Treat Mom to a meal out on Mother’s Day on May 12, 2024, without breaking the family budget. Lower the bill by taking advantage of one of the many Mother’s Day freebies or deals.
To celebrate moms everywhere, many restaurants and businesses are offering Mother’s Day specials and discounts. Bonus gift cards, free food and discounted gifts are all in the mix this Mother’s Day.
Most of the discounts are only valid on Mother’s Day. However, dates vary, so be sure you review the fine print.
After you’ve settled on your Mother’s Day plans, check out our Mother’s Day gift ideas. You definitely don’t want to show up without a gift in hand.
The offers are only available at participating locations, while supplies last. Limit one per person.
Whether Mom wants brunch or dinner, enjoy a frugal feast with these Mother’s Day restaurant specials.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
Let BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse make your Mother’s Day meal more affordable.
From March 20 1 to May 21, 2024, the restaurant is offering 50% off appetizers via BJ’s site or app — use promo code HALFOFFAPP at checkout.
The offer is only available for take-out or delivery through BJ’s site or app.
California Pizza Kitchen
Enjoy slicing into a pizza with Mom at California Pizza Kitchen.
From May 10 to 12, 2024, customers can order their favorite CPK pizzas on a heart-shaped crispy thin crust at no additional cost — available for dine-in or take-out.
Edible
Send Mom a big arrangement of fresh fruit or other treats.
Edible offers a variety of special offers for Mother’s Day — up to 50% off. Check out the shop’s variety of fresh fruit arrangements, dipped fruit, cupcakes and more for a special gift for mom.
Hooters
Mothers enjoy 10 FREE wings (any style) with the purchase of 10 wings (any style) at Hooters on May 12, 2024.
The offer is valid for dine-in only.
Olive Garden
If you take Mom to Olive Garden, enjoy an extra take-home entrée for just $6. Pick up enough for the whole family. Choose from Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
Panda Express
Enjoy a family feast on Mother’s Day!
Panda Express is offering a 5 Person Family Meal for just $30. The bundle includes two large sides and three large entrées — enough food to feed the whole family with some leftover for a midnight snack.
The meal deal is available from May 1 to 12, 2024.
Pizza Hut
Everyone loves pizza, including mothers! Celebrate Mother’s Day with an inexpensive pizza party, thanks to Pizza Hut’s ongoing deals and discounts. Share a slice of pizza and fun with Mom…plus, it’s an easy clean-up after the gathering.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is shaking up Mother’s Day!
The popular eatery is offering a FREE shake for online orders placed from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The giveaway requires an additional purchase of $10 or more.
The offer requires this promo code at checkout. The sweet special runs daily through June 26, 2024.
Sonic Drive-In
If you’re looking for an inexpensive date with Mom, check out the current deals from Sonic Drive-In.
You can also always stop by for the chain’s daily happy hour to enjoy half-price drinks.
TCBY
Chill out with Mom at TCBY!
Mom’s first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt and toppings are FREE on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024 at the popular froyo shop. Just pay for any additional ounces.
Gift Card Bonus Offers 2024
Many restaurants are celebrating Mom by offering gift card bonuses and discounts. Buy the gift card as a treat for Mom or a way to save on dining out with the whole family.
Most gift card bonuses are only available online. However, some are available online and in-restaurant. Before buying, be sure to confirm the bonus.
Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza & Wings
Slice into a bonus at Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza & Wings. For every $100 spent on gift cards, receive a $40 Bonus Card — from May 1 to July 17, 2024. The bonus can be redeemed from July 18 to Aug. 26, 2024. Gift cards are available for purchase in-restaurant, online or via the Anthony’s app.
Applebee’s
Buy a $50 gift card and Applebee’s will throw in a $10 Bonus Card — from April 8 to June 23, 2024. The bonus card expires Aug. 4, 2024.
Auntie Anne’s
Buy $25 in gift cards at Auntie Anne’s and enjoy a $5 Reward Code. The bonus is available from May 6 to June 23, 2024. (The offer is available online starting April 29, 2024.) Each purchase of gift cards in increments of $25 (in one transaction) will receive a $5 Rewards Code. The reward is valid April 29 to July 21, 2024.
Bonefish Grill
Buy a $50 gift card at Bonefish Grill and get a $10 Bonus Card — from April 22 to June 23, 2024. The bonus card can be redeemed from June 24 to Aug. 25, 2024.
