Mother’s Day Gifts that Won’t Break the Piggy Bank

My Dollar Store finds. Minus the gloves; those got used.

“Do dollar stores offer gifts for Mother’s Day that won’t end up in the Goodwill pile the moment Junior forgets he gave that thing to you?”

This is the question that ran through my brain the other day while I was coasting up and down the aisles of my local dollar store buying paper towels, cleaning supplies and some plastic forks.

I’m not saying I don’t appreciate every handmade card, half-painted frame, noodle necklace, etc., that my kids have given me in the past. I have most of those either displayed or packed away where I can stumble on them and tear up with motherly pride! Except for maybe the noodle necklaces. Those fell prey to the beagle…

But now that they’re getting older, they like to buy things for me (sweet kiddos). And aside from plastic flower decorations that will get dusty in a week and bath stuff that may or may not make one smell like one of those plastic roses, what can consumer-minded kids buy for mom that won’t break their piggy banks?

With some creative aisle cruising, I found two pretty cool Mom Day gifts!

For the Mom who’s a “Cooking Crackerjack”

A quick stroll through the kitchen gadget aisle scored these treasures:

  • Dry-measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • 3-quart mixing bowl with “no-skid” bottom, handle and pouring spout
  • Wooden spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Muffin tin (6-muffin capacity)

All the tools mother and son/daughter will need to whip up some delicious breakfast muffins together on Mother’s Day. The grand total: $6.00 (plus applicable sales tax).

For the Mom who’s a “Gardening Guru”

Tucked away in the “Summer Fun” section of the Dollar store, with all of the beach toys and outdoor fun supplies I found:

  • Plant seeds
  • Pretty gardening gloves
  • Plastic beach shovels and rakes
  • Small ceramic pots
  • Plastic pots (to use as a liner for the ceramic ones)

Toss in some soil, sunshine and water and Mom and child can start a pretty window or patio garden for less than this week’s allowance.

The bonus hidden in these inexpensive gift ideas is they’re also activities that kids can engage in with their moms. Celebrating and spending time with Mom is, after all, the best part of Mother’s Day!

Do you have a favorite Mother’s Day gift? Mine are two tiles. One has my youngest’s hand prints on them, the other, my eldest carved a bird into it. They are on permanent display.

Photo credit: Karen Bristow