I also don't like to spend $$$$ on a meal I can cook myself for much less - and can control the amount of salt, or the ratio of meat vs vegies.
DH is recuperating from a serious surgery, and today is chilly and rainy, and he thought homemade chicken noodle soup would be good. So that was my Mother's Day meal.
We like to smoke a turkey for big family gatherings. I usually make cheesy hash browns to go with it, and a strawberry jello salad that all the grands like. These can be make ahead, so I'm not tied to the kitchen while everyone else is visiting. Add a few vegies, and maybe rolls, and I have a meal.