Mother’s Day 2012 freebies

Mother’s Day 2012 freebies

It’s amazing how much Americans spend on Mother’s Day. And Mother’s Day 2012 — this Sunday, May 13 — is no different. If anything ,spending will be up over other years. The National Retail Federation says loved ones will spend about $150 on a Mother’s Day gift, up $12 from last year. With so many families going out to eat for the holiday, Americans are expected to spend $3.4 billion (with a B) at restaurants May 13. And flower spending is on the rise, too — florists should see some $2.2 billion (again, with a B) spent on flowers this year.

Recently, I put together a post on my Suddenly Frugal blog on free gifts to give Mom. In this post I’ll do you one better — freebies that you can enjoy with Mom on Mother’s Day. Here is a roundup of Mother’s Day 2012 freebies for moms and families.

Free food

• Take mom out for breakfast at Caribou Coffee, and when you buy a cup of coffee, her cup of coffee is FREE. You’ll need this coupon to get this Mother’s Day freebie.
• At Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, your mom can get a $25 gift card for FREE food in the future when you treat her to dinner there on Mother’s Day. Reservations are recommended. There are Fleming’s locations in 28 states.
• Mom gets free breakfast at IKEA before 11 a.m. Sunday, May 13. That free breakfast includes scrambled eggs, bacon and potatoes and a cup of coffee. While you’re there, maybe you can find a last-minute gift for her as well. IKEA offers free breakfast on Mondays as well as other food deals during the week.
• Treat mom to dessert at TCBY, where she’ll get five ounces of frozen yogurt FREE – at participating locations only.
• Moms eat free at Beef O’Brady’s locations on Mother’s Day. Her meal is free when you purchase another entree costing at least $10.
• Visit Denny’s Facebook page to send mom a free e-card for Mother’s Day, and in return Denny’s will send you and mom a coupon for a FREE skillet cookie a la mode.

Free stuff

• Traveling to New York City for Mother’s Day? You might want to stop by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square. Not only is the attraction offering FREE admission for moms on Sunday, but from noon until 5 p.m. Ripley’s has a free cupcake decorating — and eating — event going on for all the moms and kids to attend.
• Many museums and attractions around the country are offering moms FREE admission on Mother’s Day. I would recommend using your favorite search engine with the phrase “free admission” “Mother’s Day” and the name of your city to find the deals near you.
• Send a free e-card for Mother’s Day via the Redbox Facebook page, and your mom will get a FREE night’s movie rental at a nearby Redbox. (FYI, you’ll get a free night’s rental for yourself if you “Like” Redbox on Facebook first.)
• Target will give you FREE gift cards when you make certain electronics purchases as Mother’s Day gifts, according to the weekly ad. These include a $30 gift card free when you buy a certain Keurig coffee machine (hint hint hubby), a $40 gift card free when you buy a Nook color e-reader and a $25 gift card free when you buy an iPod Touch.
• If you’re shopping for clothing, accessories or fragrance at Sears, you’re a Shop Your Way Member and you spend $50, you’ll get a FREE chalkboard-sided mug on which you can write a special message to mom for Mother’s Day.