No Or Low Cost Mother's Day Gift Ideas

It's Mother's Day this Sunday and if you haven't bought a gift yet or are struggling to find the funds to get your mum something nice, the following articles list a selection of cheap gift ideas which are within most people's budgets - or even free.  Just click on the link.

Every mum wants the chance to relax!

32 Fun & Unique Mother's Day Gifts On The Cheap - Moneycrashers.com

This is an American site so the costs are in dollars but the ideas would work just as well here.

Sample ideas:-

* Create a Memory Journal

"Every family has made plenty of funny, sad, and crazy memories over the years... Ask everyone in the family to write down their favorites in a journal. It can be serious or silly, whatever you choose, and you can continue to add to the memory journal when the next Mother’s Day rolls around.

* Give the Gift of Sleep

For mums of babies or young kids, this is the ultimate gift. Let her sleep in for once, and make sure she knows beforehand that she has the entire morning to lie in bed. Alternatively, consider setting aside a few hours during the day for a much-needed nap...

Last Minute Mother's Day Gifts That Are Cheap, Easy & Surprisingly Thoughtful - Time.com

9 more brilliant ideas from our friends over the Pond.

Sample idea:-

* List the reasons you love her

Among the DIY Mother's Day gifts suggested by Today.com is a decorated mason jar stuffed full of adorable and funny messages about why mom is the greatest. For example: "You give the best hugs," or "You don't snore as loud as dad." The idea is that mom can open up the jar each day or whenever she needs a pick-me-up, and get a reminder about how amazing she is, and how much all of you appreciate her".

24 Ridiculously Easy DIY Mother's Day Gifts - Buzzfeed.com

Sample ideas:-

* Transform thrifted tea cups into candles to dress up any tea party.

* Stencil your mom's most inspiring words on a tea towel to let her know you've been listening.

* Make a DIY box for your mum's favourite bon-bons

Cheap Mother's Day Gift Ideas - The Balance

Sample idea:-

* Cut flowers are nice, but they don't last very long. For a gift with longer-lasting appeal, choose a flowering perennial for her garden instead – she'll enjoy your gift this Mother's Day and every one thereafter. For an even cheaper take on this idea, just place a packet of seeds inside a card, and schedule a time to help her plant them.

So there you have it - plenty of ideas to make Mum's day special.  In my book though, you can't go wrong with letting Mum have a nice lie in and bringing her a cup of tea in bed.  Bliss!

What's your favourite Mother's Day treat?

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Win A Mother's Day Bundle Of Supplements & Soothers

If you're struggling to come up with a Mother's Day present for a health-conscious mum, Discount Supplements have come up with a range of great ideas that all offer something different. They also offer free UK delivery and same day despatch.

And I have a one bundle to give away of the lucky winner's choice.  Read on to find out how to enter.

For the mum to be

It's so important to take Folic Acid during pregnancy. It is recommended that expectant mums take a prenatal vitamin with the recommended 400 micrograms of folic acid before and during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects of the baby's brain and spinal cord.

Magnesium is also important in pregnancy as research suggests that adequate Magnesium during pregnancy can help prevent the uterus from contracting prematurely.  It also helps build strong teeth and bones in your baby.  Taking a Magnesium bath, it is suggested, can be a more effective way of absorbing this mineral than oral supplements.  You can also use these Magnesium flakes as a relaxing footbath - great for soothing those aching swollen feet and ankles.

Or there's also a soothing sea salt bath which is ideal for those with sensitive skin and is gentle on scar tissue.

For the new mum

I took Vitabiotics Pregnacare® throughout my two pregnancies and this bundle contains Vitabiotics Pregnacare® New Mum and Pregnacare® Breastfeeding which is carefully formulated by experts, with essential vitamins, minerals and DHA, to help support all-round health and vitality including iron which contributes to normal energy release.

Pregnacare® Breast-feeding can also be taken as a general postnatal supplement for 6-9 months following childbirth, to replace depleted nutrients and assist the body following pregnancy, even if you are not breast-feeding.

