Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually every February 14. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday. It is the day that couples celebrate love by showing appreciation to each other. Usual gifts are flowers, chocolates, and dinner dates. Some could afford an expensive hotel dinner or a set of jewellery.
Valentine’s Day can be celebrated as well by parents and their youngsters. For teenage kids thinking of ways how to thank their moms without blowing their budget, Momi Berlin shares ideas where children could bring their parents with a budget of P500.
Pamper and beauty session
Valentine’s Day Mom Treat on a Budget
Moms love to be pampered. They may not be vocal about it, but trust us, they do. Treat the lady of the house to a quick foot massage or a manicure and pedicure. If you think she deserves a haircut, then opt for a salon trip. Only when you can spare more, and your mom wants her hair dyed or treated should you request the hairstylist for additional service.
Something sweet and bitter
This time, let a barista serve your mother her favorite coffee. Partner it with a slice of cake or a piece of her preferred cookie. This is an excellent gift for moms who enjoy a cup of joe at any time of the day.
Going to a cafe is also a nice break, especially for stay-at-home moms. This might be that perfect opportunity to have your one-on-one time with her. Perhaps it’s the time as well when you can talk about anything and don’t have to worry about your dad or other siblings listening in. Or listen to your mother’s stories because most probably, she has a dozen and more stories to tell having been left at home most of the time.
Manicured lawns or parks
Turn your living room into a picnic area with all the carpet or blanket, flowers, and food in a basket. You may also set up outside your house, especially if you have a perfectly manicured lawn and gigantic trees. As you set up that blanket for your picnic, those big trees will provide the shade. You may also check for parks with beautiful blooms, vibrant greens, and even a pond with little ducks swimming.
Prepare your mom’s favorite dish or snack. Impress her with your cooking or baking skills. Don’t worry as what’s so lovely about mothers is that they aren’t judgmental. They would not take it against you if your dish were a little bland or too overpowering with herbs and spices. What they see and taste instead is your effort to make the celebration a day to remember.
If you find it hard what to serve her, one dish you surely wouldn’t go wrong is chicken adobo. Why? Surely, you cannot remember a time when there wasn’t adobo in the dining table. Chicken adobo has been a staple at any Filipino’s dining table. As every Pinoy has his version, it is still that enticing aroma of steaming rice combined with vinegary and gingerly adobo that makes your mouth water immediately and makes you remember that growing up, it is your favorite meal.
Chicken Adobo Recipe
MOMI BERLIN Valentine’s Day Mom Treat on a Budget
We are very fortunate that our lola was able to teach us her well-loved adobo. And we would love to share her recipe as well.
Ingredients
2 pcs potatoes, chopped
Procedure
In a mixing bowl, toss in all the ingredients except for the banana blossoms, potatoes, pepper, and salt. Marinate for about an hour or two. Keep in mind that adobo is always better the next day so if you can opt for an overnight marinade, the better.
Sear the chicken in a pot until the skin starts to caramelize. Then throw in the marinade. Add the banana blossom and potatoes. Let it simmer until the broth is glazed and saucy. Cook the adobo covered for about 20 minutes. Add pineapple if you like and serve hot.
Valentine’s Day Mom Treat on a Budget
Many moms are most probably the same. They have this noble intention to take care of their family. They can be selfless for the sake of their children’s happiness.
Of course, they would be happy and even shed a tear or two when their children wow them with expensive trinkets. They would also be proud of their kids and tell the whole world about that top production the latter prepared.
Whatever their family gave them or forgot to gift them, they will remain a mother because motherhood for them is not about themselves. It is about family and togetherness.
Now, do yourself a favor and greet your mom a happy Valentine’s Day. If you have P500, choose from the list what you can give. If the cost is too steep, you can always split it with your siblings. And should you don’t have any, a sincere greeting would do. You can also cook for her – something she would treasure forever and would surely bring a smile to her face.
Such a brilliant reminder that Valentine’s Day can be for self care as well. <3 Enjoy it!
Valentine’s day equal to self care, seem amazing.
Also I am a huge fan of chiken, It make my mouth watering, Thanks for sharing this!!!
This is so beautiful! I would love to treat my mom on Valentine’s day, I am gonna actually do it.
These are really great ideas to treat your mom on Valentine’s Day! She will definitely love this. And that Chicken Adobo looks really delicious.
These are great ideas! The chicken dish looks amazing!
Well, this is a better way of doing it. Giving chocolates and flowers is a cliche’. Love those ideas!
What an amazing ideas and great treat for our mothers reference. I love the featured recipe which is one of my favorite Filipino dish “Chicken Adobo”.
Valentine’s Day is a special day but we can always celebrate without breaking our budget. Great tips and recipe, I’d always wait for adobo, anything adobo I like!
Self care is so important and a holiday like valentines day, you can always find great deals.
Such brilliant ad lovely thoughts. Its good to learn for me as a daughter and why not show it to my son maybe he gets some idead
Ah yes, being served coffee and perhaps a piece of cake would be perfect. I do love the holiday.
I would love the chicken adobo for my Valentine lunch. Yum! It is making me hungry right now.