Touching ways to say Happy Mother's Day that won't cost a penny

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that are the most meaningful... These Mother's Day ideas are lovely to receive, and either cheap, or totally free!

I love you note
(Image credit: Rex features)

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that are the most meaningful... These Mother's Day ideas are lovely to receive, and either cheap, or totally free!

Looking for cheap or free Mother’s Day present ideas that are still meaningful? Look no further… 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day we're mums. But there's one day, just the one, that's dedicated to us. One day on which you're allowed to put your feet up and let people shower you with thanks and praise for all that hard work which you put in on all those other days of the year.And whilst gifts and presents are all very well, all we really want is some R&R, a few comforting treats, a glass of something fizzy and something meaningful that makes it all seem worth it.

Plus, we all know that the money for our Mother’s Day presents comes from, well, mum, or dad if we’re lucky – so we’ve been economical with our suggestions too.

This gallery of touching Mother's Day ideas that will cost you next to nothing to put together, but will mean the world to a mum who deserves a little extra recognition for all of her love and caring efforts. Whether it's a handmade card, leaving a sweet note somewhere for her to find or some mother and daughter time, we think you'll agree it's the simple things in life that mums really appreciate the most.

You might want to point your kids in the direction of this selection, or use it to shower your own mum with Mother’s Day love – the choice is yours! Either way, we’re sure the recipient will be thrilled with their priceless present.

Is there a big fuss in your house for Mother's Day? Do you get handmade or free Mother’s Day presents or do the family splash out? Let us know what your family do for you in by leaving us a comment in the box below.

Leave her a touching note

Let your mum know how much you love her by leaving her a touching note for her to find somewhere in the house. It could be in her diary, slipped into the pages of a book she's reading or hidden in the biscuit tin!

Anywhere you think she'll find it and be taken by surprise.

Make a confectionery story poster

Make a confectionery story poster

(Image credit: Sam Tooley Facebook)

This genius idea is one that we spotted on Facebook, and isn't it sweet? It might cost you a few quid to buy all the chocolate, but it's such an inventive way to wish the lovely lady in your life a special day.

The beauty of this idea is that you can make up whatever story you'd like and be really creative with which sweet treats you use, and you can include some presents that they'll have to unwrap to get the next word in the message.

This one, from two daughters to their mum reads:

'It wasn't that long ago that we were [Jelly Tots] and weren't able to tie our [Strawberry Laces] or [Cadbury's Buttons] up our shirts. We more than likely sent you [Foam Bananas] growing up! But now it's time for you to take a [Time Out]!!! As you are always such a [surprise present!]. We did think of going for a [Picnic] on a [surprise present!] or flying across the [Galaxy] into the [Milkyway] even [Mars] but that's just [Rowntree's Randoms]. So instead the two [Curly Wurly]'s have got you some flowers and tickets to the [surprise envelope!] and Stevo is treating us to [surprise present - we're guessing cake] at the [Ritz Crackers].'

Picture taken from: Sam Tooley on Facebook

Draw a heart on her mirror

Lipstick heart on mirror

(Image credit: Rex features)

As long as you don't go too crazy, we reckon this is the one time you're allowed to create a little bit of mess and mum won't mind. Leave a message for her on her mirror, like a heart or a Happy Mother's Day note using lipstick (your own, of course - don't ruin hers!)

Pick her wild flowers

Little girl sitting in a meadow full of flowers

(Image credit: Rex features)

Mother's Day bouquets are expensive and what really matters is that you chose the flowers especially for her, not that they come in a fancy bouquet with posh paper and ribbons.

March is the season for daffodils and blossom so you have a gorgeous bunch of flowers just waiting to be picked outside in your back garden. If you don't have any growing locally, you can usually get a bunch of daffs at the supermarket for around £1.

Treat her to a girly manicure

Girl giving her mum a manicure

(Image credit: Rex features)

Who doesn't love a bit of pampering? It might not exactly be a spa trip, but offering to paint her nails for her and let her sit back for ten minutes means she gets a little bit of me time, a pretty new colour on her nails and time to have a little catch up with you, too.

Make her a homemade card

Mother's Day crafts for kids

(Image credit: goodto.com/Jenny Shepherd)

There are so many Mother's Day cards and gifts out there with the same generic images and poems printed on them. Why not make her something a bit more special than that?

Our in-house crafty mum Jenny has been busy making some gorgeous cards, IOU vouchers and homemade body scrub, and here she tells you how to make them too. These will make a touching sentiment that the kids can make and that she can keep forever.

Say it with a poem

Poetry

(Image credit: Rex features)

If you want to tell her how much you appreciate her but can't quite find the right words to say it, how about printing her out a poem which made you think of her, or which you know she'd love? Just write a little message and sign your name at the bottom for a sentimental gift.

Run her a bath

Rubber duck covered in bubble bath

(Image credit: Rex features)

Clear the bathroom of all things unrelaxing (including the kids' toys and the leaking toothpaste on the side of the sink) and run her a nice hot bubble bath. Leave a good book in there for her to read, a glass of wine and light some candles, and make sure she's undisturbed until she's done. We think this one might be the best of the lot!

Want to do something extra special? Write a message in the condensation on the mirror for her to find when the room steams up.

Make her breakfast in bed

Breakfast in bed

(Image credit: Rex features)

All you'll need for this one are the ingredients for a great brekkie, a boiled egg and soldiers or a bacon sandwich, a glass of juice and a cuppa all brought to her on a tray with her card, and perhaps even a little flower on the side.

See all of our breakfast in bed ideas to inspire you.

Knit her something sweet

Blonde Girl and Bluebird knitted egg cosy

(Image credit: Cute & Easy Knitting by Fiona Goble)

Knitting someone a gift is such a sweet gesture, and we reckon mums would love some little egg cosies (to go on their breakfast in bed) like these! Get the free knitting pattern for these along with many more mumsy ones like bunting, keyrings and clutch bags.

Where to next?

Knit mum a heart for Mother's Day

How to make a pretty paper flower bouquet

Egg-cup candles - so sweet!

Lifestyle Writer

Gemma Chandler is a lifestyle writer specialising in kids' educational media across a range of topics including nature, history, science and geography across digital, print, social media and video channels. She joined Creature & Co. at 2015, shortly becoming Digital Editor of National Geographic Kids magazine.