The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 5, 2010 · 18 Happy Mother's Day Mother's Day on a budget can still be special A lot of people are still feeling the financial pinch this year and keeping a close eye on spending, but that doesn't mean your mom should not feel appreciated and loved. So what's on your agenda for Mom this May 10th? This year, ensure the money you spend is on gifts of value, items that will last and keep on giving. Below are some creative tips to help you make your mom feel loved, appreciated and pampered ­ without breaking the bank: Gifts from your heart will warm hers. Come up with a gift that is personal and one you know she will love and enjoy. For example, if your mom loves to go for walks, why not get her an MP3 player and load it up with her favourite songs to keep the bounce in her step? MP3 players have dropped dramatically in price, while increasing in quality. Try a Philips Go Gear audio/video player for as little as $49.95. A mouth-watering menu for Mom. If you live close to your mom, pop by with some of her favourite foods. Why not also write out a personal menu and decorate it so your mom feels like she is at her own personal restaurant. Make sure to prepare some nice appetizers for your mom to enjoy while you are cooking. Bring the spa to your ma. Your mom can enjoy the relaxing benefits of a spa in the comfort of her own home. Some aesthetician services make house-calls, so you can arrange for a day of professional pampering. Another idea would be to create a personal spa basket filled with some of the amazing products available, like the Philips SatinPerfect Epilator or SalonStraight Sonic hair straightener. These products offer spa like quality but without the huge price tag. Plus, they can be used over and over for years to come. Your mom is worth a day of indulgence so make sure you plan to wow her and show her how much she means to you. Mother's Day gifts with a personal touch This Mother's Day, make her heart smile and her feet sing. For every Mom you know who's always wanted to dance. (NC)--Flowers. Spa days. Lavish dinners. On Mother's Day, there are a variety of ways to recognize the special women who have made a difference in our lives. In fact, a recent study conducted by Yahoo indicated that over 85 percent of consumers celebrate the second Sunday in May, spending billions of dollars on gifts. Times are changing, however, and many experts are noticing an increased trend towards Mother's Day gifts with a more personal touch. According to Shelli Gardner, CEO and cofounder of crafting company Stampin' Up!, a growing number of Canadians are choosing handmade or personalized Mother's Day gifts that were created especially for the receiver. "Showing your love and appreciation for Mom doesn't have to cost a fortune," said Gardner. "The gift with the greatest impact, the one that shows you truly wanted to make someone feel special, is the one you make yourself." Gardner suggests the following Mother's Day gift ideas for creative types: www.newscanada.com Handmade cards: Creating a unique do-ityourself Mother's Day card can be as simple as gathering coloured paper, punches and rubber stamps, or investing in a ready-made cardmaking kit that includes all required supplies. Include favourite photos, phrases, and colours, and don't be afraid to get decorative with ribbons and other accessories. Personalized jewellery: There was a time when handmade Mother's Day jewellery meant paper-clip necklaces and other grade school art projects, but there are some new options available that make it easy for creative types of all ages to create professional-quality customized necklaces, bracelets and other adornments. Consider taking a class at a local studio, or invest in a kit like Stampin' Up!'s Simply Adorned collection, which includes chains, bracelets and locket-style charms (visit stampinup.ca for information about where to buy). For example, consider adding an antique-style charm with a favourite childhood photo to a necklace chain for a keepsake that will be (literally) close to Mom's heart. Mother's Day scrapbook: Theentire family can get together to pool favourite photos, vacation mementos and other special souvenirs to create a special Mother's Day scrapbook. Work with a traditional album and crafting materials or go high-tech and try an option like My Digital Studio, an easy-to-use software-based design studio that features thousands of exclusive images, colours, and accessories. Call now: 905.849.0008 No partner required. No experience necessary. Mississauga | Oakville