With May 12th around the corner, you’re probably looking for some unique gift ideas for your Mom. Just seeing a delighted smile on her face will make all the effort so worthwhile. But, even as you plan a special something for Mom, this year, think about how you can do your bit for Mother Earth too. When choosing Mother’s Day gifts, you could also make a lifetime commitment to protecting the planet. Here are a few great ideas to adopt even as you start scouring online and physical stores for the best token of your affection ever.
1. Choose More Permanent Alternatives to Flowers
Flowers are always the first go-to idea for Mother’s Day presents. Presenting or delivering a gorgeous bouquet of blooms is possibly one of the best ways to say, “You mean the world to me!” But, in case you didn’t know, fresh flowers are sourced from countries in South America and flown into the U.S so they remain in perfect condition by the time they reach their recipients. The transit costs the planet serious damage from emissions from tons of burnt fossil fuels. Further, flower gardens are protected from parasites and fungi by spraying them with insecticides and fungicides along with other chemicals to maintain their beauty. Not only are these toxins banned in America but they seem like a heavy price to pay for a gift that lasts only for a short time. For more information about the environmental impact of flowers, check out this article on The Guardian.
This Mother’s Day, work out greener and long-lasting
alternatives. Choose mason jars and fill them with a little earth. Plant herbs
and small plants in the jars and bring them to your Mom. Such plants add cheer
and warmth to the house and also help purify the air. Further, your Mom can
harvest the herbs and use them to garnish the delicious meals you spent your
childhood eating.
2. Replace Plastic Ware with Eco-Friendly Glass
Containers
This Mother’s Day, begin the process of phasing out plastics from your and your parent’s home by bringing Mom a set of reusable glass jars for food storage. You could also buy her a lovely collection of glass bottles to hold beverages along with other drinkware to replace the utensils that are long outdated. You’ll bring Mom good health by helping her switch from plastics that leech toxic chemicals into the food they contain. Even as you help your parents transition to safer containers, you may want to educate them on how to dispose of the plastics in their home. Try this feature on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a good starting point.
3. Bring Your Mom Home-Cooked Meals
If your Mom hasn’t been able to cook very often, this Mother’s
Day, how about you cook her a lovely meal in appreciation for all the food she
prepared for you while you were growing up. Bring over a delicious meal that
you can share with the whole family. Also, consider cooking extra portions that
your parents can freeze and reuse later.
Looking for ideas that will help your Mom save on cooking time?
Here are a couple you’ll find on SweetPeasandSaffron.com. Fill mason jars with
sauces for pasta, layer cut vegetables for salads that only need to be topped
with dressing, or pack soup that can be reheated and eaten. An added positive?
Your Mom can dine on meals that are free of preservatives and loaded with
nutrition. Besides, you can’t even start to imagine the joy you’ll bring her
when she thinks back to all the time she spent slaving on your favorite dishes.
4. Pick Out Pretty Totes and Shopping Bags –
And, Get them Personalized
Possibly the handiest things to have around the house are tote bags and shopping bags. Celebrate a green Mother’s Day by picking out pretty shopping bags that your Mom can use. Materials like cotton, burlap, and denim are made with natural, eco-friendly fabrics. An added positive is that by buying green items you’ll support businesses that make them just as this article on the CNBC explains. The bags and totes will not only last long but they’re easy to maintain. Toss them in the washer and have them looking just as new. To add a touch of warmth and show Mom that you’re thinking of her, have her name inscribed with stylish calligraphy and perhaps, a heartfelt message. Do you and your Mom have a thing? Like, say, a poem you both enjoyed or a song you used to sing together when you were a child. Add a couple of lines or a verse to show Mom that she means the world to you.
5. Spend Quality Time with Her
The best gift that you can give your Mom this Mother’s Day is
your time and undivided attention. Spend an entire day with her doing things
that she loves, go for lunch or a movie. Or, just talk! Give her updates on how
the family is doing, bring pictures of grandkids if they cannot accompany you
and organize video calls where everyone wishes her. Weather permitting; you can
also plan a picnic to a location where she took you as a child so you can bask
in the warm sunshine and memories of the joyful days of the past.
Mother’s Day is an old tradition created to honor the women who
brought us into this world and helped shape our lives. Even as you acknowledge
the time, love, and devotion that went into making you who you are today, spare
some time to care for the planet where you live. Make a small donation to a
cause dedicated to the environment or make some green changes in your home. The
simplest gift of all? Plan a tree-planting day with your Mom as a reminder of
the memorable time you spent with her. Love your Mom and love the planet. It’s
what responsible people do!
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