This Mothers Day, consider some of these eco-friendly gift ideas. They range from the practical and inexpensive, to the unique and luxurious. No matter what style, green Mothers Day gifts are much more than a thoughtful present. They are an opportunity to share the benefits of sustainable living with the dearest person on earth.
Green Gifts for Mom to Accent the Eco Home
Green Mothers Day gifts should be environmentally-friendly, but also enjoyable. Many mothers love something to enhance the home environment, things which can elevate the atmosphere on a daily basis. A wonderful gift idea for the home-loving mom is a house plant. House plants are natural air purifiers. They clean the air of everyday toxins, while adding natural beauty to the indoor environment. Philodendrons work well, as well as the peace lily, English ivy, and the Boston fern.
Other green home-accenting gift ideas include soy candles and organic cotton towels. Soy candles do not give off toxins like paraffin candles, making them much healthier for the people breathing in their non-toxic scents. They are also better for the environment during manufacturing, and in the waste stream, being biodegradable soy, rather than a petroleum by-product. Eco-friendly companies like Paddywax offer candles made with natural fragrances, and packaged with biodegradable materials.
Organic cotton towels are a great addition to an eco home. The development and production of conventional cotton products is detrimental to the earth. Cotton is a crop which requires absorbent amounts of water, and the use of heavy pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic cotton is made with sustainable, eco-friendly practices. It is also better for the indoor environment, as no toxic residues will be introduced. Show mom how great organic cotton is with a lovely, inexpensive hand towel set.
Eco-Friendly Luxury — Legna Blankets
Who says green living cannot be luxurious? The Italian makers of legna fiber have created the perfect eco-friendly Mothers Day gift. Legna blankets are incredibly soft and smooth, very similar to silk. They are also easy to take care of — legna linens can be thrown in the washer and dryer like regular cotton. This natural fiber is made from wood pulp from sustainable forests. It is completely non-toxic and biodegradable.
Indulge in Fair Trade Chocolate and Coffee Beans for Mothers Day
One of the most traditional gifts for mom is chocolate. For a gift of socially-conscious indulgence, try Fair Trade chocolate or coffee beans. If there are no local shops selling eco-friendly cocoa, there are many companies which sell organic, Fair Trade coffee and chocolate online, such as Cocoavino, Equal Exchange, and Cloudforest Initiatives. Global Exchange is a great resource to find Fair Trade products, which are made with the well-being of the earth and its inhabitants in mind.
The Best Mothers Day Gifts Can Be Used for Everything
Some mothers find joy in the practical and efficient. For them, the best green Mothers Day gift is castile soap. Castile soap can be used for just about everything — bubble baths, washing clothes, cleaning floors. It is a 100% natural product, derived from plant oils. It dissolves dirt, and leaves a pure, fresh clean on whatever it is used for. One gallon of liquid soap can last for months, providing the necessary, eco-friendly means to clean the entire home.
Dr. Bronner's Magic All-One soaps are one of the most popular brands on the green market. They are reasonably priced, all natural, and Fair Trade certified. They also come in lovely natural fragrances, from lavender to almond. Castile soap is a unique gift for the practical eco mom.
Giving Eco-Friendly Gifts for Mom
Giving green is a great way to make thoughtful purchases beneficial for the receiver, and the earth. They do not have to be expensive, typical, or useless, on the contrary, they can be the original and magnificent. Eco-friendly gifts for mom can be anything that will make her life and little greener.
Sources:
Loux, Renee. "Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Home." (Rodale Books, 2008).
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