Five Great Mother's Day Gifts

This means: no knick-knacks, no “I-know-she’ll-like-this-gift-because-she-already-has-it-in-red,” and no gifts that appear to have had very little thought or care go into thinking them up (this generally includes: bodywash and lotion from well-known stores, candles, a journal and/or notecards).

I want the gift to be useful and add some sort of value to the giftee’s life. I try only to give presents that my loved ones need or that I think they will genuinely get good use of.

These are some of my favorite gift ideas for Mother's Day – and they’re green to boot.

1) CSA Subscription. CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture.” These are small farms all across the country that deliver weekly boxes of locally-grown, seasonal, organic produce to your doorstep or to a drop-off location nearby. This is a great gift if your mom likes to cook or if she’s married to someone who does. Find a CSA here.

*If your mom needs a new cooking vessel – or if you’ve noticed she’s still using toxic non-stick cookware – you might pair the CSA subscription with a stainless steel or cast iron pan; a cookbook so she knows what to do with all the delicious veggies; or eco-friendly dinner table accessories like organic placemats and cloth napkins, beeswax dinner candles, and/or organic wine.

2) Old, used books. If your mom is a book-lover, go to a used bookstore and find original and early editions of her favorite author’s books or beloved poet’s collections. If she devours biographies, buy her two or three you think she’d dig. Ditto for favorites from her childhood, Shakespeare plays, or whatever genre you know she loves. Don’t have a good used bookstore nearby or can’t find what you’re looking for? Try Better World Books’ large selection. All purchases support literacy programs world-wide and are sent via carbon-neutral shipping.

3) Windowsill herb garden. Your mom can grow herbs year-round right on her windowsill, kitchen table, or other sunny spot in the home. Basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary and sage are some of the best herbs for indoor growing. Put together a kit if you live nearby and can take it to her directly, or send one ready-made. The Tasteful Garden has beautiful indoor herb garden kits and lets you choose from a variety of herbs. Next year, send her seeds to start the garden again.

4) Recycled and locally-crafted jewelry. If you go the jewelry route, check out Smart Glass Jewelry’s recycled glass line. You can hunt for local baubles on Etsy, the online site for all things handmade (click on “shop local”). If you prefer to see what you’re buying in person, avoid big box department stores; support your local economy by seeking out smaller businesses that showcase local artists’ work. Ask questions about the jewelry and about the artists, and remember the stories behind them to re-tell to your mom! Go any of these routes, and your mom will have a unique piece of jewelry, whose purchase supported a local artist and/or small business.

5) Massage or green spa gift certificate. I like the idea of gifting a massage because it is a zero-waste gift with huge returns (provided your mom likes massages). When choosing a massage therapist, check to make sure that the lotion or oil used is made with all-natural ingredients – and none of these toxic synthetic ones. You might also send Mom to a green spa for some eco-friendly pampering. Green spas use earth-friendly body products, wood products from certified well-managed forests, and plant and mineral-based cleansers. These spas are becoming more and more common, but can still take some time to find and vet. The Green Spa Network has the most comprehensive listings of green spas across the U.S.