Mother's Day can be unique and inexpensive with these gifts

She gave birth to you. She makes sure you're fed, clean and prepared for the day. She finds your keys and reminds you of appointments. It's time to get your mom a gift (by Sunday, Mother's Day, preferably).

Since the best gifts are thoughtful ones, here are a few ideas (and they're less than $25).

Take her out
Several local attractions are honoring Mother's Day with special deals.

Miss Hampton II harbor cruise. Moms cruise for free with the purchase of another adult ticket at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Sunday. The cruise departs from downtown Hampton and includes a tour of the Chesapeake Bay, a stop at Fort Wool and a review of the warships at Norfolk Naval Base. Adult tickets are $22.50. Reservations are suggested, call 722-9102.

"Blues Clues." The Hurrah Players will perform a play based on the popular Nickelodeon show. Mothers can attend the show for free with a paid companion. Performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Nauticus in Norfolk. Tickets are $10 for children and $17 for adults for the theater performance. 627-5437.

Nauticus. Mothers can get free admission to the museum with the purchase of a child's ticket ($8.50). Waterside Drive, Norfolk. 664-1000.

"Romeo and Juliet, On Motifs of Shakespeare." You can get one ticket free with the purchase of another ticket to the Mother's Day performance. The ballet is based on Shakespeare's classic love story, but this version ends happily. Tickets for the 2:30 p.m. Sunday performance are $20-$75. To get the discount, use the password "mother" at the Virginia Arts Festival box office at MacArthur Mall, when calling 800-982-ARTS or on the vafest.org Web site.

Make it personal
Pictures are a universal treasure. Organize a personal keepsake based on your family's photos. With software programs, Web sites and in-store options, there are many ways to personalize and upgrade a photo book.

Recordable album. The 15-page scrapbook-style book has pre-designed pages that allow picture additions and handwritten tributes. You also can record a message that will play on the book's cover. ($18, Hallmark).

Digital scrapbook pages. Start a scrapbook for your mom without the glue or scissors. The Web site howfasttheygrow.com allows you to design 12-by-12 scrapbook pages on the computer. The site is free to use, although it costs $5.50 to have each page printed on card stock paper.

Shipping is an additional fee.

Framed keepsake. Michelle Stepp, blogger at Everydaycelebrating.com, framed one of her son's onesies as a reminder to savor every moment. A similar method can be used to create a keepsake of other cherished items, such as a baby's first hat or blanket.

For the techie mom
Here's a 21st-century take on a chore coupon. The Web site wuduplz.com ("would you please") allows parents to text message requests to their children from the computer. Although parents can type in their own messages, there are also stock messages that parents can select and schedule to send at a certain time.

Most of those stock messages are housework related. For example, parents can send messages that say "wuduplz wash the dishes" or "wuduplz clean your room."

For Mother's Day, kids can register their mom and offer a free "no whining" click on each chore message. There is no charge to use the Web site.

Oldies but goodies
Breakfast in bed always does the trick. Here's a recipe for a special twist on french toast.

Strawberry French Toast
4 (11/2-inch) thick slices of bread. The recipe suggests King's Hawaiian Bread.

2 cups sliced strawberries

4 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar, optional

1 tablespoon orange zest, optional

Butter or vegetable oil for frying

Powdered sugar, for garnish

Maple syrup, for garnish

Cut each slice into approximately 3-inch wide pieces. Using serrated knife, cut a pocket in edge of each slice and fill with strawberries, or another fruit of your choice.

Combine eggs, milk, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and if desired, sugar and orange zest. Heat griddle over medium heat. Grease with butter or oil. Quickly dip (do not soak) slices in egg mixture.

Cook until golden brown on both sides. Keep egg mixture well blended.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and top with additional strawberry slices. Serve immediately with warm syrup. Makes 4 servings.

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