Greener Mother’s Day Gifts

Mother’s Day has become yet another commercial holiday were you are encouraged to buy people “stuff” they don’t need. Of course I am not going to to complain about ANY day where moms get some extra props and receive gifts from a loved one. I just think we need to think a little about the woman on the other end of the gift a bit more. A green mom especially might be more sensitive to all the unnecessary waste associated with these holidays. Flowers won’t last and they may have been doused in chemicals. Fancy lotions might have a bad rating on the Skin Deep Cosmetics database. But if you take into consideration what a green mom values, and what type of gifts they would actually use… then you can come up with a few sure fire ideas.

Mother’s Day is About Love Not Gifts – You may find that no gift is required at all. Time and love can be gift enough. This can be accomplished with homemade cards, a nice breakfast cooked by someone else than mom, maybe a movie, a bike ride, a walk in the park, etc. It might also be a good day to break out those season passes to the zoo or a local museum. The gift of time is low impact and very meaningful. Mom’s day doesn’t have to be about elaborate gifts.

The Gift of Service – I know this mom would really appreciate gifts of service rather than physical gifts and yes, I have read The 5 Love Languages. For moms like me a great way to say I love you would be to give me a break from my duties by cleaning the house, cooking meals, and letting me have a day off. A gift can still be worked in there with a certificate for cleaning or childcare services. Some moms might also like a gift certificate for day spas and massage parlors. Services are more eco friendly usually, than accumulating stuff.

Previously Loved Gifts – Green moms usually don’t mind used items. Most times you will find we LOVE thrifted and second hand finds. Perhaps Mother’s Day might be the perfect time to shop that antique mall that she loves to visit and buy her some antique table or bed linens, a Jadeite mug like those she collects, or some other vintage treasure she is sure to love.

Something To Make Mom’s Job Easier – I know that some moms bristle at the idea of getting a vacuum or some other cooking or cleaning gadget for Mother’s Day but green moms usually are not among them. This is closely related to gifts of service… if it makes our lives easier it is a good gift, period. The idea of an iPad or a smart phone is lost on me but a Vita-Mix, a Kitchenaid Mixer with a dough hook, or glass refrigerator dishes… those will make my daily life easier and they make good sense.

What do you think? What gifts will be the biggest hit with green moms?