My favorite mother's day gift is an outdoor plant that flowers in the spring (in full flower by mother's day) that my daughter planted 6 years ago.  I pass it every time I enter or leave my home and it always makes me smile.  -- Linda, 56, from CA

My tip is for pampering the Mommy on a budget.  I know this works in Minneapolis, and I am sure other cities have similar schools. The Minneapolis School of Massage offers 1 hour massages for $30.00.  The students are great!  The Aveda School in Minneapolis offers the greatest Essential Facial that is life changing!  It's about 1 1/4 hours of total pampering for $40.00 or less. You can get lots of other services such as manicures, pedicures very reasonably as well.  RELAX!  You deserve it. -- Barb from MN

This is my first mother's day. My daughter will be eleven months old. As a way to celebrate the day with her grandmother (my mom), we are having an all girls portrait taken of my mom, my sister, me, and my daughter. We will have four generations of family together. I will also save money by having the pictures taken at SEARS studio using my $3.99 coupon. -- Michelle from IL

I do have a tip, but I must admit that it is on the more serious side. My tip or piece of advice goes out to those of you who may know someone who has lost a child(ren) during pregnancy and who has no other children. These mothers are so, often neglected and overlooked. Mothers Day can be such a painfully difficult day for them and in some cases can be a day they absolutely dread. Reach out to them, let them know you are thinking about them. Send them a card, or drop by with flowers, or a single rose for each child lost. Let them know that they ARE mothers....only their children are waiting for them in Heaven. This can make a huge impact and you will touch your loved one more than you could ever imagine. -- Amy from MN

For gifts to make, visit our MOTHER'S DAY CRAFTS PAGE