Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Show her you care both for her and the environment by skipping mass-produced gifts. Try one - or more - of these:

Jute Tote Bag jute bag.jpg

This bag is great for a quick trip to the shops without loading up on plastic. Jute is a natural vegetable fibre which is cheap to produce and, better still, 100% biodegradable. The bag pictured on the right is from Ten Thousand Villages, a not-for-profit fair trade organization which works in partnership with artisans in low-income countries. The organization works to promote fair trade and is part of the International Fair Trade Association.

Indoor Organic Gardening Kit

Does Mom have a green thumb but is too busy to spend hours outside in the garden? Present her with an indoor organic gardening kit so she can grow her own herbs and veggies without worrying about pests or difficult weather. Many garden centres carry a wide variety of kits with soil and seeds included. They are designed to be grown right in the box or bag they come in, and some, like this one from Olive Barn, come in biodegradable pots. All Mom needs to grow her own organic garden is water and a window!

Charitable Donation

Donate in Mom's name to an eco-charity you'll both like. Whether it's planting a tree, conserving wetland, funding environmental research or something else altogether, there are many organizations that need your help. Work with Mom on this one - picking a charity together is not only fun, but it will ensure your donation gift will be perfect for her.

The Old Standard - Now Organic

If you have your heart set on sending Mom flowers this year, look for organic alternatives. Order flowers from places like Organic Bouquet and Eco Flora, or check out your local farmer's market. There are many fair-trade or organic florists out there who work for sustainable growing practices and your purchase can benefit these initiatives. Look for organic chocolate, coffee and tea as well.

Don't Buy Anything

Sometimes a gift doesn't have to be purchased at all. Hearken back to your elementary school Mother's Day crafts and make her something using reused or recycled materials. Cook her an organic meal. Take her on a picnic and admire the natural world around you. There are many ways you can have an eco-friendly Mother's Day she'll love, for little to no money at all.

Sources:
Ten Thousand Villages
Wikipedia

Image:
Ten Thousand Villages

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Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

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