Mother's Day gifts

Mother's Day, which is this coming Sunday, is fast approaching. College students have limited budgets and limited time.

However, this holiday does not allow for excuses.

Your mom birthed and raised you. She deserves something special.

If money isn't an issue:

* Buy Mom a gift certificate to a spa or her favorite restaurant. Let her know that you appreciate her hard work and that she deserves to be pampered.

No money to spare:

* Hallmark cards always show you care. At an average of $2 -- 3, this won't break the bank.

* Go back to your youth and make a homemade card. Remind her of when putting paint on the walls was cute, instead of rebellious.

* Freshly picked flowers (that are not from her garden).

* Give mom a hug.

Get her to shed a tear:

* Give her a book from your childhood. Write her a note on the inside cover detailing what it meant to you and the times you remember spending with her.

* If you will be home before Mother's Day, dig up some old artwork from childhood. Frame your best or most memorable artwork.

* Make a collage of pictures of you and her from the time you were young until now.

Spend time with her:

* Take mom to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Spend some quality time with her over a good meal.

* Have cooking talents? Make her breakfast, lunch or dinner. She will appreciate the effort and it will give her one less meal to worry about.

* Rent or buy her favorite movie and make a movie night of it. Don't forget her favorite drink and movie snacks to go along with the popcorn.

Out-of-state moms:

* 1-800-Flowers.com sends flower arrangements and other gift baskets. Other delivery services can be found under the local section of websites such as Yahoo.com.

* Take a picture of yourself with a digital camera while you hold a sign with a personalized greeting or one that says "Happy Mother's Day."

At the very least, don't forget to give mom a call.

From staff reports. E-mail scene@thesantaclara.com.