If money is tight and you can't treat your mom to a well-deserved break at a spa, why not re-create a day at the spa: at home.

This way, you can treat your mom to a de-stressing foot massage or manicure or pedicure without the hefty price-tag.

Before you start setting up your spa, make sure you have the right atmosphere to make her truly feel pampered.

Create a relaxed ambience

Clean up and pack away any clutter in the areas you will be using (bathroom, kitchen, lounge or bedroom) so your mom won't be distracted by mess.

Set up your treatment bed and cover with a towel or two to protect any linen. Now place a snug towelling gown, pyjamas, fresh towel, bath and beauty products, scented candles and her favourite chocolate on her pillow – I use those mini nougats because they're small enough to snack on and it's my mom's favourite. Also put the kettle on for some calming herbal tea for her to sip as you massage her.

Awaken the senses

Once that's complete, dim the lights, play some gentle music in the background, light some tea-light scented candles and have some snacks for her to munch on too.

Sugar scrub

While she is unwinding, mix up some granulated brown sugar, olive oil and oats for a homemade scrub to exfoliate dead and dull skin.

After she has exfoliated whatever areas she sees fit, let it ‘set’ while you massage a deep-conditioning treatment into her hair.

Head and neck massage

Massage gently but firmly in a circular motion around her crown, temples and at the base of her neck. Place a rooibos teabag over each eye or cold cucumber slices to reduce puffiness as the treatment nourishes her hair.

There are many easy home-made hair masks and deep-conditioning treatments for all hair types that you can make – but I recommend using a store-bought treatment specific to your mom's hair type instead to save on time. Clicks stock excellent masks for around R12 a sachet for a once-off treatment.

The cherry on top

Run a bath and pour some essential oils or bubble bath and rose petals into the water and leave her to soak it all in for a while.

After she's rinsed everything off and you've blown all the candles out (safety first) let her lather herself in her favourite body lotion and get comfortable in her gown and pyjamas. Tidy up the bathroom as she does this.

Bring that herbal tea in a teapot – chamomile or lavender works best as a relaxing tonic – for her to enjoy as you prep for part two of her spa activities. If your mom isn’t a herbal tea fan, a mug of decadent hot chocolate works wonders.

Now that she is suitably settled in, lay out a towel and some baby oil or essentials oils for her foot massage. Below is a great video showing your how to give a great foot massage.

Foot massage:

If your mom is hopefully still awake at this point – my mom was out like a light and slept straight through till the next morning – then ask her which colour she would like for her perfect pedicure and use that colour on her tired tootsies.

A guide for the perfect Pedicure

If your mom is happy with you applying that same colour on her toes, just follow this step-by-step guide for salon quality nails or you can click here for a French manicure tutorial.

How to give a salon manicure:

And voila! You've treated your mom to a well-deserved spa day (or evening) without breaking the bank.