This bundle also includes Yogi Organic Womens Balance Tea, Dead Sea Magik Skin Softener and Vitabiotics Wellkid Baby Drops, a vitamin and mineral supplement for babies aged  4-12 months.

For the mature mum

This is my bundle!  It contains a great Vitamin B complex, anti ageing oil from Green People and Vitabiotics Menopace Plus Botanicals.  These are formulated for women during and after the menopause and contain Soya Isoflavones, Sage, Flaxseed Lignans and Green Tea.

There is also Health Aid Vitamin A Cream.  A recent study suggests that applying Vitamin A to the skin improves the appearance of wrinkles and promotes the production of skin-building compounds, it may also even help with age spots.

Health Aid Vitamin A Cream. Health Aid Vitamin A cream combines vitamin A with lypozomes, which help to prevent skin cells from clustering in pores (which cause a dullness of skin tone) as well as stimulating healthy skin growth. Vitamin A is one of the most important nutrients for healthy, youthful-looking skin.

You can find out more at www.discount-supplements.co.uk.

Giveaway

I have one of these bundles to give away - the winner can choose which bundle they would prefer. Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply.  (Please see my competition page).  UK entrants only.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 17th March.  

Please note that the contents of the bundle may vary slightly depending on stock availability. Whilst every attempt will be made to deliver the prize in time for Mother's Day, this is not guaranteed.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck.

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Mother's Day Giveaway: Win A Krug Baumen Watch Worth Up To £200

Mother's Day in the UK this year falls on Sunday 26th March and I am looking forward to breakfast in bed from Caitlin and Ieuan.

This usually consists of a cup of tea (made by Mat) and a Hot Cross Bun (also prepared by Mat) which is then eaten by Caitlin and Ieuan while I drink the tea, the four of us squished up in our rickety wooden double bed.

If you would like to inject a little glamour into Mother's Day this year for your mum (or if you're a parent, guardian or carer who feels in need of a little reward for all your hard work),  I have a beautiful watch from the Krug Baumen watch to give away from Watches2U and you can choose one from this range up to the value of £200 for either women - or men.

That should certainly earn you a few brownie points to smooth over your past indiscretions (such as being collected from school when you were 'ill' in order to spend an afternoon in bed being fed tea and toast whilst listening to the radio).

Krug Baümen offer a wide range of watches from classical dress watches to robust sports watches and their classically styled dress timepieces can be worn to formal occasions and corporate occasions, thanks to their elegant leather straps, minimalist dials, and stylish touches - suitable for mums everywhere.

These are my favourites from Krug Baumen.

Krug Baumen Ladies Principle Diamond Chronograph Watch - £195

This is a Seiko VD53 analogue ladies wristwatch built by Krug Baümen. It has a tan leather strap with a metal case that compliments the cream dial and comes with a 2 year manufacturers' warranty.

Krug Baumen Ladies Tuxedo Black Gold Watch - £145

This wrist watch (1965KL-G) comes with a gold metal bracelet and a case which compliments the black dial.

Or how about the Krug Baumen Charleston 4 Diamond White Dial Gold Strap wristwatch?

Krug Baumen Charleston 4 Diamond Wristwatch - £175

The 5116DL ladies watch comes with a gold metal bracelet and a metal case combined with a white face.

Of course, there's no reason why the lucky winner couldn't choose a man's watch.

Watches2U is one of the largest online UK watch dealers today and offers free UK delivery as standard with same day dispatch if you order by 4pm Monday to Friday.  They also have a price match service and you can earn VIP points on purchases, reviews and friend referrals.


The Giveaway

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply which you can find on my competitions page - along with lots of other great giveaways.

UK entrants only.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 17th March.

The lucky winner can select one watch from the Krug Baumen range up to the value of £200.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Win Mum A Framed Print From The Comic Art Website Worth £70

When I was growing up, the Beano and Dandy comics were immensely popular.  We all knew that Gnasher was not an ideal pet and we had friends who behaved a lot like Dennis The Menace or Minnie The Minx.

Spinach was the super-food Popeye relied on and it presumably kept Olive Oyl skinny. They were fore-runners of the Mediterranean diet in the days when the height of gastronomic pleasure was a rum baba at the Wimpy and one of those strange bendy segmented sausages on a mixed grill the same size as your postcode district.

