Give mom a great mother's day - without breaking the bank.

Giving mom a day to remember doesn't need to wipe out your bank account. Sometimes, a cheaper, yet thoughtful, gift can mean a lot more than the overpriced flowers that everybody else is receiving on Mother's day. In honor of mothers around the globe, we've created a list of frugal, yet thoughtful and considerate ideas and gifts you can put together for Mom.

• Figure out what indulgence your mother has been foregoing due to the recession, whether it be Godiva chocolates, a luxury body lotion from Bath and Body Works, or a $20.00 gift card to Starbucks to get a few lattes, Mom will appreciate having the small luxury back in her life.
• Breakfast in bed! Pull out the Belgian waffle maker and bring mom a nice breakfast. Bonus points if you let her sleep in!
• Take a favorite photo and take it to any photo processing center. They will blow it up for you, make it black and white or use photo restoration to make it even better than the original. Frame it and watch her eyes light up.
• Visit a nearby botanical garden.
• Year long subscriptions to many fashion,beauty, cooking, and home making magazines can be purchased for under $20.00. She will think of the lovely day you gave her every month until next Mother's day.
• Practical gifts. Long after the holiday is over, she will appreciate a $25.00 gift card to the local grocery store. Put it in a nice gift card tin with a note and piece of chocolate.
• Make mom her favorite sweet bread (i.e. Banana bread, pumpkin loaf, etc.) Serve it with butter, jam, or cream cheese.
• Try finding a restaurant that offers a free or reduced rate to moms on Mother's day. (See below FREE/REDUCED PRICE OFFERS)
• Make your card the feature of the whole gift. Get everybody to sign it, including small children and toddlers.
• Create a unique canvas tote. For $3-4 you can get a plain canvas bag. Trace all the children in the family and extended family's hands on the bag.
• Pack a picnic with Mom's favorite lunch foods. Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the park setting, feeding the ducks, or taking a walk.
• Fill an inexpensive basket with lots of small goodies found at the dollar store or in the clearance bin at other chain stores. Decorate the basket with ribbons/bows
• Create or purchase a recipe book, present it with complete ingredients for one of the recipes.
• Buy a digital photo frame.  One with a 7 inch display can be had for less than $39 now.  And, you can pre-load some of her favorite memories for her.

Free/ reduced price Mothers Day offers (Valid on Mother's day ONLY, unless otherwise noted)

• Free 3-course meal for mom at Carino's (with purchase of entree)
• Free small cup or cone at TCBY for moms
• Free dessert for Mom at T.G.I. Fridays with purchase of meal.
• Free E-cards for Mother's day at 123greetings (Always valid)
• Live in Texas? Mothers eat free (Buy one meal, get one for mom FREE) at Texas De Brazil. Must have coupon! (Below)