Finding Mother’s Day gifts while in a crunch for time and money can be difficult, so listed below are local Mother’s Day gift ideas that are cheap and easy to grab last minute.
1. Edible Arrangements
Edible Arrangements is a shop where you can buy fresh fruit bouquets and other items.
According to the Edible Arrangements website, there are around 45 different options for gifts under $30, ranging from small fruit bouquets to cookie platters to pretzel making kits.
Some gifts can be customized, and you can choose the style balloon or the style gift wrap you’d like on the box, according to the Edible Arrangements website.
It is important to note that many items are only available for pickup in-store, instead of delivery, according to the website.
Fortunately, Edible Arrangements has a store just four minutes away from ECC, making it easy for ECC students to go in and out for a quick gift.
2. Hobby Lobby
Hobby Lobby has always supported customers in their crafts and hobbies, according to the “Our Story” page on Hobby Lobby’s website.
Mother’s Day is no different. According to their website, Hobby Lobby stores have a variety of Mother’s Day products that are cheap and easy to grab.
Evangeline Rodriguez, an employee at the Hobby Lobby in the Otter Creek Shopping Center, said, “If anyone came into our store looking for help on gifts, we’d be happy to help,” she said. “We’d have to ask them questions about their mom, then we’d be able to figure it out from there, whether [mom] has a favorite color, hobby, or other interests.”
Hobby Lobby has lots of DIY options for those looking for gifts that come from a more personal angle. “We have wooden baskets that you can fill with our fake flowers,” Rodriguez said. “We have a bunch of those, and depending on which flower and what size flower you choose, prices can range from about $4.99 to around $16.99.”
Hobby Lobby also holds different Mother’s Day cards, according to Rodriguez. “We have some [cards] that are 3D,” she said. “One type has flowers that pop out when you open it, and another has a square vase of flowers. There’s plenty of variety.” Some gifts at Hobby Lobby are already ready to wrap up, and some gifts can be further customized.
“I know we have a white heart-shaped trinket dish that says “Best Mom Ever” written in blue, and [the dish] is meant to hold jewelry, but it could also be for display,” Rodriguez said. “If you’re looking for more customization, we have a white photo holder shaped like a flower with the words “I love you mom” on it. You can insert a personal printed photo at the top.”
According to Hobby Lobby’s website, most items on their Mother’s Day page range very cheap, around the $5 – $15 mark. Hobby Lobby is a great place to find gifts that are affordable yet charming.
3. Crumbl
Crumbl is a nationwide company that changes their menu every week, creating a new experience for customers each time they visit.
According to Crumbl’s website, their “Mothers Day Bundle” consists of a six or 12 pack of large or mini pre-determined desserts. All are decorated with Mother’s Day themed toppers and placed in a themed pink box.
“[The six pack bundles] will consist of two pink sugar, two pink velvet heart cakes, and two chocolate covered strawberry cookies,” Jennifer Krumm, owner of Crumbl’s South Elgin location, said.
The 12 pack boxes consist of the same cookies, but doubled.
The plastic toppers consist of a trophy reading “world’s best mom,” a flower, and a cookie pierced with a flag that reads “mom,” according to Crumbl’s website.
According to Crumbl’s website, customers can order in advance, or place an order in person from May 4 through May 9. Prices depend on the size bundle ordered, but the cheapest option would be the mini six bundle, for $19.99.
“The price is the same as a regular six or 12 pack, but you’re getting the toppers, the specialty box that [the desserts] are put in, and a sticker on the front of the box,” Krumm said.
“[Cookies] are made daily, so they’re fresh,” Krumm said. “We bake from scratch, and we keep them in our warmers for a limited amount of time, so it’s guaranteed the quality is there.”
“I think this is a great gift for those who love Crumbl,” she said. “The boxes are cute, the stickers are nice, so I do think moms would enjoy them.”
4. Nothing Bundt Cakes
Nothing Bundt Cakes is a worldwide store that sells different flavored bundt cakes dressed in cream cheese frosting.
According to Nothing Bundt Cakes’ website, the company sells four sizes of cakes, but we will focus on the cheapest and easiest option: the bundt towers.
You can choose a single, double, or triple bundlet tower, but no matter which one you choose, they come wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon. Prices range from $8.29 – $20.87.
For a more personal gift, along with choosing each flavor, you can customize the ribbon, flag, and message card that comes with the wrapping. You can even include a little flower on top of the cakes, although this is an upcharge for $0.50.
The closest stores around ECC are around a 20-22 minute drive, in either Hoffman Estates or Geneva Commons. It’s a bit of a drive, but there is a delivery service on their website. Just be aware of the delivery fee!
5. Mama Lee’s Popcorn
Mama Lee’s is a small popcorn business in Downtown Elgin, and they specialize in gourmet popcorn flavors.
According to Mama Lee’s website, they have 70 flavors and counting. They have classic flavors, like kettle corn and cheese, but mostly focus on the unique side. Some flavors include peanut butter and jelly, pizza, pineapple, and cheddar pretzel.
According to the Mama Lee’s website, a large size popcorn is $12.99, and a one gallon tub is $24.99. The two other sizes, a two gallon tub and a 3.5 gallon tub, have higher prices.
According to their website, Mama Lee’s Popcorn was inspired by the mother of Christopher Sumner, the owner of the shop. Sumner perfected his mother’s popcorn recipe, then took off with it and started creating the fun and unique flavors seen today, according to the website.
Mama Lee’s is an approximately 12 minute drive from ECC, making it easy to grab a fun flavor popcorn for Mothers Day.