BurgerFi
Bite into a bonus at BurgerFi. For every $25 spent on gift cards, receive a $10 Bonus Card — from May 1 to July 17, 2024. The bonus can be redeemed from July 18 to Aug. 26, 2024. Gift cards are available for purchase in-restaurnant, online or via the BurgerFi app.
California Pizza Kitchen
Fresh from the pizza oven at California Pizza Kitchen! From April 23 to May 12, 2024, send a $50 eGift Card online and enjoy a $10 eBonus Card. The bonus card is valid April 24 to May 28, 2024. (The offer is not valid on plastic gift cards.)
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Gather the family and enjoy a meal at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. For every $50 spent in gift cards, receive a $10 Bonus Card — from April 22 to June 23, 2024. The bonus card can be redeemed from June 24 to Aug. 25, 2024.
Cinnabon
Spring is so sweet! For every $25 gift card purchased at Cinnabon, get a $5 Reward — from May 6 to June 23, 2024. (The bonus is available online starting April 8, 2024.) The bonus must be unlocked in the Cinnabon loyalty program and is valid July 1 to Aug. 25, 2024.
Chili’s
Celebrate any occasion with lunch or dinner at Chili’s. Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 eBonus Card — from April 18 to June 22, 2024. The bonus is only available online. The bonus card is valid April 19 to July 31, 2024.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Need bargain bagels for a celebratory brunch? All Einstein Bros. Bagels gift cards purchased online are 20% off — from April 24 to June 25, 2024.
Fogo de Chão
Fogo de Chão can make springtime sizzle. For every $125 in gift cards purchased online, get a $25 Bonus eCard — from April 16 to June 16, 2024. The bonus card is valid June 17 to Aug. 25, 2024.
Grand Lux Café
Celebrate any holiday with a luxurious lunch or dinner at Grand Luxe Café. From April 29 to May 12, 2024, purchase a $50 gift card online and receive a $10 Bonus eCard. The bonus card is valid May 13 to June 5, 2024.
IHOP
Hop over to IHOP for breakfast for any holiday or celebration. From April 1 to June 30, 2024, buy a $25 gift card and get a $5 Bonus Card. The bonus card expires Aug. 25, 2024.
Jamba
Get fresh and fruity for spring at Jamba. From April 30 to June 16, 2024, buy a $25 gift card and get a $5 Reward Code. Each purchase of gift cards in increments of $25 (in one transaction) will receive a $5 Rewards Code. The reward card is valid June 17 to Aug. 31, 2024.
McAlister’s Deli
Slather on the savings at McAlister’s Deli. Receive a $5 Reward Card with the purchase of a $25 gift card — from April 15 to June 16, 2024. The reward is valid June 17 to Aug. 11, 2024.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Enjoy burritos and more at Moe’s Southwest Grill. For every $25 in gift cards purchased online or in-restaurant, receive $5 eReward Code — from April 21 to June 16, 2024. Get two bonuses with the purchase of a $30 gift card. The reward code can be redeemed April 23 to Aug. 31, 2024 by unlocking it through the Moe Rewards program.
Outback Steakhouse
Take a spring break “down under”. Buy a $50 gift card at Outback Steakhouse and enjoy a $10 Bonus Card — from April 23 to June 23, 2024. The bonus card is valid June 24 to Aug. 25, 2024.
Panda Express
Get bowled over at Panda Express. Enjoy a FREE Panda Bowl with the purchase of $30 or more gift card online. The bonus is available April 22 to May 12, 2024. The redemption code for the complimentary bowl expires July 31, 2024.
RA Sushi
Time for a sushi party! Buy a $60 gift card at RA Sushi and enjoy $10 Promotional Card. For a bigger bonus, buy a $200 gift card and receive a $60 Promotional Card. The bonus offer is available April 9 to May 12, 2024. The promo cards are valid May 13 to June 23, 2024.
Red Lobster
There’s nothing fishy about saving money! From April 29 to July 1, 2024, buy a $50 gift card at Red Lobster and receive two coupons — each good for $10 off your next order of $40 or more. The first coupon is valid July 2 to 31, 2024 and the second coupon is valid Aug. 1 to 31, 2024.
Red Robin
Get a juicy deal at Red Robin. Buy a $50 gift card and get $10 Bonus Bucks. The bonus offer is available April 22 to June 17, 2024. See Bonus Bucks for redemption dates.
Smashburger
Enjoy a burger and shake at Smashburger! From May 1 to June 18, 2024, get $5 Smash Cash with the purchase of a $25 gift card. The bonus “cash” is valid July 1 to 31, 2024. Find participating locations here.
