Frugal Family: Five Ways To Make Mom Happy on Mother's Day

For Mother’s Day, I’m getting a J.A. BizTown check ( parents know what this is) from my son for $100,000! Woot! The next best thing might be dinner out, a home-cooked meal, some greenery or some quality time. Here’s some ideas for Mom's Day:

Give Mom Greenery

Check out the Mother’s Day greenery at Hudson florists, floral departments and greenhouses. Why not get creative and make Mom a special annual basket or arrangement? The new Linder’s Flower Mart in Plaza 94 and in the former Hermes Garden Center on County Road U has a coupon in the Hot Sheet Shopper for one free annual or vegetable six-pack with a $5 minimum purchase. My Sister’s Garden is offering a free gift with a purchase of a garden mum for Mom, May 6–8.

Get Grilling for Mom

Let Mom sit back and you do the work. Get everything you need this week at County Market: T-bone steak for $7.98 a pound; sweet corn, three for $1; and angel food cake for $2.98, and a buy-one-get-one coupon for strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.

Take Mom Out

Mother’s Day brunches abound in Hudson. The Hudson Golf Course is offering brunch May 8 featuring roast beef, lamb, champagne chicken and ham plus breakfast items, salads and sides,$19.95 for adults. Or head down to Urban Olive & Vine for a picnic-to-go for two, $19.99, to take to one of Hudson’s great parks.

Drive Mom to the Country

Even though gas is $4 a gallon, there’s some pretty spectacular drives in the St. Croix Valley that won’t burn up an entire tank. One of my favorite destinations is to the twin interstate parks in Taylors Falls, MN, and St. Croix Falls. The drive north of St. Croix Falls on River Road to Wolf Creek and then back south on Highway 87 to the Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard is a favorite as is County Road S, Wisconsin Rustic Road 101, between St. Croix Falls and Osceola. The Chateau has its Cellar Master's Weekend May 6-8; call for reservations.

Lend Mom a Hand

One of the best Mother’s Day presents that I ever received was when my husband and son weeded the back perennial garden, typically my nemesis. Ask Mom what she needs done and do it. It’s a cheap and easy way to make Mom happy (and then surprise her with candy, jewelry, flowers or dinner afterward).