I just finished up my mom and my MIL's mothers day gifts...Boys made the cards (we all signed), all from stuff I had on hand (cardstock, construction paper and markers).
We made the gift bags from brown handled bags kind of like what you get at bath and body works (my dad gave me a stack of these a long time ago and I found them on a closet shelf...Again, decorated with construction paper cut out flowers....
Inside the bags, MIL is getting from the Chinese dollar store, a set of coasters you can slide a picture into, I put all three boys and a family shot (4 coasters). a small clearance yankee candle (90% off from my gift closet) and a nice tube of Bath and body works lotion (free of course)...
Also, I got some twisty lucky bamboo in Chinatown (three long stalks, 75 cents each), and a cool Chinese style fish urn (again, Chinese dollar store), filled it with marbles I had on hand and VOILA, a beautiful arrangement (MIL will love the bamboo, she enjoys Chinese culture).
My mom got almost the same, except she got instead of bamboo, a gerbera daisy planted in a pretty yardsale pot, and we "stole " back the cat planter we gave her last year and planted a wave petunia in it. Also will bake Sat night a batch of Catt's brownies.
I got two great gifts (to give)I would be happy to receive, and I dont think I spent ten dollars on both combined

I love those gifts!! Good for you for being so resourceful with both your money and resources.

I love to refer to The Tightwad Gazette from time to time. That is where I got my solar oven idea (still haven't got that made yet, but hopefully soon!).

I made a "washer" for the hose today from a styrofoam container we got Chinese take out in. I was pretty pleased with myself.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Wow, several thoughts came to mind while reading this.
The first one was what wonderful lessons you are teaching your boys about gift giving, being creative and ingenuity.

Second was how you really gave thought to each of the ladies and are giving them something they will appreciate. Not just giving a gift to get it done with. KWIM?

Third was that those gifts are something I would love to recieve.

Keep on reading that gazette.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Those gifts are usually the most fun to give and receive! I bet your mom and MIL will love the pictures of your kids and cards made by them. I know my mom loves things like that.

I agree with everyone else. Good for you!

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Mary

I think both gifts sound great!
You are both resourceful and talented!!!
Since we all have to cut back these days to be able to afford groceries and gas, we can't have enough tight wad ideas!
My DH was repairing DD's outside water faucet a couple of weeks ago and when he needed a part he didn't have, he cut up a Coke can and made the part.

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

My mother and grandmother used to mention whenever a gift had been purchased at a discount, and have fun comparing who'd done better. My father hated it, but I figured half the fun of something like Christmas was figuring out how to do it cheaply, and being proud of it. That's one of the things I miss, now that I don't live near family.

MIL is getting flowers for mother's day. My own mother got a few hours of work on her computer, via remote assistance, and will be getting more this weekend.

Dd's room mom sent out a flyer this week for Teacher Appreciation Week. We were specifically instructed not to spend money and only give hand/home made gifts.

So we made a "bouquet" of flowers by cutting up my Better Homes & Gardens magazines. I cut pictures of a vase and then flowers (I stuck to one or two colored flowers). After we assembled it, the kids wrote a little note and then, I laminated it with my laminator. They turned out so cute that I made about 4 more for the grandparents and my dd made her teacher a bookmark. We also added various pictures to the bouquet too, like ladybugs, butterflies, a slice of lemon, a sprig of basil, etc.

My mom loved the one I gave her today. She said it was better than real flowers cause they won't die. LOL plus she's always concerned that we "waste" money on gifts for her. She'd rather see us save money than spend.

Now my dh is calling me the "Laminating Fool". Ha ha

Oh, origami flowers stuck on wires with florist's tape are cute and long-lasting too. I totally forgot about paper flowers. The only thing is you need to be a bit patient to make them. Tissue paper flowers would be fun if you're not so precise.

Origami here: Origami Instructions - Origami Lily
and more things here:
Make Cheap and Cheerful paper flowers in 30 minutes to celebrate Cinquo de Mayo! - Instructables - DIY, How To, art, craft
How to make paper daffodils and narcissi! - Instructables - DIY, How To, craft, art

No sew fleece blankets (if you can get the fleece cheap enough) make great gifts for moms and grandmas too. I noticed some styles are on clearance at WM for $3 a yard
No-Sew Fleece Blankets at Exploring Womanhood's Heart of the Home Channel

this is a good idea to file away for Christmas too. My boys made a cat print one for my Aunt (she is in her 70's, living in Illinios)...she was thrilled. She hates it when you spend too much money.
I picked up yesterday(at Salv. Army), a "New" book of favorite prayers wisdom of Pope John Paul II(whom she has always loved, it's a Polish thing), which I wrote down and promptly put in the gift closet for Christmas for her (if you dont keep a list, you will forget what you have and overbuy)...she lives alone, so I like to send her home made goodies too, and try to find a few small things to include in her package. She is one of those people most would consider "impossible " to buy for, but I have found with a bit of thought and time and luck, I usually thrill her.