Subway
Stop at Subway for a great deal! Get a FREE 6-inch sub with the purchase of a $25 gift card — from April 30 to June 30, 2024. The complimentary sub voucher is valid through July 31, 2024. Limit four bonuses per transaction.
The Cheesecake Factory
Celebrate any occasion with an extravagant lunch or dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. From April 29 to May 12, 2024, purchase a $50 gift card online and receive a $10 Bonus Card. The bonus card is valid May 13 to June 5, 2024.
Village Inn
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Village Inn. From April 22 to June 16, 2024, buy a $25 gift card and receive a $5 Bonus Card. The bonus card is valid May 6 to July 28, 2024 — excluding May 12 and June 16.
Mother’s Day Retail Specials 2024
You can celebrate Mom with more than just food. There are also a few Mother’s Day retail specials or review our list of frugal gift ideas.
Coach
Add to Mom’s handbag collection with a gift from Coach. Save 25% on select full-price styles in May.
The discount is automatically applied at checkout for Coach Insider members. Sign-up here.
Groupon
Save big on gifts and flowers for Mom through Groupon. The money-saving site is offering a wide variety of deals on spa treatments, jewelry, flowers, gift baskets and more.
Live Nation
Take Mom to see her favorite artist in concert this summer!
Live Nation’s Concert Week offers $25 All-In Tickets for more than 5,000 shows nationwide this.
The discounted tickets include all fees upfront. Tax is not included. The special is available from May 8 to 14, 2024.
Lowe’s
Give Mom a plant for Mother’s Day!
Lowe’s is giving away a FREE one-pint annual plant over Mother’s Day weekend, May 11 and 12, 2024. Registration is required.
Massage Envy
Give Mom the gift of relaxation at Massage Envy!
Buy a 60-minute session and enjoy a second one for 50% off. Both sessions must be purchased at the non-member, non-intro rate.
The offer is available from April 22 to May 12, 2024.
Whole Foods Market
Spoil Mom (or even treat yourself) and stock up on beauty, bath, candles and personal care picks.
Whole Foods Market is offering 33% off all body care and candles — from May 1 to 14, 2024. The grocery store bans more than 240 ingredients from all body care and beauty products on its shelves.
The sale is only available to Amazon Prime members.
More Mother’s Day articles at Living on the Cheap:
This annual Mother’s Day or Christmas or birthday conversation is so predictable it’s aggravating: “Mom, what can I get you?” “Oh, I don’t need anything!”
She means it. Most mothers really don’t need anything. But handing her an overpriced store-bought card and saying “Thank you for being my mother” won’t settle your own need to show her how much she means to you.
Check out some of our suggestions for last-minute gifts we think mothers will love. Not only are they inexpensive, they come from your heart —which is what moms want most.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Gift ideas for moms who don’t want anything
While they may not be as homespun as when you were a child, the best gifts for moms from a grown-up son or daughter will still reflect your heart and appreciation for her.
When my sons were young, their “go-to” gift to me was a three-pack of wooden utensils. I was always thrilled — I went through wooden spoons like some women go through makeup. I used them for cooking and candy making, pushing things through other things, retrieving whatever had fallen between the stove and the wall, or letting little ones drum them on pots and pans. When they were old and stained they became paint stirrers, and I wrote on broken ones to label newly seeded garden rows. I still love the versatility and organic feel of wooden spoons, but now as a single person I no longer have need for a steady stream of them.
Some mothers have collections. Maybe your mom collects pigs. She has pig statues and pig dishtowels and cute little concrete pigs in her garden. Every year since she first mentioned she loved them, somebody presented her with a pig or something adorned with pictures of pigs. Now, 300 little pigs have wrapped their curly little tails around her life. She secretly wishes she could send half of them to the closest donation site. But she doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings – it just wouldn’t be mom-like.
Now, I’m not saying this is true for every pig-collecting mother, or for anyone obsessed by her particular object of affection. By all means, if you know your mother would love having one more knick for her knack, go for it. But it might be better to ask her if she would like you to pack up some of those dust gatherers and take them out of her house. Better yet, sell them for her and give her the cash. Green is the new pig.
Most mothers who have finished raising their children are at a different stage of life. They want order. Some want a stocked refrigerator without fingerprints and school schedules and magnets that say “I heart Mom.” Others long for a day alone, a steamy bath and a steamier novel. Some mothers want jewelry; others are crafty and would love to have the raw materials to create. One of my favorite gifts was a cordless drill. We’re all different.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Mothers know about budgets, and they don’t want their adult children to spend money they don’t have on a gift that won’t be enjoyed. They want their children to have plump savings accounts and a debt-free life.
