Taking mom out to dinner is a pretty traditional part of Mother’s Day. But restaurant outings aren’t always the best idea. They can be expensive and crowded. They may also be loud, and chances are you will be rushed through your meal as they try to turnover the table to the next reservation.

A great alternative is to have a special dinner right at home. And with mail-order dinner ideas, you can have everything from gumbo flown in from your favorite spot in NOLA to an Aussie feast of gourmet steaks. Whether she loves seafood or steak, BBQ or Mexican, there’s a great meal idea for Mother’s Day — no reservations required.

Ipsa Provisions Frozen Meals

These meals are a genius idea because they are as simple as those old-school frozen dinners but elevated to a level so much higher, they shouldn’t even be discussed in the same sentence (sorry about that). This upscale (but very affordable) frozen food company sends delicious chef created meals, from vegetarian coconut curry to Moroccan braised chicken (most entrees are around $25, but prices vary per meal) and so much more, with simple reheating and plating instructions. Choose mom’s favorite dishes and plan a meal just like a night out — but no shoes required.

- Aly Walansky