What should I get my mom for her 50th, birthday?

You need to give us more information on your Mom.
What are her hobbies? What does she do to relax?

What about a framed picture of your family all together?

Some things that are meaningful, but don’t cost much:
A “memory book”. This can include pictures, letters, notes and can be all about her, all about the two of you, or all about your whole family.
A letter. Handwritten, telling her all the reasons you love her/she’s a great mom.
A service, provided by you. Clean the house top to bottom, organize the garage/attic, paint the walls.
Art, made by you. Do you paint, write, draw, make music?

You could make her a CD of the top 10 or 20 songs that were on the charts the week she was born.

When my dad turned 50 we gave him stuff that was cut in half, since he’s been alive “half a century”. It was really funny and he enjoyed it.

A CD “mix-tape” as @aprilsimnel suggests, but of some of her favorite music?

If she’s the primary cook, how about offering to make supper on a couple of nights of her choosing?

@J0E . . . your mom really enjoyed it too.

when I was a kid, like you, I wrote my mum a long letter telling just what I loved about her, and why. 30 years later, when she died, I found that letter in her things that she kept near.

If you think this is a problem, try buying a gift for your mother, when she turns 92. its hard to buy a gift for a person thats 50 or 92, simply because they probably already have just about everything. i am fortunate. my mother had rather receive a nice birthday card than anything else. she has saved each card i have ever given her. i did not stop with just a card, i bought her some flannel pajamas, since she is thin and gets cold easily. it does not take much to put a smile of their face. it seems to me as my parent progresses in age, the birthday gift does not matter nearly as much as you and i just being there for them. john

You could always get her flowers. It shows that you’re thinking of her, costs less than $20, and it’s good if she doesn’t really need anything. Or you could cook her a nice dinner, I’m sure she’ll enjoy having a night off.

How about a manicure or pedicure. What women wouldn’t enjoy a little pampering. Offer to clean the house, wash the car or like many said, sit down and write her a letter telling her what she has meant to you as your mother.

Ooh my mom turned 50 when I was a teen as well, and my gift went over very well.

I went through pictures and chose some great ones of my mom over the years, especially with her kids. I made color copies and put together a book of “Why I Love my Mom.” Each picture illustrated a reason: for example, “she shares her shoes with me” was the caption for a very nice picture of my mom and I in our party shoes.

It was totally low-budget (just required a trip to the copy store) and she loved it.

My kids made me a collage of our life one birthday and I treasure it.

An all expense paid ticket to “Thunder in Down Under”

A balloon that says 50 on it.
A cake with 50 candles.
A card that says 50 on it.
A box of 50 chocolates.
A bouquet of 50 red/white roses.
A happy birthday song sang 50 times by you.

A massage.

• Photo collage w/ the reest of the family’s help help
• The newist and latest camera
• Something modern and techy, I can’t think of anything specific, but it will make her feel cool
• Gift card to restaurant, preferably fancy enough for her to get dressed up.
• spa day
• A massage. After all, who doesn’t love one?
• Breakfast in bed should go over well. She’ll love the thoughtfullness.