"It's the thought that counts" is a true story. When my children were old enough to think of (without Dad's help) and make an effort for my birthday or Mother's Day, this thought came home to me. Even a handmade, sloppy, useless ashtray made at school became precious. John, as an adult, was ever so pleased one day to see a coat rack he had made me (a plank of wood with four dowels, brightly painted by a seven year old) on the wall in trhe craft room.

As a gift giver, even the smallest thing is grand because of the effort, thought and love.
As a gift receiver, please appreciate even the slightest effort with full enthusiasm. The times you don't burn in a  giver's heart forever.

Instead of JUST flowers or candy, why not try:

A gift certificate for a day of favors, a special job to be done, a back rub.

A day off. A REAL day off. This means someone else will do the chores, dishes, laundry, fix her breakfast in bed (and not burnt), let her take a long bath, fix dinner, feed the animals and water the lawn. This means all of the above is simply not done, knowing full well Mom willl have to do it the next day anyway.

Dinner at her favorite restaurant or a rain check for one if you live in a town where you not dare try and eat out on Mother's Day or lunch on Secretary's Day.

If she has a green thumb, get her a really exotic plant. If she doesn't have a green thumb, get her a no-fail easy houseplant. Ask your local nursery for a pothos or asparagas fern. You almost can't kill these.

A large basket chalk full of neat things Go to your local department type store and grab a neat looking woven basket. Now walk around and fill the basket with neat stuff, from a new book, candle, special hand lotion, gourmet crackers, jam and tea, a proper tea cup and saucer, a new kitchen towel (guarenteed to be appreciated) or a silly stuffed toy. Pay attention to little comments all year, like, "Oh, darn these scissors." Her favorite candy, perfume, a tiny statue. Go to the dollar store.

Build a luxury bath basket. Take a basket and fill it with every thing you can possibly think of for a bath from a new fluffy towel set to nail files for a pedicure, body soaps, bubble bath, lotions, face mask, an expensive tiny shampoo. Give it to her with instructions to bring a radio, her favorite drink, a robe, etc, in the bathroom, lock the door and enjoy.

Make a Memory Jar. Ask your siblings and family to help. Buy a pretty container and fill it with memories that everyone has written down on pieces of the same size or type paper. Make them as short or long as you wish. "Remember the time I got lost at the mall and they had to page "Mommy" for a six year old in blue jeans and ice cream all over a yellow tee shirt? You knew immediately it was me and I was SOO glad to see you!!"  Just recalling the events to place in the container is a delight!

Write her a poem, or find an appropriate song that means something special to you, or both of you, and buy her the music for it.

Buy her a Willow tree figurine. Incredible, inexpensive, priceless pieces that go beyond words.  Just pop Willow tree in your browser.