With Mother's Day right around the corner, you may be wondering what to get the leading lady in your life. In addition to watching your budget, it can be challenging to figure out just what Mom wants. With the average American expected to shell out over $170 on flowers, jewelry, gift cards and a meal out, it's important to mind your wallet when searching for that perfect present.
To find a gift that counts and fits in your budget, consider her hobbies and lifestyle and then follow this guide of top gifts and savings tips for all kinds of moms.
Athletic Mom
If your mom puts your workout game to shame, consider a gift inspired by her active lifestyle. A new gym bag from Activyst, for example, is a great gift that also gives back: 10% of the purchase price provides safe game transport for three girls in Nicaragua, the country from which the bag's materials are sourced. Additionally, sign up for the site's newsletter to receive 10% off. You can also find a selection of fitness gear for less at discount retailers like Marshalls and TJMaxx, including yoga mats, pilates DVDs and athletic clothing.
Foodie Mom
For mothers who love all things gastronomical, a basket brimming with unique goodies will make her drool. Mouth.com is a good source for hard-to-find treats and their Mother's Day gift guide features products for moms of every palate. To save 20% on your order, grab a Mouth promo code from CouponSherpa.com. Another gift idea is a home-cooked meal with a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant, so she can enjoy two meals with her favorite people!
Gardening Mom
Moms who enjoy getting their hands dirty should not be given a basic bouquet of flowers. Instead, take advantage of spring gardening sales at home improvement stores and put together a bucket of essentials for a fun twist on a traditional gift basket. For example, organic potting soil can be fetched for as little as $3 from Lowe's, while Home Depot shoppers can find special pricing on annuals, small fruit trees and other spring blooms.
Wonder Mom
The mom with mile-long to-do lists who still finds time to watch your kids or listen to you vent about work deserves a timeout. Channel your inner child and put together a homemade beauty recipe for a body scrub, face mask or hair treatment made with products from your pantry. Pair this item with a gift certificate from SpaFinder, which you can purchase for 20% off from Costco. For moms who prefer to decompress with a cup of tea, a pretty gift box with four delicious teas from TeaBox will hit the spot (and won't break the bank at just $25!).
All-Natural Mom
Gifts for the naturalist can range from earth-based products to a pampering session featuring all-natural treatments. Since Mother's Day is a big event for beauty providers, there are plenty of deals featuring discounts and free gifts. For example, Origins is offering the Power Anti-Agers Gift Set for $65 (valued at over $100), plus three free deluxe samples and a cosmetics bag with $45 purchase. For all-natural pampering sessions, consult Groupon or LivingSocial for daily deals from local spas and salons.
Fashion-Forward Mom
The mom whose style you emulate should receive something fashionable on Mother's Day. Since she likely has a particular taste, opt for an accessory over an apparel item, unless you know she's been eyeing a specific garment. Fossil is offering free embossing and engraving in-store and online through May 1, enabling shoppers to customize classic watches, clutches and other accessories. Another option is the Village Ways Cashmere Wool Scarf from Ann Taylor, sourced from female artisans in the Himalayas and currently on sale for 50% off.
Tech-y Mom
The gadget lover will always welcome new tech products designed to make life easier, or at the very least more fun. Gift these moms with an Olliclip 4-in-1 Lens, the iPhone camera add-on that offers fisheye, wide-angle and macro 10x and 15x capabilities to her smartphone's camera. If gadget research leaves you feeling underwhelmed, there's always the go-to gift of a new smartphone or tablet cover. Find your mom's favorite art or customize a cover with photos of her family. Receive 25% off photo gifts from Walgreens, or get a case for yourself too from SkinIt and buy one, get one 50% off.