Mother’s Day is once again just around the corner and mums everywhere will be expecting… well, something. And if this ‘something’ isn’t quite what she’d hinted at in what she thought was a subtle tone of voice last Tuesday, your mum might be quite upset. But we have fallen on troubled times where budgets don’t cater for luxuries such as expensive Mother’s Day presents. So, this year sons and daughters, we may have to get creative and think imaginatively to find that perfect, but cost-effective gift. Here are some ideas:

Here’s one I made earlier…

Sentiment speaks louder than a large price tag and what better way to say ‘sentiment’ than a homemade card? Regress to that messy five-year-old we all once were, buy a sheaf of rainbow-coloured cardboard and get stuck in. Using pictures and illustrations from magazines, or old bus tickets – any material that either looks great or means something special to your mother – could really make this card something she’ll cherish.

Sell a few favours

Home-made vouchers are another cost-free but fantastic present. These vouchers could be anything you can think of, from ‘laundry service for a week’ to ‘breakfast in bed’- whatever favours you can offer personally to your mother! Make a whole book of them, design them on the computer to resemble real vouchers or write them yourself with friendly illustrations adorning the words; it’s up to you. So, if she’s a single mother for example and wants to go dating in London or somewhere that could mean an all-day excursion, she could redeem her ‘babysitting duty’ voucher and leave any younger siblings with you for the day.

Show off those culinary skills

Even if you’re not used to cooking, getting creative in the kitchen this Mother’s Day will mean a gift a mother could never forget. Why not make a picnic basket filled with home-made treats, from chutneys to chocolates, pastries, cakes and little delicacies: play to what you know she loves to eat. Make sure everything is made from scratch for a truly impressive result. If you’re doubtful about your culinary capability, there are many helpful recipe websites to push you in the right direction.

Give her a smile

Even though you might think it’s a bit cheesy and maybe slightly self-indulgent, a simple photograph in a nice frame is a really lovely present. Mothers always appreciate photos of their children and whether you want to reproduce an old favourite or take a new shot, the picture will be met with a very positive reaction. If you want to be even more ambitious, why not make a whole photo album, with pictures of the whole family and added captions and quips? You could also include old notes or drawings and any sentimental reminders you can find to make your album that much more special and personal.

Make a day of it

Time is perhaps the most valuable gift you can give anyone. Buying your mother some theatre tickets or cinema vouchers, which aren’t too expensive nowadays if you look in the right places, will mean you have bought them a night off their busy schedule. Find and plan a day or evening out that she would like and whether she spends it with you, your father or the mysterious Mr X that she’s been dating, it will mean a lot to her.

Whatever you decide to give as a gift this Mother’s day, whether its shop bought or home-made make sure it’s personal and thought about with care and attention, then it’s sure to being a tear to her eye!

Could there be a better gift for your mum? A tree is beautiful, tactile, life-giving; it smells like all the shampoo and shower adverts rolled into one, is good for the planet – and doesn’t need dusting!

Buy Plantatree in The National Forest and you will receive a certificate with your own special message to your mum, and an invitation for you both to take part in a special tree planting day in the Forest.

In the words of a mum who has already planted her Plantatree: ‘Many thanks for a great and memorable day. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. It is very special to actually plant the trees, a chance for a wonderful day together.’

On the day, you will be greeted by National Forest staff and have the choice of a tiny oak, ash or birch ‘whip’ (young tree) to plant. Your tree will be part of a new woodland in The National Forest, contributing to one of the biggest and boldest environmental initiatives in the country.

Spades are provided – you just need to wrap up warm and wear your wellies! There are foresters on site to help, and to tell you more about the trees, the woodland and the wildlife it will attract.

The woodland will always be open for you to visit, and you can return at any time throughout the seasons and see how the trees are growing.

Plantatree costs £25, which reflects the true cost of the tree and the future care of the trees and the woodland. Buy online at The National Forest giftshop or call the National Forest Company on 01283 551211.