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20 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Under $20

April 29, 2016 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

I don’t know about you, but I often find it hard to ask for things that I “want.” So when people like my hubby and mom ask what I’d like for my birthday, or for Mother’s Day, I often gravitate toward the things I need. (Honestly, let’s be real, sometimes I just *need* a nap or a clean house). While a clean home is very much welcome as a gift, I think it’s also important to pamper and shower our mamas with gifts come Mother’s Day. But you don’t have to break the bank to do so either.

So, here’s a list of things that I think any mother would love for Mother’s Day — in addition to the free stuff you can give her too, like homemade coupon books and a nap.

Hint: most of these gifts are about pampering, because honestly, the one thing I know I want (and I’m guessing other mothers do too)? A relaxing day — with a nice balance of alone time as well as time with my little family. (This post contains affiliate links.)

1. Manicure
There’s something supremely relaxing about someone doing your nails (and it’s not just because they often include a hand massage). Plus, pretty nail colors!

2. Necklace
Jewelry is always a welcome gift, but there are ways of making it more personalized. Perhaps give a birthstone necklace, or a necklace made from breast milk (seriously!). Or a necklace etched with the children’s names.

Bubble bath3. Photo book
Create a keepsake using photos from the past year or so with sites like Shutterfly. As I’ve heard (and I agree with), the days can be long, but the years short. And it can be fun to be nostalgic.

4. Movie ticket
Sometimes mama just wants some ‘me’ time and a solo movie ticket is a great way to do just that.

5. Lunch gift card
To go with that movie ticket, perhaps give her a lunch card to her favorite restaurant. After all, the gift of enjoying lunch without being in a rush is priceless.

6. Water bottle with flavor infuser
Keep mama hydrated, no matter how busy she is, with a water bottle. What makes this bottle different is that you can infuse the water with fruit, making it even easier to drink plenty of water.

7. Fun Coffee Mug
Chances are mom’s other fuel is in the form of coffee. Get a fun mug that will also bring a smile to her face. Etsy has lots of options, like a mug that says “mom, you’re a freakin rockstar.”

8. Makeup
Eye shadow. Lipstick. Lip liner. When it comes to makeup, there’s lots of fun and easy goodies to pick out that don’t require color matching!

9. Leggings
If she’s anything like me, she lives in leggings most days. My current favs include Halara leggings — they have pockets!

10. Journal
There are lots of things for mom to remember, and there is a lot she thinks about — her dreams, for her, for her kids, for her family. Give her a place to write it all down with a beautiful journal.

11. Snack box
Moms tend to share food with the little ones. Get her a snack box that’s all hers with something like this from Harry and David.

12. Pasta meal (aka, a night off from cooking)
On Mother’s Day, give her a gift she really wants – a night off cooking. Make some pasta for her and the kiddos, and plan to enjoy it all together.

13. Chocolate
Don’t forget dessert… but maybe give her this gift after the kids go to bed.

14. Bubble Bath
One of the most relaxing things for a mom to do is to take some time to herself. A bubble bath — such as with lavender chamomile — is a lovely way to do just that.

15. Bath Salts
Bubbles not your mama’s cup of tea? Bath salts are also wonderfully relaxing as they offer a variety of soothing smells.

16. Candles
Help your mom set a relaxing mood with a candle or two in some of her favorite scents. Propensity Candles make a great gift; not only are they hand poured but they benefit women who recently were resettled from refugee camps.

17. Bottle of Wine
This one needs no explanation.

18. Stemless glasses
If mom already has plenty of wine, get her some new, cute, wine glasses to go with it like these “Mommy’s sippy cup” glasses.

19. Flowers
Spring has sprung, and a beautiful colorful bouquet is a simple but welcome gesture. That goes well with the wine… or the chocolate. Take your pick!

20. “Year of Yes,” by Shonda Rhimes
Whether she’s a fan of TGIT shows from Shonda Rhimes, this is a book a lot of moms can love. Rhimes’s book, “Year of Yes,” is all about tossing fear out the window, dancing it out, and finding yourself — something a lot of moms can relate to. I know I can.

I hope this list helped you pick out a gift, or two, for the special mama in your life. Have your own ideas to add? Share them in the comments below!

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Filed Under: Family & Lifestyle, Parenting Tagged With: bubble bath, busy moms, gift guide, gifts, makeup, mom hobbies, mother's day

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authorlizsanfilippohall

Multi-genre author. 📚BECOMING CHARLOTTE CORDAY, a YA historical fantasy coming 4/27/2027 from Apprentice House Press

I’m trying something new... and something that a I’m trying something new... and something that all the “gurus” tell you not to do: I’m turning my blog into what blogs used to be. It will no longer be overly polished or put together. It will stop focusing on SEO. And it will be so much more vulnerable. More about why I’m making this latest pivot over on the blog, naturally. Www.OopsAndDaisies.com#WritingExperiment #AuthorsOfInsta
I laughed, I cried. This book was everything I nee I laughed, I cried. This book was everything I needed and more. Author @alison.espach took something heartbreaking and turned it into something beautiful about how we can embrace who we are. That’s all I’ll say so I don’t give anything away. But you know I can’t help but share a good quote (and there were so many!):“And it was perfect. It really was. But life is strange, always thinking this one thing is going to make you happy, because then you get it, and then maybe you’re not as happy as you imagined you would be, because every day is still just every day.” #AmReading #WomensFiction #5StarRead #BookRecommendation
My deadlines for two projects are approaching… My deadlines for two projects are approaching…But I also need to remind myself that time to create, play, and doodle is important, too. It’s what my family and I have decided is “productive rest.”#AmEditing #HistoricalFantasy #MyPlanner #Creativity
What filled my cup this week…. The views, waves, What filled my cup this week…. The views, waves, games, ice cream, writing… but mostly, time with my family.#SelfCare #Travel #Vacation #PureMichigan
Maybe I should have taken more photos… but once Maybe I should have taken more photos… but once we got to a certain point in the 1,000 piece puzzle it became WAY easier. For me, writing is the same way. Once you start seeing the pieces come together, it starts to feel familiar, and the end is there before you know it. To me, writing is just like putting together a puzzle. #MomLife #CreativeWriting #PuzzleAddict #LakeMichiganLife
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While I’ve been up in Michigan, I’ve been thin While I’ve been up in Michigan, I’ve been thinking about all the different kinds of writing there are, and how energized I feel when I talk about writing with others. So, without further ado, here is the schedule for my next set of VIRTUAL writing workshops! August 26: Postcards and letters - reflective writing with letters we’ll never sendSeptember 16: Sensory writing - embrace the senses to amp up your writingOctober 14: Haunting flash fiction - seasonal and fun flash fictionNovember 18: Family Stories - journaling and oral historyDecember 9: Year in Review, Year Ahead - closing reflections and intentions. All classes include a writing lesson/craft discussion plus time for writing (and feedback on your writing if you want it). They will also be available individually later, if all 25 spots don’t fill up, but I’m giving first dibs to the people who want all 5!Link in my bio and story. #WritingWorkshop #CreativeWriting #FlashFiction
I suppose this is a good problem to have. 🤣🤣 I suppose this is a good problem to have. 🤣🤣🤣#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #PureMichigan
We haven’t had as much time as we’d like outsi We haven’t had as much time as we’d like outside during this trip, but at least cloudy days like today - with a ton of wind - are beautiful.#MyMichigan #Inspiration #LifeWithKids
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