Auditory proof that their children are happy? That’s the dream. Lea Tremblay, mom of three teenage boys who she would, if she could, talk about non-stop for three years straight, said, “This year, I want them to just be with me, watching them laugh in a natural state. No stress. No reasons to be on edge.” Gift giving just became as easy as one, two, laugh. Too cheesy?
Cost estimate: Nada
Time estimate: Lung capacity?
10. Pull a disappearing act (for just one act).
After a fabulous day well-spent together, give her some quality me, myself and I time. Kristin Gauthier, mom of the next Gerber baby, immediately replied, “Peace and quiet.” While a lil’ baby is, hopefully, a bigger handful than your twenty-year-old self, there’s still value in offering your mom some solitude. Let her rest while you make dinner or clean the house. She just may create a “Best Kid Ever” Day for your fly self.
Cost estimate: Priceless (you’re welcome)
Time estimate: 1-3 hours
Check out 10 more gift ideas for your Mom this Mother’s Day.
11. Buy her Flowers
When was the last time you asked your mom her favorite type of flower? I’ll bet they aren’t the five-dollar rainbow daisies you can get at the grocery store. Make an effort to discover her favorite and, most importantly, why she loves them. “I know that flowers may seem like a classic, but I really love yellow tulips. Every time I get them it brings a smile to my face. So, if you want to go with flowers make sure that instead of [the] first bouquet you will see you buy her favorites,” College Magazine writer Daria Wilk’s mother said. I promise, if you put the effort in, your mom will notice. Need I say more?
Cost estimate: $25-$40
Time estimate: 5 minutes
12. Candles
I’ll bet your mom has a candle going whenever she’s home. That’s why you could never smell your sweaty feet after practice as a kid. Head over to Bath and Body Works and find some candles or scent boosters that you know your mom loves. There’s a huge selection of candles and other scented goods that your mom will be forever grateful for when the dog tracks in…something brown.
Cost estimate: $20
Time estimate: 30 minutes
13. Gift Cards
Though they may seem rather impersonal, you know the things your mom likes and needs. A gift card gives her the freedom to decide when, how and on what she wants to use it. “Gift cards for a massage or a mani/pedi allow me to make an appointment that best fits my schedule and allows me to indulge in relaxation and be pampered without feeling guilty for spending money myself,” College Magazine writer Emily Grill’s mother said. Your mom deserves a nice shopping spree, a massage, or to get her nails done. Giving a gift card allows her to do that, but on her time.
Cost estimate: $30-$50
Time estimate: 5 minutes
14. Make her Dinner
How many times has your mom cooked you an amazing meal? More than you can count? That’s what I thought. It’s your turn to pay her back with some food of your own. Don’t stress if you can barely make ramen, look up some easy dinner recipes that you can master and channel that inner Gordon Ramsay. “It would be nice to have dinner made for me, I know it would be made with love that way,” College Magazine Editorial Director Kendall Russell’s mother said. That’s the key ingredient in any meal, love. So, get into that kitchen, chop up your veggies and if it ends up burnt, there’s always takeout.
Cost estimate: $20-30
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
15. Do Something Unexpected (that’ll make her happy)
What’s that one thing your mom’s always wanted you to do but you just haven’t gotten around to? Filling out that job application? Scheduling your own doctor’s appointment? Getting an oil change (finally)? It’s the little things that can make a real difference. “Actually accepting my offer to pay for you to have the most deluxe haircut would make a wonderful Mother’s Day present,” College Magazine writer Ayden Herold’s mother said. You never know what small things can really make your moms day in the long run.
Cost estimate: Depends on what you’ve been procrastinating!
Time estimate: That’s on you
16. Pet Accessories
Do you have a furry brother or sister that your mom might just like more than you? I mean, can you blame her? Find a cute cat sweater or a new dog collar for your furry friend. Or, buy her a month’s supply of pet food to save her the extra cost. She’ll appreciate the thought and she won’t need to lug the heavy bags into the house this time.
Cost estimate: $30
Time estimate: 30 minutes
17. Send her a Care Package
Sadly, not everyone can spend time with their moms on Mother’s Day. But don’t worry! There’s plenty you can do to make sure your mom still knows you love her. When was the last time you sent your mom some mail? Compile some of her favorite things or even things you know she uses on the daily. Don’t forget to include a heartfelt handwritten note either. “I always value a card over material gifts, because sentiments are cherished forever,” College Magazine writer Margo Cerrone’s mother said. Include a little post-it note on each item with why it reminds you of your mom. She’ll love it, I promise.
Cost estimate: Just postage
Time estimate: 30 minutes-1 hour
18. Spend the Day with Her
Quality time can really make the best gift of all. It could be as simple as lounging around the house watching movies and snacking on popcorn. Don’t overthink it. “A day with my kids and husband [with] a nice meal where I don’t have to cook. Even like a fun day trip or something as long as we’re all together,” College Magazine writer Maddie Bergstrom’s mother said. It takes minimal effort to plan out a relaxing day together. Maybe treat her to dinner at that restaurant she’s been talking about all month.
Cost estimate: Next to nothing
Time estimate: One day
19. Buy Her a Houseplant
Flowers are nice and all but they’ll die quickly. Gift your mom a plant that she can (hopefully) keep alive for months on end. Try something like a snake plant or pothos for beginners. Head to your local nursery, home improvement store, or even Walmart and seek out a little green beauty that screams mom. Buy a cute pot to repot it so that it matches your mom’s décor and you’re all set! This way, every time she goes to take care of it, she’ll remember you.
Cost estimate: $20-40
Time estimate: 1 hour
20. Show your Mom you’re Adulting
What do mom’s want more than for their kid to grow up happy, successful and most importantly, healthy? Maybe that mani/pedi gift card. But other than that, your mom’s main goal is to watch you grow into the best you can be. “I just want my children to be happy and healthy, apart from that, you can never go wrong with some beautiful flowers,” College Magazine writer Moa Andreasson’s mother said. Prove to your mom that you are crushing this adulting stuff (even if you still can’t make your own doctor’s appointments).
Cost estimate: Nothing
Time estimate: Probably forever?
*Updated on May 5, 2022 by Kendall Russell to include 10 more gifts for mom.
