10 ways to celebrate mum this Mother’s Day without breaking the bank

Mother's Day is the time to roll out the red carpet for the queens of our hearts! But you don't need a royal budget to treat your mum like royalty. With a little creativity and some savvy financial tips, you can create a day filled with love, laughter and lasting memories - without emptying your wallet.  

1. Cook a homemade feast

There's nothing quite like a home-cooked meal to show your mum how much you care. Dive into the kitchen and craft a delicious spread featuring her all-time favourite dishes or a beloved cuisine. Pick recipes that make use of in-season fruit and vegetables to keep ingredient costs down.

Budget tip: If you’re an AMP Bank customer, use the Spaces feature to organise your money for your dinner. Create a space especially for the event so you can put a little away each week and it’s not just one big cost just before the day.

2. Become cleaner for the day

Give your mum the gift of relaxation and a sparkling clean house by offering to be her maid for the day. It's a thoughtful gesture that costs nothing but your time and energy. Plus, it's a great way to spend quality time with her. Use this opportunity to chat and reminisce as you tidy up.

Budget tip: While you're cleaning, use the opportunity to declutter – help her sell anything she wants to get rid of on eBay or Facebook Marketplace and your cleaning will end up making her some extra money!

3. Digitalise old photos and videos

Help your mum preserve precious memories by digitalising her photo albums and home videos on tape. Not only can you reminisce over old baby photos or family holidays, but you can also share the images with other family members and keep the memories going for generations to come. 

Budget tip: Some public libraries offer portable scanners and VHS digitisation equipment you can use or borrow for free. Some libraries even specialise in scanning old film negatives so you can preserve those super old memories that otherwise might be lost to the modern world. 

4. Plan an al fresco high tea

Take advantage of the mild autumn weather and gorgeous golden leaves and plan a high tea in a local park or even in the garden. Bake your own scones and treats (maybe you even have a family recipe you can use to make it extra special!), brew a pot of tea and set the mood with mum’s favourite music.

Budget tip: Decorate your space with DIY paper garlands and flower arrangements from your own garden.

5. DIY spa day at home

Turn your mum's home into a spa for a day of pampering. Set the scene with fluffy robes, classical music and a sweet-smelling candle, then prepare a relaxing bath with a face mask or a manicure.  

Budget tip: You can DIY some of the ingredients to gift to her afterwards, too – with homemade bath salts, clay face mask or a massage oil infused with her favourite essential oils.

6. Write a heartfelt letter

Why spend big when you can tug at the heartstrings for free with a good old-fashioned love letter? Grab a pen and let your words capture mum's heart, with cherished memories and grateful thoughts. 

Budget tip: Make the card yourself – channel your inner Picasso with a drawing or use an old photo of the two of you.

7. Make a bespoke photo calendar

Turn memories into monthly magic with a bespoke photo calendar. Curate your top family snaps and sprinkle in those all-important birthdays, anniversaries and special dates. It’s a thoughtful present that will remind her of you every single day.

Budget tip: You can design this digitally using Canva and print it at home to keep costs low.

8. Get a bouquet of flowers from the market

Farmer's markets often have fresh, seasonal flowers at lower prices than florists. Choose a variety of blooms to create a unique and colourful bouquet that’s perfect for your mum.

Budget tip: Find a vase from a second-hand store to elevate your bouquet while also providing a special piece to keep.

9. Create a custom playlist

Compile a playlist of songs that hold special meaning for your mum. Include her favourite tunes, songs that remind you of her or tracks from memorable family moments. It's a thoughtful and personalised gift that she can enjoy anytime.

Budget tip: While mixtapes and CDs are a thing of the past, you can add her to your family music streaming subscription plan (if she doesn’t have her own) so she can enjoy the music anytime for free.

10. Be a tourist in your own town

Taking mum on a holiday might be out of your budget, but going on a day trip and being a tourist in your hometown is much cheaper – and can be surprisingly fun and adventurous! Pick a part of town you haven’t been before, organise a walking tour, pack a picnic lunch and make sure you take lots of pictures to remember the occasion.

Budget tip: Research free or low-cost attractions in your area. Many towns have museums, art galleries, public gardens or historical sites that offer free entry or discounts for seniors.

Avoid overspending this Mother’s Day

If you’re an AMP bank customer, you can ensure your celebrations remain budget-friendly with the AMP Bank app’s Spending Insights, which can help youkeep track of what you spend. You can also use the Spaces feature to allocate funds for your Mother’s Day gift, making it easy to plan your Mother's Day festivities without financial stress.