This year my mom requested flowers for her front porch planters.  (Since they're shaded, finding the right flowers for them has been a challenge for her and "looking" was part of the gift.) 

I'm not an expert, but I like to garden and usually shop sales, grow from seeds when I can, buy distressed plants, etc.  This was the first time I'd ever noticed the drastic contrast between what people spend who know even the tiniest amount about gardening and those who just stop in to garden centers to buy a pretty planted arrangement for Mother's Day.

I purchased impatiens in mulitple colors, pink, white and green ornamental foliage, and vinca vines in the 6 compartment flats which were each under $2. I also found a gorgeous hanging basket of double begonias in a coordinating color for $8!  (It looked prettier than the $35 ones beside it.)  The flowers for each planter totaled $5. (I'll use half of the muli-colored foliage in each planter.) As I checked out, I couldn't help but notice that the people around me were getting the same amount of flowers for $75 to $100 simply because they were already in (cheap) plastic planters!  (They weren't even the pretty, pricey planters!)

I'm sure most people who garden on this forum do this already, but if there is anyone out there who would secretly be just like all the people in line around me, if you don't already have pots leftover from previous years, you can buy new ones at discount stores for just a few dollars.  For another couple of dollars you can buy a whole bag of potting soil.  (The newer kinds factor in drainage and feeding, etc. so it's not absolutely necessary to layer rocks, sand and things which always intimated me years ago.)  For fewer than 15 minutes of work and well under $15 (even less if you already have the pots) you can make a beautiful planter for your mom that looks just like the super expensive ones.

 I hope this helps someone who wants to bless his or her mom this weekend but needs to save money! 

good idea for refreshing all the baskets I laying around from last year!   My mom doesn't want baskets this year just a phone.   I got a geranim basket and a fancy petunia one for mothers day from the family $25 for both.

I went to Bath and Body Works today and bought, both my mom and MIL, 2 antibacterial handsoaps each. These are the regular sized pumps. The price was $2 a piece.

I phoned my 4 closest-to-mothers whom I have.  One of my Aunts in particular (I sent her a letter on nice vellum stationery that I have, telling her that she is indeed the closest person I have to a mother.) I called -- she opened the letter while we were speaking.  My other Aunt was very glad to hear from me.  I also phoned my Step-Mother (we're not very close.).  Finally, I phoned my dearest Cousin, & she was sweet enough to wish me a happy Mother's Day, too, saying that I care for the people around me.  (The ether seems full of undeserved compliments for me these days ....)

I pay 10cents/minute & a $10 monthly fee for long distance.  This plan works well for me.  Generally, in a month, I spend $3 on the cents/minute, so I think -- maybe I'm wrong -- that I am getting good value.

Yours in Him, Deb

Deborahmichelle:

to wish me a happy Mother's Day, too, saying that I care for the people around me. 

I completely agree with your cousin Deb. I wanted to wish all here a Happy Mother's Day, and that includes you. Whether or not you are physically a mother does not impede the fact that you have a very naurturing nature. You care for all of us on the forum. That's enough for me.

Dear, sweet Kabin, thank you so very much!  Yours in Him, Deb