Celebrate mom without breaking the bank

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, (May 14) many of us are on the hunt for the perfect gift to give to the special women in our lives.

Hard to believe, but Mother’s Day is one of the biggest gift-giving holidays of the year — even more than Valentine’s Day. Consumers spent approximately $21.4 billion on Mother’s Day gifts in 2016, (compared with $19.7 billion for V Day), according to the National Retail Foundation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics. It may simply be a holiday that more people feel connected to, with approximately 84 percent of consumers planning to celebrate Mother’s Day, as opposed to 54.8 percent doing something for Valentine’s Day.

In 2016, spend totaled $172.22 per person for Mother’s Day gifts (no cheaping out for mom!). So what exactly are people buying?

• Jewelry: $4.2 billion (35.3 percent of purchases)
• Special Outings (such as brunch or dinner): $4.1 billion (55.2 percent)
• Flowers: $2.4 billion (66.5 percent)
• Gift Cards: $2.2 billion (43.2 percent)
• Clothing or Accessories: $1.9 billion (35.4 percent)
• Consumer Electronics: $1.9 billion (13.8 percent)

Not surprisingly, greeting cards were the most commonly purchased gift (78.4 percent of shoppers), but accounted for only $792 million of the projected spending (most likely due to their low cost).

Spending Wisely on Mother’s Day

With all of the splurging around Mother’s Day, here are some tips to celebrate mom without breaking the bank:

Channel Your Inner Chef: A 2016 Ebates survey of Moms found that the gift they wanted most was quality time with their family. This could include anything from making breakfast in bed, to an afternoon picnic or nice dinner.

Free, Fun Activities: Instead of doling out big bucks on a fancy outing, check out free activities offered in your area. Spend the day at a local park or go hiking. Attend a free concert or play. Or, enjoy a home movie night with popcorn.

Potted Plant Instead of Flowers: Flowers are beautiful, but can be pricey and are often dead within days. Instead, choose potted flowers or plants. They last much longer and also cost much less than a typical Mother’s Day bouquet. As an added bonus, every time mom sees it, she’ll think of you.

Deals are out there: Check out discount activity sites, such as Groupon , which offers lower prices on restaurants, events, gifts and hotels. Many restaurants actually have special deals on Mother’s Day, such as a free dessert.

This year, keep mom happy and your spending in check — she’ll be proud.