Mother's Day on a budget

SPA DAY: Create a spa bath setting at home for mom to unwind in.Picture: PR Newswire

SPA DAY: Create a spa bath setting at home for mom to unwind in.Picture: PR Newswire

Published May 11, 2017

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There are a few Mother's Day traditions that cannot be ignored. The handmade card the little ones make at school, kids serving mom breakfast in bed (dad is usually assisted by the kids), freshly picked flowers from the garden or that of the neighbours and of course doing all the chores on the day. Basically mom should do as little as possible.

Other, more special and extravagant treats usually come at a high price. Of course, we would all love to spoil mom with something extra special, but for those on a tight budget it's almost impossible to do so. But do you really need to spend a fortune to make her feel special and treat like the queen she is?

Here are a few ideas on how to give mom a spa day (or a few spa treats) that won't make a dent in your pocket.

Before you do anything further, dad will have to get the younger kids out of the house for a few hours. I would suggest taking them to a park, a walk or a visit to grandma depending on the treatments you want do. If you want to create a full day at the “spa” then a bit more planning will have to go into getting the kids out the house.

The following ideas are ideal for the older kids or the one all grown up (even dad) to do with mom:

SPA DAY: Create a spa bath setting at home for mom to unwind in.Picture: PR Newswire

Basic Manicure

BUSY moms often don’t have the time to do something as simple as applying a bit of nail polish, never mind having the time to sit at a salon to have a manicure. Even if she does, all the work she does around the house doesn’t make it last very long. Which is another reason why she doesn’t even bother. But this shouldn’t stop you from giving her a little treat by doing it for her. Here are some tips on how to give her a basic manicure.

Steps to a basic home manicure

● Remove any nail polish if she has any.

● Using a nail file, shape her nails following natural shape of her nails.

● Soak her hands in warm water followed by a simple exfoliating sugar scrub.

● Gently push back cuticles.

● Moisturise hands with her favourite hand lotion. This is a great opportunity to give her hand massage. We use our hands all the time so a gentle massage can do wonders.

● Now her nails are ready to be made glam with a nail polish colour of her choice. Apply a top coat to make sure that her perfect manicure last.

SPA DAY: Create a spa bath setting at home for mom to unwind in.Picture: PR Newswire

Massage

A HARD working mom is one person

who needs a massage the most.

To relieve aching feet, pain in neck

and shoulders caused by tension. How

often haven’t you seen mom rubbing her

aching feet at the end of the day? Now

it is your chance to do it for her. There’s

nothing complicated about giving mom a

neck and shoulder massage, but we get so

caught up in our own lives that we don’t

even think about offering to do so. 

First, you will need an oil of some kind

to make massaging easier.

Coconut oil is a great option since it’s

an ingredient many already have at home.

It has a pleasant smell and it’s a great

moisturiser.

Another option which can be found

around the house is olive oil. 

If you have the means to purchase

an aromatic oil, here are a few options: 

Lavender oil is effective for pain relief

and insomnia. 

Peppermint oil is great for

tired feet. 

Bergamont is good for lifting the

mood. 

You can easily take a foot massage a

step further and include a pedicure as

well. 

Steps on how to do a basic home

pedi is similar to that of a manicure. 

● Remove any nail polish. 

● Soak her feet in warm water for

about 10 minutes. Add a few drops of

peppermint oil. 

● Clip and file toenails following its

natural shape. Then gently push back

cuticles. 

● Scrub away callouses which usually

occur on the back of the heels with

a pumice stone. Be careful not to over

scrub. 

● Dry your feet and make sure to wipe

nails to apply nail polish. Complete with

a top coat. 

SPA DAY: Create a spa bath setting at home for mom to unwind in.Picture: PR Newswire

Spa Bath

WHO doesn’t like to have a long soak in

a hot bath? Relaxing in a hot bath makes

you feel like you are melting all your

troubles away. A little escape from the

world. 

Create a spa-like body soak for mom

by running a special bath by adding a few

drops of essential oils or scented foam

bath. 

Set the mood in the bathroom by

creating a warm glow by lighting a few

scented candles.

Pour her a glass of wine or make her a

cup of camomile tea to sip in the bath.

Place her favourite magazine or a book

she hasn’t had the time to read within

reach.

If possible have her favourite tunes

playing softly in the background.

Now all you have to do is allow her

to relax undisturbed for at least

30 minutes.

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