A Mother's Day Gift Guide for Those Looking for a Steal or to Splurge

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and the gift you buy the mom in your life may well be there, too.

This column is more for the guys—before you go onto Amazon.com or bluenile.com and spring for the expensive, last-minute, free-delivery costs, consider taking a quick drive into town and picking up your Mother’s Day gift. 

Shopping locally is not only a fast and convenient way to shop, it’s a great way to support local businesses. First, in the interest of being totally frugal, I must proffer some free or cheap, but potentially great gift ideas:

Mom-certificates! Help the kids make personalized cards here, then add an index card-sized voucher. My top five pick are as follows:

• A-Day-Away—Offer to not only care for the kids for the day, but take them on an outing—to a park—maybe the Tourne, or a zoo like Turtleback, giving mom a day off and a clear conscience that the kids are entertained and enjoying a day with dad.
• Old-fashioned family picnic—Dad picks a local park, decides a day and time, buys or makes lunch for the entire family, brings a blanket and some outdoor toys (think Frisbee, T-ball, soccer, etc., and mobilizes the family.
• Work out—If she’s all about fitness and likes a little competition, schedule a babysitter, tell her to put on her workout gear and head to NJ Rock Gym (373 Route 46 West, Fairfield) for some indoor rock climbing.  Wednesdays are buy one, get one free, so pay for yourself and mom goes free.
• Artsy Craftsy—If mom’s the arts & crafts type, offer to set aside June 12 or 13 for the annual Morristown Fine Arts & Crafts Festival at Vail Mansion (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Gardening Guru—If mom’s got a green thumb, arrange to take her to Willowwood Arboretum in Chester on May 8 for a free lilac tour. 

Here are some hand-picked ideas for local gifts for mom:

Manicure/Pedicure

• Steal $25—Jenny’s Nails, 59 N. Beverwyck Rd., Lake Hiawatha, $25 manicure/pedicure combo Monday to Wednesday. Gift certificates available.
• Splurge $100—Village Nail & Spa, 1711 Rt.10 & 202N (Kohl’s plaza), Morris Plains. The “Rome” package includes a manicure and pedicure, express facial and a 15-minute chair massage.

Massage

• Steal $49—Massage Envy, 1119 Route 46 East (Pathmark plaza), Parsippany, introductory one-hour massage for new clients.
• Splurge $85—Depasquale, 51 Gibraltar Drive, Morris Plains, 50-minute European relaxation massage

Crafts

• Steal $75—Nonna’s Yarn Cafe 45 Broadway, Denville, four-week beginner/intermediate knitting instructions (materials additional).
• Splurge $150—Center for Clay Art, 28 N. Beverwyck Rd, Lake Hiawatha, 90-minute instruction and pottery crafting for the whole family (2-4 people total).

Flowers

• Steal $14.99—Walgreens 1470 Route 46 West, Parsippany, offers a bouquet of one dozen florist quality roses May 4-7.
• Splurge $42.95—Flowers by Rene 114 N. Beverwyck Rd., Lake Hiawatha, Pretty Pink Present bouquet in a box.

Disclaimer: Prices and availability subject to change and are based on information currently offered in sales circulars and online.