E., you are really sweet and I'm sure your mom loves you for what you are, not for what you are giving to her in material form. You don't have to buy her expensive stuff, this is not how you show love. Just go there early, make her a breakfast or take her out for breakfast, plan a little trip for you both, or just something she loves and you can do together, tell her how much you love her! If you think that she will like a painted pot, why don't you go and paint this pot together? Just think of something she likes to do and do it together - walk, park, zoo, go and see together a land mark in your area. You don't need to spend money, spend time together, because I'm sure she missed you. Do something like in the "old times". For a present look for some of those happy moments in the pass, pull out the pictures, cut them, scrap them, glue them and put them in a frame. She will appreciate the time you've spend doing it for her. Clean her house as a nice surprise, clean her garden, plant few new flowers there or a bush to remind her of your love every time they blossom. The love is not money, it is appreciation and showing it with your acts. Good luck!