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 Spring is here and that means Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Rather than hurriedly buying a bouquet of flowers the morning of, take a look at a few of our green gift ideas. Gift giving is a way to thank your mom for all she’s done for you. At the same time, you can thank Mother Nature by purchasing gifts that are sustainable, local or organic. Below we've put together a list of some of this year's most popular green Mother’s Day gifts.
- Priti Nail Polish and Remover is a line of completely nontoxic nail polish and remover, developed by Kim D’Amato in 2005. Since toxic chemicals can enter our bodies through the skin and a mother’s chemical exposure can affect her unborn baby, D’Amato wanted to remove all toxic products from her life during the pregnancy. This led to the creation of Priti nail polish. Every polish is formaldehyde-, DBP- and toluene-free. The remover is soy and corn based, with no acetone. Additionally, all the bottles, caps and brushes are completely recyclable. See Priti’s website for more about their recycling program.
- Elephant Poo Paper Roses are just what the name implies. The paper used to construct these delicate roses comes from elephant dung. Fortunately, there is lots of fibrous material in elephant poo and fibers are what make strong paper. Don’t worry, the fibers have been washed and boiled so the paper is completely odorless and germ-free. These roses are beautiful, handmade and sustainable. They will also continue to brighten your mother’s day long after fresh flowers have wilted.
- Tom’s Shoes combine both fashion and social responsibility in each pair of comfortable shoes. Not only are there attractive vegan shoes in Tom’s line, but for every pair you purchase, Tom’s donates a pair to a child in need. Their One for One campaign has given away more than one million pairs of shoes. While the bulk of the line is boaters and flats, there are now also wrap boots and wedges available.
- Figs and Ginger Jewelry uses only recycled or reclaimed silver. Their gold is at least 50% recycled or reclaimed as well. This means that purchasing jewelry through Figs and Gingers does not contribute to destructive mining practices. Additionally, their workers use biodegradable chemicals, such as citric acid, when working with their jewelry. They have developed a special line of mother-and-child necklaces for which you can custom order the number of children to be included.
- Green Chocolate is the perfect way to treat your mom’s taste buds. “Green” chocolate isn’t actually green; it refers to chocolate that is organic, fair trade or Rainforest Alliance certified. This chocolate not only tastes better, but is raised without chemicals and sustainably farmed. It also guarantees that cocoa growers receive a fair price for their product.
- Fair Trade is a key international protective organization for farmers and workers. To take just one example, Fair Trade handbags are a great way to treat your mom while still helping the planet. Companies such as Trade as One and Ten Thousand Villages ensure that the products they buy treat both workers and the environment fairly. While Fair Trade purses have a reputation for being made of hemp or batik prints, there are many more sophisticated varieties being made today. Whether your mom needs a beach bag or a clutch for a night on the town, you will be able to find something covered by Fair Trade.
- Egg Plant is an unglazed ceramic planter that will brighten your mother’s day year round. Made of low-fire ceramic and terra cotta, the environmental impact of this planter is minimal. Additionally, the basil, mint, strawberry, red pepper or lavender plants that can be grown in it will add some local herbs to your mother’s life. In fact, any kind of herb or vegetable planter makes a wonderful gift. We recommend this one not only because of the unique design but also because no green thumb is required. The only thing your mom has to do is to water the plants and enjoy her gift.
- Bamboo Kitchenware is both sustainable and practical. Bamboo is the fastest-growing tree and therefore one of the most renewable resources on the planet. It can be fashioned into practical kitchen utensils like stirring spoons and cutting boards. The grain and flexibility of the wood also allow it to be crafted into beautiful serving bowls and placemats.
Stay tuned. Our second Mother’s Day installment will give you homemade gift ideas for mom that can be crafted by kids of all ages. Homemade means an even smaller carbon footprint and an even more personal gift. What could be better than that?
Additional resources:
How About A Homemade Gift for Mom This Mother’s Day?
Eco Mother’s Day Gifts: Showing Love for Your Mother—and Mother Earth
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