Mother's Day

Since we're in the middle of the most serious economic depression since the 1930s, we’re likely to be very concerned about our budgets when we shop for mom or grandma for Mother’s Day this year. MarketWatch, an online statistics mill says we’ll spend a minimum of 10% less that usual on Mother's Day gifts.

No reason to panic though, there are terrific digital gifts for mom and grandma in nearly every price range. Stores are making the buy easier with layaway plans and sales. Here are a few ideas:

Zero to $25.00

• Set up a social media account for your favorite mama. Choose FaceBook, Twitter, or, if she’s a rather professional-career type, LinkedIn. MySpace is too big, too complicated in my opinion. Add photos, comments fro all family members. Sit down, maybe over a glass of wine or cup of tea, and show her how to use it.

• Using MS Word templates, or other software, create a coupon book that offers your mother or grandmother your time, your energy and your company. Make a coupon good for a movie date with her. Make one that provides a lawn mowing session, car wash, or closet cleaning.

• If she has an iPhone or iPodTouch, you can find awesome apps at less than $5. Grab her phone, buy and download a couple you know she’ll like, or give her a gift card from iTunes.

• Enroll her in the Netflix movie rental by mail programs – about $4 to $20 per month.

Under $50

• Her favorite movie, concert or TV series on DVD.

• A gift card from Audible.com where she can download audio books at the click of a button.

• Anyone of a number of little MP3 players from Sansa (Sandisk). Visit their website for some really cute and affordable players, music storage and gadgets.

•  A long distance calling card to put her in touch with friends and family who can’t be with her. If your mom or grandmother has a soldier in her life, send the calling card to the soldier. Give mother a lovely greeting card telling her that her soldier will be in touch more often.

• There are cool digital photo frames now for about $39-$49. I bought each of my kids a 7” model for Christmas last year and loaded them with pics of their babies. Victop brand 480x234, special effects, too! It was a hit! Keychain frames are popular, too.

• Bluetooth cellular phone headpieces. Around $50 for Plantonics Voyager, and two different models from Jabra.

More than $50

• Top on my list is the Nintendo DSi that rolled out a couple of weeks ago. It plays music, takes pictures, plays games and has terrific resolution and features. The game console is about $169. Have Papa spend that dough, and the kids and grandkids can pool their funds to buy some crossword puzzle games, brain teasers or who knows, ninja games?

• iPod touch or iPhone. I thought at first I’d never have a need for these gadgets. I was wrong. I use mine every day, every hour. It’s the apps that do it – keep me organized, connected, entertained, and even helps me take quick notes on a story idea. If you’re going for the impressive gift – this is a "can’t miss" gift

• Wireless TV headphones. These run from about $50 and up and are a wonderful thing to have around. I watch TV late at night, my husband turns in pretty early. I can laugh with Lettermen (if I giggle quietly) by way of my wireless headphones. The sound is terrific. Mine are Sony’s mid-price point and I love them. Lots of manufacturers have them.

Love is, of course, the root of even the humblest gift and it’s the tinsel on the most elaborate. We moms and grandmothers don’t care what the cost is, if your heart, your time and your thoughts of us were part of your shopping trip, we promise we’ll have a delightfully happy Mother’s Day.