The Budget Chef
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Mother’s Day Entertaining Ideas
Mother’s Day Entertaining Ideas by Patricia Mendez
Looking for some fun activity and gift ideas to entertain your mom this Mother’s Day? Check out these ideas:
Activities
Breakfast in Bed: Dads, if your children are small (3 and up), get them up early on Mother’s Day and take them into the kitchen to prepare breakfast in bed for mom. Every Mother’s Day morning as I lay in bed, I would hear my husband and 3 boys giggling and banging pots and pans in the kitchen. After the enticing aroma of burnt toast brought me to a fully conscious state, I would hear a knock at the door and see smiles on the faces of my little boys. The would proudly show me the tray of eggs, bacon and well-done toast along with juice, coffee and a bud vase with a flower one of them picked from our yard with a homemade card. It was a tradition that we all enjoyed and in the process my husband taught the boys to show their love and appreciation to their mom. Keep it simple and watch how enthusiastic your kids will be to serve their mom in this special way.
Mother’s Day Brunch: If you are on a tight budget this year consider hosting a brunch at your home rather than taking your mom out to a restaurant. Brunch is generally less expensive than dinner but that does not mean yours cannot be a luxurious meal you will all enjoy. Purchase an exotic fruit juice such as guava or passion fruit and champagne and serve guava mimosas in sugar-rimmed stemmed glasses. If you prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, simply mix the juice with lemon-lime soda for a refreshing spritzer. Serve croissants, cinnamon rolls or muffins with butter and jam. Make an easy quiche or try this tasty Herb Egg Scramble recipe: Chop one medium onion and cooked ham to total 1 1/2 cups of chopped ham. Sauté in a large frying pan for 3-5 minutes in 2 tablespoons canola oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add 1 1/2 cups sliced canned potatoes and 1 dozen raw scrambled eggs. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until eggs are cooked. Add salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped tarragon and serve immediately. Add a platter of sliced, fresh fruit and freshly brewed coffee.
Free Gifts
Coupons for Mom: Go to www.mothersdaycentral.com to print out free coupons that you can customize for your mom.
Act of Love: Wash her car, clean the house, play an instrument, write a poem, act out a skit, share a special memory. Take the opportunity that you have THIS Mother’s Day to express your love and gratitude to your mom.
Fun Gifts
Customized Photo Album: Take a trip to your local craft store. Most stores have a great selection of scrapbooking supplies and many carry kits to make a special album. Assemble one for your mom with a theme. Your theme can be: Grandmother, Childhood Memories, Mom as a Young Woman, Special Vacations, etc. She will cherish it.
Family Tree Photo Frame: I have one and I love it! www.ThingsRemembered.com $34.99 or many discount stores carry them.
Warm Weather Shawl: Shawls are beautiful, inexpensive and functional gifts. You never have to worry about the size and lightweight shawls dress up casual outfits and take the chill out of a spring or summer evening. Most discount stores have a wonderful assortment of absolutely beautiful shawls.
Dinner-of-the-Month Club: www.AmazingClubs.com has many great clubs that you can enroll your mom in. They deliver a gourmet meal with specialty pasta and have a month-to-month Dinner-of-the-Month Club for $24.95 per month, a 3 month club (delivered once a month) for $71.85 or a 3 month Dinner-and-a-Movie Club (they deliver a movie with dinner) for $89.95. They also have other clubs such as: Dessert-of-the-Month, Tea-of-the-Month and Wine-of-the-Month.
Patricia is the author of the book, Easy Entertaining for Beginners. The book is an award-winning finalist in the cookbook: general category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.
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