What to Get A Green Mom for Mothers Day (Or Any Other Time!): Top 10 Gifts for Green Moms

May 9th, 2009

Some may think posting about Mother’s Day gifts on Saturday morning is kind of late. But let’s face it – most guys put gifts off to the last minute, don’t they? So here it is – this Green Mom’s Top 10 Wish List.

In past years, I’ve taken a real minimalist view – all this Green Mom wanted was a clean car. That may still be a need, but with so many of us putting off desires this year due to the economy, I have a hunch that many of us secretly yearn to be a bit more spoiled this Mother’s Day.

1. The Gift of Time
Many Moms feel “guilty” about this. It’s Mother’s Day and (horrors!) they don’t want to spend the whole day with their kids? You mean, like they do every other day of the year? Give her some time off. Tell her to take the afternoon off. Go for a walk. See a movie. Lie in bed. Whatever. She can pretend there are no responsibilities on her plate, no to-do lists.

2. Crossing Something off Her List
For some, washing the car, running an errand, or crossing something else off her list is still a great gift. This year I’ve made peace with the messy car (and it’s not quite so bad this year!) But if I came home and found my containers brimming with plants, and my front garden weeded…wow! Would that ever make my Mother’s Day!

3. Eco-Chic
We may be green on the inside, but it’s nice to look green on the outside too! There are so many cool eco-accessories now. You can find purses and jewelry made of recycled materials, clothing from bamboo or organic cotton, shoes made of bamboo, and more… One of my favorite online sources is Eco-Artware.com (who also happens to be a client of mine). If you’re in my neck of the woods and want to buy at a store, check out the gift shop at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. I was there yesterday and saw a wonderful assortment of eco-chic bracelets and earrings made of old magazines. Prices were between $15 and $30.

4. Eco-Helpers
Going green requires preparation, especially when you are on the go. How about some useful green chic gifts such as To-Go Ware(R), which is reusable cutlery packaged in cute little bamboo bags. You can stash it in a reusable bag and reduce some of that green guilt when you find yourself at a roadside restaurant or to-go place that only stocks plastic utensils. Other great options include chic reusable bags like those sold by the Chico Bag Company. In my neck of the woods? Stop by Creative Parties in Bethesda and check out their selection of reusable bags. (And while you’re there, look across the street and see the new headquarters of our local sustainability initiative, Bethesda Green, located on the second floor of the Chevy Chase bank building).

5. Donations to a Favorite Green Cause
How about a gift in her honor? Try these fave green causes: Environmental Working Group, The Nature Conservancy, or The World Wildlife Federation.

6. Eco-Dining or Fine Dining

There are organic restaurants and restaurants specializing in local foods springing up all over the place. What better day to check one out than Mother’s Day? So many parents avoid dining at nice restaurants with kids in tow. One of the great things about Mother’s Day is that the fancy-pants places that don’t typically cater to children will grudgingly do so on Mother’s Day. That’s what we’re doing on Mother’s Day! At least I know that The Blue Moon will put up with my kids on Sunday!

7. Flowers – Make them Organic!

How about a twist on the time honored tradition of a beautiful bouquet of flowers? This time, make them organic! This Mother’s Day, Organic Bouquet is running a promo with The Nature Conservancy – you save 10% and it’s donated to The Nature Conservancy!

8. Great Green Books
There are so many inspiring books available about going green. One of my faves – a real resource – is fellow Green Moms Carnival member Diane MacEachern’s The Big Green Purse. You can order it here on Amazon, or check out your local bookstore or even Whole Foods for a great selection of books about going green.

9. Yummy Greens
What better excuse than to try some organic and fair trade chocolate? And what woman doesn’t love chocolate? Some of my faves: Divine Chocolate and Green & Black’s.

10. Green Entertaining
Having friends over, or just relaxing? Get her some wonderful sustainable, organic or biodynamic wine and cheese from your local natural market.

Happy Mother’s Day! Did you find these tips helpful? Leave a comment and share!

— Lynn


8 Responses to “What to Get A Green Mom for Mothers Day (Or Any Other Time!): Top 10 Gifts for Green Moms”

  1. Andy Greene on May 9, 2009 2:04 pm

    I really like the first two on this list. We think in material terms so often – and these are things we really can give that mean even more.

    Andy Greene
    Green Living Tips for Rednecks

  2. JessTrev on May 9, 2009 7:25 pm

    Something for everyone – perfectly done! Hope you get whatever floats your boat tomorrow. You’re a great mom.

  3. Lynn on May 10, 2009 4:24 am

    Hi Andy and Jess,

    Thanks for your comments! Andy, yes, #1 and #2 do mean so much and I generally go this way, but this year, for some reason (the economy? self-deprivation?) I really yearned for something more…The trick is knowing the woman and her desires…

    Jess, thanks so much…you are so sweet, and a great Mom too, of course! :) Enjoy the day!

    Lynn

  4. Diane MacEachern on May 10, 2009 8:04 pm

    My favorite on this list is the gift of time…I always want more! Thanks for such thoughtful suggestions (and I appreciate the shout out for my book!). Hope you had a great Mother’s Day.

  5. Anita Kaiser on May 11, 2009 2:26 pm

    I got an awesome mother’s day gift. Although it is a thing and we had to spend money on it – I’ve been wanting one for so long – finally we have a rain barrel. Now if only I can get the hubby to complete the next step of installing the darn thing. Hope you had a fabulous day and thanks for a great list!

  6. mother earth aka karen hanrahan on May 12, 2009 1:48 pm

    my daughter for mother’s day cleaned out HER car – and I couldn’t be happier!! She made a brunch too, complete with lilacs snippped from the neighbors yard ~

  7. Stephanie Griffith on May 21, 2009 9:10 am

    DH (the kids are still quite little) is the best at getting me eco-friendly gifts. Stuff like a vintage Schwinn cruiser bike he found at a thrift store, a bike basket to go with it, a fig tree and a creative writing workshop.

    Stephanie Griffith’s last blog post..Flower Pressing

  8. Suzanne on June 15, 2010 9:23 pm

    I LOVE these ideas…especially #2 and #4. I would love some extra help, and it would definitely be much more eco-friendly than the majority of gifts I receive!

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