Mother's Day is in the bag (or basket) at the dollar store

Mother's Day is May 10, and speaking from experience, it isn't how much you pay for a gift, it's more a case of simply acknowledging how much your Mom means to you. You can do that with a card and a single carnation. Or you could make up a really nice spa gift for Mom using items from the dollar store and only spend $5, $10 or whatever your budget will allow.

Dollar Tree online has a page set up to help you build a gift basket for Mom. First, choose a basket for $1, add your gifts, which may include fragrances and home spa items for $1 each and lastly, wrap it up using a basket bag, which comes in a two-pack for $1 or basket wrap that comes on rolls of 30" x 10" for $1 each. If you can't decide what Mom might like, let her choose by giving her a Dollar Tree gift card.

99-cent Only Stores shows you how to treat Mom to breakfast in bed for under $4. They are featuring a package of four bagels, a 32 oz. container of prune juice, a dozen eggs and 1/2 lb. of butter, all at 99-cents each. They also have greeting cards that come with perfume, Jordache fragrances and a 13" tall chocolate rose in a box for 99-cents each.

Family Dollar offers gift suggestions like candle or home fragrance gift sets for $5 each, Mother's Day figurines for $2 each and picture frames ranging in price from $2 to $5 each.

Dollar General has nice-looking boxed fragrance gift sets for Mom that are only $6 each. These include White Diamond, Stroll in the Dark and Precious. They also have individual body mist, shower gel, body scrub, body lotion and bath salts for a buck each. These items come in raspberry, green tea, vanilla and lavender scents.

A set of five of these spa items in a gift bag or basket will make a substantial looking gift. Then just add a card and a lot of love and you'll be all ready to celebrate Mom on her special day.

Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes tips and ideas for home decorating using only items from the dollar store.