April 25th, 2008

Make This One Earth Mother’s Day

Posted by Monica Schenk

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Women are believed by some to be closely linked to nature as mothers, nurturers and food producers. We’ve certainly seen several mothers become noted environmentalists from Frances Moore Lappe to Wangari Matthai and Laurie David – even Erin Brockovich. Whether your mother is an active environmentalist or just a well deserving mom, we have several great ways for you to honor her this coming Mother’s Day.

Tired of the same old stuffy brunch? Plan a hike or nature walk. I took three generations of women in my family up Mt. Tamalpais a few years ago and we all agreed that it was one of our best Mother’s Day celebrations. If you had quality time in mind, but were looking for something that requires a little less physical fitness, Spa Index offers a list of eco-friendly and socially responsible spas. Many offer overnight accommodations or you can enjoy a simple afternoon of pampering.

This year, there is no need to show-up on Mother’s Day empty handed, with so many great green gifts to choose from. Here is a small selection from Low Impact Living.

Give your mom a gift from Nomine Candles’ Botanical Jar Collection. Each hand poured candle is infused with a heavenly blend of only the purest essential oils (no synthetic fragrances are used). Natural soybean wax and lead-free cotton wicks ensure a cleaner burn, while luxurious packaging (including a handy matchbook) offers the ultimate eco-friendly gift.

You can also pair votive candles with the Recycled Votive Centerpiece by OneEighty Design. The source of the glass votive holders is actually the bottom of a wine bottle. They have teamed up with the brilliant folks at Green Glass to incorporate their recycled glassware, which is derived from discarded wine bottles. The willow green glass makes a striking statement against the raw metal washers.

If you had something more practical in mind, a set of our favorite reusable shopping bags from Olive Smart, may be just the thing for your green mom. Everyone needs more than one reusable bag when they go to the store, but who wants to carry six bulky totes? The Olive Smart Sack is small enough to fit in the cup holder of your car - never to be forgotten. In the Sack, are 6 colorful reusable bags each holding 20% more than a plastic bag.

A longtime Low Impact Living favorite, Eco-Me makes a fun body kit with everything Mom needs to start her own natural apothecary at home. Their 100% natural Eco-Me Body Kit contains supplies to make chemical free body scrub, body oil, body tonic and body powder (below right). She will love the sweet fragrance Eco-Me Body Blend, 100% natural essential oil with bergamont, lavender and lime.

Another wonderful way to spoil your mom is with a Miessence Mother’s Day Gift Pack.  All Miessence products are made with natural, non-toxic ingredients. Your mom will love the Rose Monsoon hydrating mist, the nourishing hand cream, and the Jaffa Lip Balm made with cocoa butter, safflower and avocado oils. And it all comes in a pretty organza reusable gift sack!

Monogrammed stationery is one gift that will not go to waste. Cast Paper Art makes customized note cards on 100% recycled cotton fiber using a centuries-old technique. Each card contains a blank writing insert and a matching envelope (pictured below). Select your mom’s favorite color and she will not forget to thank you this Mother’s Day.

A handwoven bamboo scarf makes a classic Mother’s Day gift sustainbale. Kristin Kelly’s Etsy Shop has a small selection of beautifully textured, handmade bamboo scarves that are soft to the touch and drape beautifully (below). Bamboo is a rapidly renewable, biodegradable, pesticide-free material that is naturally antibacterial, so garments stay odor free for longer. Your mom will enjoy trying-out the great new green material.

If you have a long distance mom, we suggest a box of seasonal organic fruit from Mode Organic. You can send a one-time selection of top-quality organic fruits, vegetables or cheese or give 3 to 12 months of seasonal bounty. We love Mode Organics commitment to sourcing sustainable, artisan produce and their stylish recycled packaging.

Of course, small things are always easy to send. You can find great green jewelry makers here or just send an eco-friendly greeting card from SendGreenCards.com. All their cards are made with elephant dung paper that helps reduce pollution, save trees and prevent animal abuse. Their beautiful Classic by Design card can be custom worded, just for your mom.

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