Today, these iconic characters live on and comic art is enormously popular.  I have recently discovered The Comic Art website which features the wonderful work of artist John Patrick Reynolds.

John Patrick Reynolds' cotton paper screen prints of classic British comics including The Beano, The Dandy and Victor have become collectors' items since their first appearance in the 1990s and received praise from the BBC, the Observer and the Daily Express, among others.

All the images started life in comics but can be appreciated in their own right, independently of the stories they were created for.

There are images from several categories of comic:

British classics from the UK’s top comic publisher DC Thomson, including such icons as Dennis the Menace, Desperate Dan, Minnie the Minx and the Bash St Kids from The Beano and The Dandy.

American stars Popeye and Olive Oyl

Scottish favourites Oor Wullie and The Broons, also from DC Thomson, but this time The Sunday Post

Boys’ own adventure heroes

French creations Asterix, Obelix and the hound Dogmatix.

The paper used is cotton, mould-made paper milled in Somerset and the prints come in three formats – from 19x26cms to 38x48cms and 56x76cms. Commissions are also available.

If, like me, your mum was a fan of characters such as Dennis, Minnie or Betty Boop not only would a print be a unique gift but it may also become a collectors' piece too.

I have a framed print of your choosing to the value of £70 to give away.  Entry is via the Rafflecopter and the giveaway ends at midnight on Tuesday 1st March 2016.  UK entrants only.  Terms and conditions are on my competitions page.

The winner must supply their details by Wednesday 2nd March if the print is to be given as a present on Mothers' Day.

Good luck!


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Review: albumcards - Music To Mum's Ears This Mother's Day

Albumcards is a unique online service that offers a really different way to send a personalised greetings card and music gift.

Ideal for Mother's Day, the card comes complete with your message, the front cover of your mum's favourite album, a full track listing and a unique code to start listening.



An albumcard, fizz, flowers and chocs by Thorntons - what mum could ask for more?



If, like me, you are rushed for time, an albumcard can be purchased in a couple of minutes.

Just select the album, personalise the card, choose your delivery date and address and checkout.

If you are already familiar with other online card retailers, you will know the drill. At a cost of £9.99 plus postage (just 0.75p for first class delivery), it is a very reasonably priced gift. Plus if you order your albumcard before 2pm Monday to Friday, it can be delivered next day.

New albums are being loaded everyday and there are already 100 artist albums to choose from.

I found "Title" by Meghan Trainor, "Uptown Special" by Mark Ronson and "A Perfect Contradiction" by Paloma Faith but there is also AC/DC's "Rock or Bust" and "The Very Best of Stone Roses" - something for every taste.



Redeeming your album on receipt of your card is really easy too. Simply go to the website www.albumcards.com and select "Redeem a card".



Select "Collect my album" and you will be guided through the next steps.



You will need to create an account or, if you are already registered, you can sign in with Facebook.



You will need to enter the unique code found at the bottom of your card.



Then just press the "Listen Now" button.



Click on the album cover.



And either play via the website or download. The sound quality is an excellent MP3 320kbps.

Despite my mild to middling technophobia these days, I found the whole redemption process really easy.

albumcards are certainly a brilliant gift idea for Mother's Day.

Further information available from www.albumcards.com. The "I Love Mum" chocolate cups are available from Thorntons at £3.50.

*A PR sample was sent for the purpose of this post.

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Raise A Glass On Mother's Day

I love a glass of chilled rosé and this one from Gallo Family Vineyards is sweet and light-bodied with the taste of ripe nectarine and juicy pomegranate.

It would complement a variety of dishes like smoked salmon, salad, strawberries and cream or, my favourite, a slice of Victoria sponge.

Gallo Family Vineyards Pink Moscato - £6.99 

Or how about a glass of Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato, which is a light to medium-bodied white, with notes of peach, citrus, pineapple and orange blossom? 

Gallo say this wine will complement light Thai food, creamy chicken dishes and vanilla desserts.

Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato - £6.99

For further information go to www.gallofamily.co.uk

If your mum prefers not to drink alcohol or is a mum-to-be, a great alternative is Shloer Celebration, an alcohol-free bubbly.

