by Patti Beckert

Created on: November 19, 2009

Moms are just about the easiest people to buy Christmas gifts for. Ask most moms what they want for Christmas and the usual answer will be "oh honey, I don't need anything for Christmas other than for the family to be together this year," or "don't worry about me; I just want you to be happy this Christmas." Those are typical "mom" answers. This makes buying a gift for mom a win/win situation, because no matter what you buy her, two to one, she is going to love it and you for giving it.

Although $10 or less doesn't seem like a lot to spend on someone you literally owe your existence to, you'd be surprised with today's bargains what nice gifts you can find for that amount of money. The following are a few suggestions of what to buy your mom for Christmas this year.

Frame or Photo Album - A nice decorative frame or photo album is a very handy gift to get someone who never tires of taking photos of her most precious children. You can usually find better quality frames and albums at a reduced price at such stores as TJ Maxx and Marshall's. Craft stores such as Hobby Lobby run sales of 50% off these type of items quite regularly. Feel free to shop in the clearance aisles as that is where the best bargains can be found.

Kitchen Towels, Pot Holders and Oven Mitts - If you have a mom who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, then she will never turn down a brand new set of kitchen towels and potholders or oven mitt. Look for something that fits nicely with your mom's kitchen dcor, be it apple-themed, roosters, or any number of other popular motifs. You can find these gifts at stores such as Wal-mart, K-mart and Target at reasonable prices.

Bath and Shower Gift Sets. Not only can you find bath and shower gift sets at the usual discount stores and drug stores for $10 or less, but various mall stores such as Bath & Body Works and H2O are also offering deep discounts on some of their most popular products just in time for Christmas. Due to a stale economy this year, most retailers are cutting their prices on many popular gift items and that means that your $10 this year will go much further than in previous years.

Scented Candles and Potpourri. Moms love to make their homes smell nice. You'll find a wide assortment of scented candles and/or scented oil burners in your price range at stores such as Pier 1 Imports, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and World Market. In fact, at the prices offered at those stores this year, you'll more than likely walk out of the store with change in your pocket.

Cozy slippers or a personal throw. For those chilly winter nights, you can never go wrong with buying your mom something to keep her comfy, cozy and warm, and this year, you can find a large assortment of slippers or decorated personal throw blankets for under $10 at most discount stores.

The best gifts to get your mom are gifts that she would not normally buy for herself. Listen to your mom throughout the year and you can pick up hints about what she might like for Christmas such as the latest kitchen gadget, her favorite candle or potpourri scent, or a subscription to her favorite magazine. She may drop hints that she is almost out of her favorite body lotion. Be on the alert for these hints so that when it comes time to buy her a gift, you'll have a pretty good idea what it is she would like and just hope that it costs $10 or less.

Learn more about this author, Patti Beckert.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.