A little birdie told me you’re looking for Mothers Day gift basket ideas that won’t bankrupt you or require a glue gun degree? Well, my friend, you have found your safe space! 😉
This guide will walk you through how to make beautiful gift baskets for the moms in your life using inexpensive items from stores like Dollar Tree, Walmart, Temu, Amazon, and even Dollar General. These baskets look high-end but are super low-cost to create.
Whether you want to surprise your mom with something special this year, or you’re helping your kids put together a sweet gift for grandma, these ideas are easy to follow and don’t require a big budget.
And hey—if you find yourself making a few extras, you can always sell them on Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or to friends and coworkers for some quick cash. But the main goal here is to show love without spending a fortune. Because let’s be honest—unless you’re secretly a Kardashian, you’re probably watching your wallet like the rest of us!
The good news? You don’t need to spend big bucks to impress mom. So, in true Taylor Swift fashion… let’s dive in. No, not into a stage trapdoor (although honestly, that looked kind of fun), but into Mothers Day gift baskets that you can pull together with a little creativity, a quick trip to the dollar store, and maybe whatever’s still lingering in your closet from last Christmas! Hey, she’s a mom after all—unconditional love is kind of in the job description… right? Right?? Lol.
Mothers Day Gift Baskets on a Budget
I created a variety of baskets using affordable items I picked up throughout the year. My approach is simple: mix budget-friendly pieces from discount stores with one or two name-brand or cute accent items.
The goal? Easy. To create AFFORDABLE Mothers Day gift baskets that look thoughtful and like they were made with love – without draining your wallet! Doable? Of course!
Here are a few Basket styles I made this year:
Basket Style 1: Pink Bath Set with Prayer Cards
This one has soft, relaxing vibes and is super easy to make.
What’s inside:
- Pink bath salt and shower gel (Dollar Tree)
- Victoria’s Secret body spray (scored for $4 with a coupon)
- Pink mug from Walmart (repurposed from Halloween clearance)
- Prayer cards from Dollar General
These kinds of sets are perfect Mothers Day gift basket ideas because they feel truly meaningful but cost very little to create. And the prayer cards? A really nice, personal touch!
Basket Style 2: Yellow Spa Set for Spring
This bright yellow set works beautifully for Mothers Day or even just as a spring-themed gift.
What’s inside:
- Yellow bath salt and shower gel (Dollar Tree)
- Golden-yellow Victoria’s Secret body spray
- “Mom” cup from Dollar Tree
- Prayer cards (Dollar General)
- Yellow body sponge
The items all tie together by color, and the sponge helps fill space and makes the basket feel complete. It’s cheerful, affordable, and eye-catching—great for Mothers Day gift baskets on a budget.
Basket Style 3: Spa Night Basket with Slippers
This one feels more pampering—particularly nice for moms who could use a little self-care. You know, the ones who simply refuse to do it for themselves because they’re too busy taking care of everyone else. We all have a mom or two in our life just like that!
What’s inside:
- Cozy slippers from Temu
- Softsoap hand soap (it may look half-full, but that’s how it’s sold)
- Bath salts and steamers (PopShelf)
- Pink bracelet from Walmart ($1 deal)
- Ice roller for the face
- A gift box or tray
Don’t be afraid to mix Dollar Tree staples with small splurges like the ice roller or bracelet. It helps keep your Mothers Day gifts on a budget while still feeling special.
Basket Style 4: Candle Lover’s Basket
This one is warm, cozy, and perfect for the mom who loves to relax with a nice candle.
What’s inside:
- Body sponge (Dollar Tree)
- Spa pillow
- Bath salts and shower steamers (PopShelf)
- Scented candle (Dollar General)
I made two of these—almost identical, except for the candle styles. One had a butterfly lid, and it looked extra cute. Even if something ends up upside down (like my shower steamers—oops), don’t stress. Done is better than perfect, especially with Mothers Day gifts on a budget.
My Mothers Day Gift Basket Strategy
This year, I skipped the pressure of setting a number goal. I’m just making what I can, one basket at a time. No stress. No guilt.
Keeping the designs simple has helped me finish more baskets without burning out. When your goal is to create Mothers Day gift baskets on a budget, it’s better to keep it easy and repeatable. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—just focus on combining affordable, cute items in a thoughtful way.
How to Make Mothers Day Gifts Baskets on a Budget
If you’re new to DIY baskets or just need some guidance, here are my best tips:
1. Shop Year-Round
Pick up clearance items after holidays. Even Halloween mugs or Christmas candles can be reused for Mothers Day if they fit your color scheme.
2. Mix Dollar Store with Name Brands
Pair Dollar Tree basics like bath salts and loofahs with small upgrades like Dove lotion or Victoria’s Secret spray. This combo keeps your Mothers Day gift experience special but still feels elevated.
3. Keep Fillers Handy
Sponges, socks, lip balms, prayer cards—all great for filling space and adding value.
4. Reuse What You Have
Don’t feel like you need new containers. Use boxes, trays, or baskets left over from Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or other occasions.
Budget-Friendly Bottom Line
Here’s the thing: creating meaningful Mothers Day gifts on a budget isn’t just doable—it’s honestly kind of fun. Once you realize you don’t have to spend $75 on a pre-made gift basket wrapped in shrink wrap and crushed hopes, it’s like a lightbulb goes off.
You can make something that’s thoughtful, personal, and beautiful using $1 items, some ribbon you found in the back of your junk drawer, and that candle you forgot you bought last November. And when you hand it to your mom (or grandma, or bonus mom, or auntie, or church mama, or whoever you’re celebrating), she’s not going to say, “Did this come from a fancy spa?” She’s going to say, “Aww, you made this for me?” And that’s the win.
Because at the end of the day, moms don’t care if your bath salts came from Dollar Tree or a five-star hotel. They care that you thought of them. That you picked out a mug with her in mind. That you tucked in a little prayer card or soft sponge because you knew she deserved a moment of peace and pampering. That’s the kind of thing that makes people feel seen—and you can’t put a price tag on that (even though we definitely did try to keep it under $10).
And if you make a few extras and want to test out selling them? Even better. There are people out there right now on Facebook Marketplace looking for last-minute Mothers Day gifts because they forgot it was this weekend. You could be their hero. Their budget-friendly, sponge-stuffing, ribbon-wrapping hero. Plus, that side cash? It doesn’t hurt.
But here’s your permission slip, just in case you need it:
- You don’t need to make it perfect.
- You don’t need to make a hundred of them.
- You don’t even need to use new stuff.
Start small. Start simple. Use what you already have. Repurpose. Reuse.
Throw in a loofah and a prayer card and call it a day. Your mom will love it—and if she doesn’t, well, she’s still legally obligated to smile and pretend she does. That’s how moms work.
So go grab a basket (or a cute box, or a dollar store bin), get your supplies together, and start crafting something sweet. And if you end up covered in shredded paper filler and hot glue string? You’re doing it right.
If this post gave you ideas, encouragement, or just made you chuckle, feel free to share it. Stick around for a lil’ bit more “DIY gift inspo”, creative side hustle tips, and other clever ways to show love without breaking the bank.
Happy basket making—and an even happier Mothers Day!
