Barney helps you get creative gifts for Mom under R200

Mother’s day is just around the corner and with the petrol price, food and living cost increases, your pocket might be a little strapped for cash.

Now of course you can’t show up to your Mum place empty handed this mother’s day.

Here are a few gift ideas that will cost you very little to no money at all.

Flowers

Sneak into your mom's house and just leave a bouquet of your mom's favourite flowers in a matching vase somewhere around in house on Mother's Day. This will add an extra special touch rather then just handing it to her.

Your Favourite Childhood Book

If your mom read to you when you were younger, buy her a copy of your favourite childhood book and write a thank you note inside for always reading it to you when you wanted her to.

Start A Book Club -- For Just The Two Of You

Buy two copies of a book that you've been dying to read and have a mini book club with your mom! It's a great way to let her know you want to spend more time together.

Make a Coupon Book

Coupon books are a favourite gift for every holiday, and Mother’s Day is no different. You can print off a coupon book from the Internet or simply make one on your own. If you go this route, however, make sure the coupons aren’t for things that are already expected.

For example, if it’s your responsibility to do the dishes, or if your kids are in charge of making their beds each day, don’t give mom a coupon for these situations. Some ideas to consider are a movie night, a night off from cooking, a car wash, help with gardening, breakfast in bed or even an afternoon nap.

Photo Mug

Pick out a few of your mom's favourite pictures of you (and your siblings) and have them put onto a photo mug. Then be sure to buy her a box of herbal, calming tea so she can get her morning started right.

Plan A Movie Night

Some of us rarely find time to snuggle up with a good movie, this is a simple yet really cute idea. Get your mums favourite movie  and set up a little mini theatre at home. You can even turn it into a lounge picnic as you enjoy a few snacks and some quality time as you watch her favourite flick.

Frame it

Search through your photo archive and you are bound to come across a family picture be it old or new. Find a really nice frame at one of your local home stores and gift it to mum. If you want to go a little high budget then you can get the picture printed onto canvas or enlarged.

Mini mani or pedi

Your mum will absolute love this one. Set up a home mini mani or pedi station and treat mum to her very own spa day. You can do this at little to no cost. Bring out her favourite nail colours, a  exfoliating scrub and a massage. You can even add in a home facial or mask as well.