Thoughtful, Inexpensive Mother's Day Gifts to Make Stepmothers Feel Loved

Stepmother's deserve the very best. After all, they married dad. Consequently, we don't have to worry about making sure that dad has clean laundry, eats decent meals or knows when to take his medicine. That is assuming that he goes to the doctor when necessary. Not to worry; stepmothers are more than capable of making sure that dad takes care of his health so no one else has to.

Of course, giving Mother's Day gifts to stepmothers can be a little tricky. No one wants to make mom feel slighted. We sure don't want to upset dad by giving his wife a cheesy gift either. Not to worry. I have plenty of ideas that are very thoughtful. They might even make mom smile a bit because they are relatively inexpensive.

If your stepmother enjoys gardening, then I have a perfect gift idea for you. This idea must be planned in advance, because you have to keep an eye on your own garden to give it. Just watch your flowers carefully. Don't pick them now. Don't even dead-head. Let them bloom and die. Leave them alone as the plant begins to dry. Keep a close eye on the base of the flowers. Watch as the pod left behind begins to dry. Before the pod opens to drop the seeds, pick it. Sift out the seeds on a paper plate. Do this with several different flower species from your own garden. Seal the seeds in plastic snack bags, and label them.

The next step to this gift is presentation. At any discount store, you can find little clear shot glasses. Pick up one for each of your species of flower seeds. Put several seeds in each shot glass. Wrap individually in pretty tissue paper, and tie with ribbon. Place all of the shot glasses in a flower pot to make a pretty display.

Let your stepmother know that you are sharing your garden with her in a special card that lets her know what types of seeds you are giving her. Enclose pictures of your own garden, so she can see the flowers she'll be growing.

Every woman and stepmother likes pretty things. You can find some beautiful antique doilies at local craft fairs and swap meets. There are often intricate tapestries as well. Collect a few that would go with your step mom's home, and place them casually in a wicker basket. Add some personal items like bath salts, a book of poetry, or scented incense. This gift is easy to tailor according to your stepmother's likes and dislikes.

OK, so you don't want to work so hard watching seasons change, searching for just the right doily, creating the perfect presentation. You can find some amazing deals at the local department stores if you know where to look. Every store has a clearance section. Most keep it hidden in a corner or other obscure place that the average shopper wouldn't think of finding. I've stumbled on tiny 90% off racks right in the middle of the high end merchandise.

Keep an eye on those ads. Save those mailed out coupons. When you're ready, hit the mall. If you can't find the lowest priced rack, ask a salesperson. They may hesitate, and try to redirect you. Just be friendly and persistent. You don't need to explain yourself. Ninety percent markdowns are just as good as full price merchandise. Why shouldn't you get something on sale? You may even pick up an extra shirt or scarf for yourself at those prices.

Stepmothers are wonderful people who deserve special gifts on Mother's Day. They may not have given us birth, but they do take care of dad. Gifts don't have to be fancy for them on Mother's Day, just thoughtful, with a little boost for our own mom, so she knows she could never be replaced.