26 Budget-Friendly and Unique Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Written by Matt Piqué | 17 March 2025

Savoo’s Occasions & Gifts Expert, helping shoppers find thoughtful gifts without overspending

Updated 9th March 2026

Key Takeaways

Mother's Day Spendings Are Still Going Strong: Spending on Mother's Day in the U.K. reached £1.57 billion in 2025, showing how much people value celebrating the occasion, even while many shoppers aim to keep their spending modest.
It's The Thought That Counts: Many mums care less about the price of a gift and more about the thought behind it, with time together and meaningful gestures often valued more than expensive presents.
Budget-Friendly Options Can Still Have Maximum Impact: Affordable options such as handmade items, personalised keepsakes, shared experiences, or second-hand finds can make thoughtful Mother's Day gifts without stretching your budget.
Experiences Are A Great Way To Show Appreciation: Experiences like afternoon tea, creative workshops, or photoshoots can create lasting memories and may also help reduce costs when shared with siblings or family members.
Home-Made Gifts Can Significantly Cut The Costs: Budget-friendly ideas such as home movie nights, picnics, or homemade gifts show that a memorable Mother's Day celebration does not have to cost much.

Mother's Day is a chance to show appreciation for your mum and the other influential women in your life. Finding a unique, meaningful, and budget-friendly Mother's Day gift can feel like a challenge.

Spending on Mother's Day in the U.K. reached £1.57 billion in 2025 (+£1.4 billion from 2024), which shows how highly we value treating our nearest and dearest. A box of chocolates and a bunch of spring flowers will always go down well, but there are ways to give a thoughtful and unique gift without spending a fortune. From personalised keepsakes to shared experiences, there are plenty of ways to make Mum feel special while staying within budget. Before choosing a gift, check what you can comfortably afford and make sure it aligns with your other expenses. If you need support, try a free online budget calculator from a trusted source such as MoneyHelper.

What's in Savoo's List of 26 Affordable and Unique Mother's Day Gifts

How to find a unique Mother's Day gift without overspending
Mother's Day Gift Decision Guide
Handmade Mother's Day Gifts
Personalised Mother's Day Gifts
Experience Mother’s Day Gifts
Second-hand and Vintage Mother's Day Gifts
Subscription Mother's Day Gifts
Small Budget Mother's Day Gifts
What Are U.K. Mum's Favourite Mother's Day Gifts

How To Find A Unique Mother's Day Gift Without Overspending

With the cost of living continuing to affect household budgets, many people look for ways to celebrate Mother's Day without spending too much. In 2025, research from YouGov showed that 29% of Brits were thinking of spending £21-50 on their Mother's Day gift, and 25% intended to spend under £20. Odds are Mother's Day in the U.K. will see a similar trend again this year.

Good news though: mums usually don't care if your budget is tight. When asked on Reddit, "What do you REALLY want for Mother's Day?", most of the users answered "time". Mothers of young children, especially, seem to be hoping for a day to "enjoy their kids, not just parent", or even some alone time to decompress and go to a spa.

More than that, mums understand the importance of quality over quantity.

eCommerce and luxury expert, and Co-Founder of OBJKTS Jewelry Shirlene Tsang, says:

'You don't have to spend a lot to find a meaningful Mother's Day gift. The best gifts aren't about price, they're about thoughtfulness and making sure it's something she'll actually enjoy. I see this all the time running a jewellery brand that focuses on affordable luxury. People want something that looks and feels special without overspending, and there are plenty of ways to do that.'

My colleague Louise Holder, a mum of two, backs up this theory.

'The gifts I cherish most are the ones that my children have made, these include handmade cards, candleholders, dinners, cakes (my favourite and the quickest way to my heart!)... Regardless of the price or effort, it is always the thought that counts, and most importantly, feeling appreciated and loved.'

So how can you make a gift feel thoughtful, you ask? The answer is quite simple: think about your mum. Is she displaying loads of family pictures? Photo albums or scrapbooks can be the winners. Does she like her beauty routine? A spa day or a gift set could hit the spot. Is she a massive foodie? Go for a home-cooked meal or a fancy afternoon tea.

But we get it. Between Christmas, Mother's Day, and birthdays, even when you know your mum, it can be hard to find inspiration. This is why we put together a list of 26 affordable Mother's Day gift ideas to treat your mum this year. You're welcome.

26 affordable and unique Mother's Day gift ideas

If you're looking for a gift that is affordable and a little outside the box, here are 26 ideas to inspire you.

Handmade Mother's Day gifts

Handmade gifts are a thoughtful way to show appreciation while keeping costs low.

For whom
- Mums who like crafts
- Sentimental mums
- Mums who already have "everything"
Budget
- £10-£30
Time
- A few hours to a few days
Effort
- Medium to high, depending on how elaborate you want to go and how much planning it needs

Handmade Mother's Day gift ideas

A memory scrapbook filled with handwritten notes, photos, and keepsakes. You can print pictures or create photo books with retailers such as Photobox and Snapfish.
Personalised mugs, keyrings, or calendars featuring family pictures. Funky Pigeon offers a wide range of customisable options.
A homemade spa kit with DIY bath bombs, candles, and skincare for an at-home pamper session. You could add products from The Body Shop.
A custom recipe book featuring her favourite dishes and family recipes. Digital tools like Canva offer many templates and resources.
A breakfast-in-bed experience with a handwritten menu so she can choose her favourites. You could cook at home or order a treat using Just Eat voucher codes.

Personalised Mother's Day gifts

Customised gifts give a thoughtful and exclusive touch.

