Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and children both young and old are beginning the search for the gift that tells her she is the best mom ever.

Most people do not buy technology-based gifts for their mothers. Instead, they buy more sentimental items, such as flowers or perfume. However, as technology becomes more and more prevalent in our day-to-day lives, there is room to mesh the sentimentality of the day with technology.

For those with a large budget, the iPad is a popular choice ($399). E-book readers, such as Kindles (from $79), and digital photo frames ($40 to $150) round out the upper tier of technology gifts for moms. If you choose one of these gifts, make sure to preload e-books onto the reader or photos onto the photo frame. Technology gifts may seem impersonal, and preloading an e-book your mother wants to read or scanning in old family photos for the digital photo frame will show that you put some heart into the gift.

If those options are out of your price range, consider a customizable photo skin for her iPhone or Android phone. You can upload your family photo to online companies, such as Case-Mate (http://custom.case-mate.com/), and they will turn it into a durable plastic case for her phone for about $40.

On the less expensive end of technology gadgets and gizmos, consider photo mouse pads ($10) or photo calendars ($25). Other options include gift cards to the iTunes store or simply taking the time to download your mother’s favorite music or books to an MP3 player, such as an iPod nano ($46). If you are creative, consider printing some of your mom’s favorite photos onto T-shirt inkjet transfer paper, found with the labels at most big box stores (around $12). Iron the photos onto a reusable shopping bag or an apron.

Now for my smallest readers, who are frantically emptying piggy banks, digging under couch cushions and borrowing money from dad, I have a little secret for you. More than any tech gadget, your mom will love a homemade gift from you.

Ask your dad if you can get on the Internet and visit http://funhandprintart.blogspot.com/. All you need is some paper and paint to make a masterpiece for the ages. If gluing and crafting is more your style, consider these ideas from http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/mothers-day-crafts/.

This Mother’s Day, remember to put a little love in your gift, even if it is a tech gizmo. As long as it’s from you, she’ll love it. Mothers are like that.