Nine tips for a green Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a great time to show our love and appreciation for mums everywhere, but like many other celebrations, Mother’s Day has become a bit over-commercialised, creating a lot of waste and increased carbon emissions.

Next Mother’s Day, try showing your love for Mother Earth as well as your mum, by making your celebrations environmentally conscious. With a bit of creativity your mum will appreciate that little bit of extra thought that goes into making her big day as sustainable as possible, while helping the planet at the same time.

1. Buy potted plants, not flowers

A living, potted plant will last longer than a bunch of cut flowers, and a plant continues to look great and clean the air for months. A miniature herb garden for the kitchen is another option. They aren’t just practical; they look and smell fantastic too.

2. Give mum natural beauty products

Organic bars of soap and plastic-free skincare products are more planet-friendly than commercially produced products filled with chemicals. If you fancy making your own gift, a bar of all-natural handmade soap, or a homemade candle made from soy or beeswax, shows that you’ve put time and effort into your present.

3. Oxfam is your friend

Upcycled or vintage jewellery or a piece of art are thoughtful, waste-free gifts. You’d be surprised at the range and quality of jewellery and art you can find in high street charity shops like Oxfam.

4. Make a scrapbook

A handmade scrapbook of memories you’ve shared with your mum is a personal gift she’ll love to keep. If you have kids, get them involved in putting the scrapbook together by contributing their own memories of Grandma.

5. Experiences as gifts

Instead of buying material gifts, try giving your mum the gift of an experience instead. A relaxing spa day, a cooking class, or a membership to a garden or National Trust are ways to create memories without waste. Subscriptions for digital book apps, meditation apps, or healthy meal kits are other great alternatives.

6. Buy ethically made chocolate

If you’re buying chocolates for your mum, support brands that prioritise ethical sourcing, fair wages, and sustainable practices. Look for certifications like Fairtrade, organic or B Corp to ensure your chocolate is eco-friendly. If you’re not sure which chocolate to buy, we have some great tips for buying chocolate responsibly.

7. Give digital greetings cards

Instead of traditional greeting cards, save on paper waste and send an e-card or video message instead. Get the whole family involved to make it a memorable clip mum will want to keep forever.

8. Ditch the wrapping paper

Traditional gift wrap often ends up in landfills. Instead, wrap your mum’s presents in reusable fabric, a scarf she can wear later, or even a newspaper with an interesting print. If you must use wrapping paper, avoid rolls with foil decorations as they are unrecyclable.

9. Plan a veggie lunch

When it comes to your celebration lunch, brunch or dinner, consider a homemade meal with local or organic ingredients. If you’d rather take mum out, try going vegetarian or vegan, or choose a farm-to-table restaurant with a sustainably sourced, local menu. If the weather’s good, you could also plan an outdoor picnic in a beautiful location. Combine it with a hike or a gentle bike ride.

Disclaimer

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