Debt and money news – May 2017
This month’s news has been dominated by the upcoming general election, but...
10 ways to treat mum this Mother’s Day
Mum, mam, mother, ma. Whatever you call her, you don’t need to spend lots of money on Mother’s Day to show her you care.
Mums aren’t always into pricey things. In fact, if you go all out with your spending they may worry about how much money you’ve spent. That’s what they’re like.
The truth is: gifts from the heart are better. At Christmas my brother made my mum a scrabble frame featuring words from her life and MY MUM CRIED (with happiness).
If that’s not evidence for thoughtful gifts being better I don’t know what is.
If you want to splash some cash on your mum, it’s fine. But if you’re looking for other ways to treat your mum, this list is for you.
1. Cook her favourite meal
Food is the way to anyone’s heart. I often think about how much time my mum must have spent cooking for me over the years. I like to eat, so it’s a lot.
It’s time to pay back the favour. Cook your mum her favourite meal. Sit down together and have a good chat while you eat. You can’t get much better than that.
2. Make breakfast in bed
This is easier if you’re living at home. Breakfast in bed is the perfect treat. Even if it’s just crumpets and tea (a delicious combination). Or you could do a full-on fry up. And cereal is never a bad thing.
If you’re feeling fancy – why not create a little breakfast menu in advance so she can choose what she wants? There are lots of options.
There are lots of free border templates online that look like menus. Simply choose a design, print it off and write on some breakfast options.
3. Clean the house
There’s nothing better than a clean house. Except perhaps, a clean house cleaned by someone else. Roll up your sleeves, grab a scrubbing brush and give your mum’s house a good clean.
Not only are you giving her the gift of a sparkling house, you’re giving the gift of time too.
While you’re doing it, tell her to relax and watch her favourite film (another prime opportunity to make tea and crumpets for her too).
Of course, some people prefer cleaning their houses themselves, so check that it’s OK first.
4. Make a photo album
Have you got plenty of family photos floating around? Whip them up into a photo album so your mum has a nice, organised book of memories. I found a scrapbook in Wilko for £3 that did the job nicely!
Then you can spend some time together going through the photo album, reminiscing about days gone by.
If you’ve saved mementos from things you’ve done together, you can include those too and make some kind of scrapbook.
5. Wash the car
I don’t have a car. But this task fills me with dread. DREAD. Maybe it’s because I used to do it for my parents when I was a kid. It was always freezing. My hands were cold. Streaks were everywhere. It wasn’t worth the £3.
Don’t allow your mother to have to endure such an awful chore. Put on rubber gloves, grab a bucket and some soapy water and clean the car for her. This isn’t just an outside job though. No, no. Give the inside a good hoover too.
6. Create a home spa
Spa days are often pricey. And there’s the downside of other people being there too. Oh, and let’s not forget the nightmare that is the sauna (or is it just me that hates spas for being too hot?).
Either way, a home spa day is a great alternative to an actual spa because it’s quieter and you can have more treatments (mainly because you’re doing them yourself).
You could run your mum a bubble bath and light some candles. Pound shops always have candles, choose a nice scented one or get some tealights to dot about.
Once your mum has had a bath, offer to paint her nails, give her a foot rub and see if she wants a nice face mask. Lovely stuff!
7. Have a film night
Put together a selection of your mum’s favourite films, or some you know she wants to watch and get some snacks. Then, just sit back and enjoy some films together. Simple.
8. Host a coffee morning
Or afternoon tea. Or a tea morning. Or afternoon coffee. You get the idea? Invite your mum’s friends over, pick up some cakes from the supermarket and arrange them nicely on some plates. Supermarkets tend to have their own brand version of cakes that are pretty tasty. I’m thinking fondant fancies, Victoria sponge, all the classics. You could even make those tiny sandwiches too.
Be on hand to make drinks while your mum and her friends enjoy a well-deserved break.
If you’re feeling extra nice bake your own cakes. This is something I wouldn’t do because I’m so, so terrible at baking. Sorry mum.
9. Hone your DIY skills
If you’re a whizz at DIY – why not fix the things your mum’s been meaning to get round to? Bleed the radiators, put up a new shelf, clean up the scrapes on the wall, weed the garden, change blown light bulbs, fix the washing machine etc.. Ask what she wants doing, and then make the effort to go round and get the job done.
10. Make a coupon book
If you’re feeling generous, give your mum a coupon book full of useful treats. Then she can pick and choose what she wants, when she wants it. There are lots of free examples on the web, although this Mother’s Day coupon book comes with some suggestions already filled in.
Have you got any Mother’s Day treat ideas to add? Let us know in the comments below.