#SayItWithShloer Celebration at just £2.99 a bottle 

The Celebration range comes in two delicious flavours; White Bubbly and Pink Fizz. The White Bubbly has a crisp and full bodied flavour from the very best in white grape juices. 

The Pink Fizz combines the vibrant flavours of red and white grape juice. 

Both are best served chilled.

Shloer contains no preservatives, artificial colours, sweeteners or flavourings and comes in eleven flavours, including White Grape, Red Grape, Rosé, Apple & White Grape, White Grape Raspberry & Cranberry, White Grape & Elderflower, Berry Punch, Celebration Pink Fizz, Celebration White Bubbly and new Shloer Light Red Grape and Light White Grape.



And this Mother's Day, Shloer are running a competition. 

For the chance to win a bespoke gift bag, complete with a bottle of Celebration, tell them why your mum deserves a sparkling treat using #SayItWithShloer. 

Their Twitter ID is @shloerofficial and you can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shloer.

Shloer is available at supermarkets nationwide at £2.99 / 75 cl.

For further information go to www.shloer.com

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Ideas For A Mother's Day Mani With Nella Milano

Mother's Day falls on Sunday 15 March this year and already I am thinking carefully about what to get my mum and mother-in-law (the Husband needs some strategic prodding), plus what exciting items to put on my 'list' for the kids. 

This generally results in a hot cross bun and a cup of tea in bed prepared by the Husband under instruction from Caitlin and Ieuan, said bun being duly eaten by the pair of them with me having to brush spiky crumbs from the bedding for about 15 minutes afterwards.

Anyway, over the next couple of weeks I will be bringing you one or two ideas with which to treat your mum and first up are these lovely nail varnishes from new label Nella Milano who I am reliably informed, were the darlings of London Fashion Week Show's end party.

Independent label Nella Milano offers stunning colour rich nail lacquers that are "effortlessly stylish, elegant and long lasting", taking inspiration from the Italian fashion capital of Milan. 

The varnishes are long lasting and there is a gorgeous range of colours which should please those of us that like something a little funkier on our nails than light pink.

For the more adventurous mum Nella has bright yellows, zingy oranges and verdant greens in their popular Four Seasons range that retail at £8.95 per bottle.

The Four Seasons Collection - Evergreen, Lemon Sherbet, Chilli Blaze & Crystal Coral

The Amador collection colours range from girlie pinks to the vibrant 'Fiery Flamenco'.  

This collection includes soon-to-be classics such as the subtle 'Pinkiefield' to the audacious 'Cheery Bon Bon', as well as three other bang on trend colours.

The Amador Collection - Cheery Bon Bon, Sweetie Darling, Pinky Ponk, Pinkiefield and Fiery Flamenco

Cheery Bon Bon - £8.95

Pinkiefield- £8.95

Fiery Flamenco - £8.95

If your mum loves her lilacs and purples you won’t go wrong with Nella’s Forget-Me-Not and Tyrian ranges of delicate lilacs and punchy purples and hues of blue. 

I love the head turning deep violet shade of Madame Pompadour and a Royal Affair which is a rich and sumptuous purple.

Madame Pompadour - £8.95

 A Royal Affair - £8.95

I particularly love that each varnish comes with its own back story.  For example:-

"Pinkiefield - Nella loves the gig and the gentle, easy-going pink of her Pinkiefield nail lacquer. 

There is not one man who doesn't want to dance with Nella and there is not one woman who doesn't want to borrow her light pink nail varnish".

"Madame Pompadour" - Nella wants to turn heads with a show-stopping look for a big night out. 

She knew that the deep violet had just the right head-turning, dramatic decadence for a bold appearance worthy of the red carpet!

At £8.95, these beautiful varnishes are reasonably priced and a little piece of London Fashion Week fabulousness.  (I can only assume the kids shredded my invite).

And besides, how can you fail to love a label that names one of its varnishes "Pinky Ponk".

Nella Milano varnishes are available from nailpolishdirect.co.uk.

*PR samples were received for the purpose of this post.

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