For whom
- Mums who like feeling special
- Mums who enjoy a thoughtful touch
Budget
- £20-£50, depending on the brand and the extent of the customisation
Time
- A few hours to a few days, depending on delivery times
Effort
- Low to medium, depending on whether you're using a brand's service or you do that by hand

Affordable personalised Mother's Day gift ideas

Engraved jewellery featuring initials, coordinates, or a sentimental date. Many jewellery brands like Pandora offer engravable items from as low as £25.
A framed star map of the day she became a mother. Affordable frames are often available at TK Maxx and customisable star maps can be found on sites like My Picture.
Hand-painted or embroidered clothing with her name or a special message. You can find plenty of those on platforms like Etsy.
Custom fragrance or candle blends tailored to her preferences. Explore options at The Fragrance Shop.

Experience Mother's Day Gifts

This is a great opportunity to spend time with your mum and siblings, and create long-lasting memories. You can also gift an experience for your mum to do on her own!

For whom
- Mums who say they only want their kids to be happy for Mother's Day
- Mums who need some well-deserved "me time"
- Mums who live a bit far from their children
Budget
- £30-£70, depending on the activity, location, and how many people participate
Time
- A few minutes to choose, a couple of hours to do
Effort
- Low to medium, depending on how much organisation and planning are involved

Experience Mother's Day Gift Ideas

A pottery-making class where she can craft her own piece. Many towns have pottery painting studios where you can decorate ready-made ceramics.
A chocolate-making or wine-tasting experience, a twist on simply giving her favourite box or bottle.
A Mother and Me photoshoot, so you and your siblings have a keepsake she will want to display.
Afternoon tea, which can be as fancy or as affordable as you like. Many local garden centres offer reasonably priced options. You can browse reviews on Tripadvisor and look for discounts on Groupon.

Louise Holder at Savoo says: 'Sharing the experience with your siblings not only allows you all to create beautiful memories for your mum but also helps you save money as you can divide the costs. Remember, it doesn't have to be boring. Strike a pose and make fun memories for your mum to treasure!'

If you like the idea of an experience but are not sure what to choose, browse the latest days out and experience voucher codes for ways to save.

Second-hand and Vintage Mother's Day Gifts

Second-hand shopping can help you find unique gifts with character while keeping costs down. It is also a practical way to support more sustainable shopping habits. Research from Retail Week shows that more than half of U.K. adults have bought pre-loved items online in the past year.

For whom
- Sustainable-friendly mums
- Mums who like collecting
- Charity-shop experts mums
Budget
- £10-£30, depending on the item
Time
- A few hours to a few days
Effort
- Medium to high, depending on how rare or how specific the item you're looking for is

Vintage and Second-Hand Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Vintage jewellery and handbags.
Rare, out-of-print books or first editions.
Retro home décor such as antique vases and ceramics.
Upcycled accessories or refurbished keepsakes.

Where to look for good second-hand Mother's Day gifts

Charity shops such as Oxfam and Cancer Research UK
Online charity retailers like the British Heart Foundation shop
Marketplaces including eBay, Depop, Etsy, and Vinted
Local flea markets or car boot sales

What to check before buying

Condition of the item and any visible wear
Seller ratings or reviews on online marketplaces
Return or refund policies where available
Delivery times if ordering close to Mother's Day

Tips for keeping costs low

Set alerts for items you are searching for
Compare prices across several marketplaces
Consider buying locally to avoid postage fees

Subscription Mother's Day Gifts

Subscriptions are the gift that keeps on giving and keeps Mother's Day alive well after the day.

For whom
- Mums who like a routine
- Mums who want a little joy now and then
Budget
- £25-£60, depending on the length of the subscription
Time
- A few minutes to set up
Effort
- Low, you only need to remember to pay the subscription

Subscription Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Monthly flower subscriptions from florists such as Bloom and Wild.
Self-care boxes featuring beauty products from LOOKFANTASTIC.
Gourmet snack or recipe boxes. For example, HelloFresh offers meal kits you could cook together.
Personalised letter-writing or tea-tasting subscriptions.
An audiobook or streaming service subscription so she can enjoy new books, films, or series.

How to choose the right subscription

Pick something that fits her hobbies or interests
Check the delivery frequency (monthly, quarterly, etc.)
Look for flexible cancellation or gift plans
Compare introductory offers or discount codes

Ways to keep the cost manageable

Choose a short 3-month gift subscription rather than a full year
Use introductory discounts or voucher codes
Share the experience together, for example, cooking a HelloFresh meal together

Small Budget Mother's Day Gifts

Something doesn't have to cost money to be thoughtful and memorable. There are plenty of ways to have a super low-cost Mother's Day while still making sure it's extra special. All it takes is a little planning.

And as Shirlene Tsang says, 'It's not about how much you spend... It's about making the effort. A well-chosen gift always means more than a high price tag.'

For whom
- All the mums. Literally.
Budget
- £0-£20, depending on your plans
Time
- A few hours to a few days, depending on your set-up
Effort
- Low to high, depending on the time you have and the effort you want to make

Small Budget Mother's Day Gift Ideas

A home cinema night featuring her favourite films.
A scavenger hunt with sentimental clues.
Writing and performing a personalised poem or short play.
Hosting a themed picnic with homemade treats.

What are UK mums' favourite Mother's Day gifts?

As well as setting a budget, think about the type of gift she would most like to receive. According to YouGov research from 2024, popular choices for Mother's Day gifts often include flowers, cards, special meals, and quality time together.

Chart showing popular Mother's Day gifts in the U.K., including flowers, cards, and meals

Finding exclusive deals and discounts for unique gifts

Mother's Day gifts do not have to be expensive to be special. Whether you choose a DIY present, a shared experience, or a personalised item, the most meaningful gifts reflect the time and care you have put into them.

If you're ready to treat your mum, browse the latest Mother's Day vouchers and offers to help you save while you shop.