With a little creativity, you can be frugal and still make Mom smile on Mother’s Day. Here are some suggestions of inexpensive — but perfect — presents you can give your mom:
Plants and flowers
Flowers are always on target. You could call that familiar 800-number or order a fancy bouquet (and if you do, shop around and use a coupon code to make it a better deal.)
Or you could save a vintage vase at a thrift store and shine it up with some vinegar, baking soda and hot water. Buy one perfect flower (or do some bartering with a green-thumbed neighbor) and surround it with twigs and a few ferns or grasses. Handwrite a message and tuck it into the arrangement.
Alternatively, look for FREE pass-it-on plants and plant them for her. Gardeners often offer to give away plants on sites like Facebook, Nextdoor and Freecycle.
Photo memories
Upgrade some favorite family memories. Remember when it was all the rage to have family pictures or movies on VHS tapes? I must admit my little television has a built-in VHS player and a DVD player, but maybe your mom is has done a better job with keeping up with technology. She would love to look at those old films every now and then.
Some stores offer a VHS to DVD transfer service starting at around $20; if you have the required software on your computer, you can copy and burn them yourself.
It will take some planning, but another great gift idea for moms is to put together a photo book — either a handmade scrapbook or the kind you can make online.
Another idea is to buy a frame with several openings and make a photo collage of some of her favorite pictures. She’ll treasure those memories.
Music for the heart
While you’re burning those discs, you could also create a collection of Mom’s favorite songs. My oldest son gave me a homemade two-disc set of songs of different genres, all carrying a theme of love and optimism. I never grow tired of listening to it.
You could also gift her a subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited or Spotify and make her a playlist of all her favorite songs. Right now, Amazon has a free trial for Music Unlimited.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Soft and cozy socks
Everybody needs socks. Dads always seem to receive socks for Father’s Day, but four out of five moms have mismatched socks in their drawers, too. All right, that isn’t a true statistic, but I do believe dryers are portals for socks to escape to a parallel universe.
When shopping for socks for Mom, please don’t get her the ones that leave the red marks around her shins or are decorated with hearts or balloons or something like…pigs. Stay on budget and look for a pair of soft and cozy socks that she can actually wear without explaining why she is wearing them.
Buy her two pair of the same color if you can afford it, just in case the dryer eats one of each pair. You could also make this foot warmer to go with them. If your Mom budget is a little bigger, tuck in a gift certificate so she can order some private Mom stuff.
Practical handmade gifts
One gift idea for mom is to make a mousepad. I prefer to use a wireless mouse instead of the touch pad on the computer. This covered mouse pad could be a FREE project using fabric scraps and a promotional giveaway mouse pad.
Home-baked goodies
Stay home and bake. Remember all those cupcakes that sainted woman made for your school events? Well, pay her back by giving her cupcakes in her favorite flavor. Get fancy with the decorating —you don’t want her to relive all those elementary school parties. Oh, you say you can’t bake? Then get fancy and buy her a sweet surprise that she won’t have to hide from the rest of the family.
Homemade coupon books
Mothers really do love to receive crafty little coupon books, and now that you’re older you can do a lot more for her.
So start cutting and stapling — get creative with the coupons, using ideas like “wash the car” and “take out the garbage” if you live nearby. Does Mom have a leaky faucet that you could fix with a few washers and some time? She might enjoy sharing a summer day with you, complete with a picnic lunch at a nearby park.
It’s really about the thought behind the coupon book — but it shouldn’t stop there. We frugal moms want to reap the benefits of those coupons, so follow through with your promises.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Time out
Give Mom an adventure. You don’t have to send her around the world in a private jet. She’d love a trip to the next town if it was carefully planned by you. Take her to the botanic gardens and hand her a list of plants to find, with a prize if she finds them all (or even if she doesn’t). Or rediscover her hometown by visiting favorite and new-to-her locations. Watch our Living on the Cheap network sites for events near you.
Sincere appreciation
What’s at the top of the list for most moms? One of the best gifts for moms is a handwritten letter. In this age of texting and instant messaging, we still like to read handwritten messages from loved ones.
Reminisce about turning points in your life, and what you have learned from her over the years. Tell her you love her.
She will treasure it long after the last of the pigs fly.
For more Mother’s Day ideas, check out our Pinterest Board. Get more money-saving tips, information about deals, and budget-friendly gift ideas when you subscribe to our free email newsletter.
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