A few months before hand plant seeds and by Mother’s Day you will have plants to gift them.
Go for a walk in the bush, pick gum leaves and nuts and other little flowered plants, dry them out and then put them in a bunch. That’s a bunch of flowers that only cost you time and they will last for years.
Make them a printed photo album of your family. A memorabilia present is always a hit for grandparents. They can cost about $20 online.
Look for clearance items all year round and by Mother’s Day you can put together a gift basket.

I thought the latest comment was good and then realised it was from me

Pot some plants from your garden. They make wonderful gifts and are inexpensive.

As a mother myself, I enjoy the simple things. Pressies the kids made at school or day care are worn or displayed with pride. Then a meal altogether, maybe a picnic or barbecue to few everyone outside. That’s what I enjoy and doesn’t cost too much money wise, just an investment of time

Hand made stuff is the best depending on what your parents like. Get kids to join in and do some artwork or make some soaps, pot pouri, or even just grab some flowers from the garden!

Target, Kmart have some great priced gifts!

Home made gifts are lovely and even a lovely card with some beautiful personal words on it.

make something with your own hands … I love the DYI”S that my kids make ….nothing better and more from the heart

One of my work colleagues buys a few food items she knows her Mum likes but will not buy herself. They don’t have to be expensive items. Another lady I know, her Mum is on a pension and living alone. They don’t have the same tastes in clothing etc., so she buys her groceries which gives her the Mum ther money left over to spend on what she would like. She buys non perishable items. You don’t have to buy them all at the same time. You can buy one or two things a month in advance. They don’t have to be expensive items, just things you know she uses.

Probably too late to help you for this Mother’s Day – but next year consider making a Treasure box or jar. Fill with lots of little things that mean something – little hearts, a photo of a special occasion, glitter, something homemade, a note that says I love you – a little box of big gestures!

Get the kids to make something. A card drawing is more sentimental

You could also get a reprint of a fav photo of when you were little – ie if you have a photo of the 2 of you (or if you have other siblings). I did this for my dad one year and he seemed to really like it. people forget what’s in their albums!

A book of vouchers – that is – vouchers made by you for services you will provide – cleaning, cooking, massage or whatever you are good at (maybe 1hr of gardening). Big W have cheap frames (under $5) and photos of the grandkids are always appreciated, if you have any plants that can be used as cuttings – take a cutting and put it in a nice pot (dollar shop have some), I made shortbread bikkies for my husband and put them in an old moconna (glass coffee jar) and dressed it up with some string

You could offer to clean their houses, cook a nice meal, bake something and wrap it in some nice paper, mow the lawn. Mother’s day doesn’t have to be all about how much money you spend. Spend the day together instead, go for ice cream or to the park and have a BBQ with your mother and children. Don’t sweat it, I am sure if you are under financial stress your mum will understand. Do something from the heart instead. I always appreciate the thought behind something more than the gift itself. Make something or do something with your mum. There is only so much time in this world and I’d rather spend time with my child than have them send me a nice gift.

I love an updated photo of my grandkids, & there has been a new addition each Mother’s Day for the past 5 years!

As a mother myself, I will think being able to spend time with your children would be a wonderful thing.
So cook her favourite food, pick her some flowers from the garden, talk and eat with her will be nice in my opinion.

Thank you for the ideas
I ended up doing a small hamper basket of makeup and some candles etc. I have also decided that since her birthday is early june i will find a collage photo frame and print out photos for it to hang on her wall. I sadly dont have much chance to see her thanks to some hard circumstances. And atleast this way in betweem her seeing us she can see her grandkids

I love potted Chrysanthemums. Over the years I have given my mum several of these, the size of the plant depends on the price I could afford. They are cheap at Bunnings.
Now I am waiting for my kids to buy me some!
Maybe I need to hint more.

I am an older mum and I would love to have a morning devonshire tea prepared and served by one of my children. A beautifully set table. Beautiful tea sets. Hot scones with jam and cream in pretty dishes. A small posy of little flowers on the table and attractive napkins. How wonderful would this Mother’s Day gift be? Presents are often not appreciated because as we get older we have all we need and want.

Have you thought of making up a little ticket book of jobs to be done around the house or a trip book of places or things to do with your mother or a ticket for a cooked meal or one time my daughter got her children to make things for me a painting of the family and she put it in frame .