Mother's Day gift ideas: a mini guide to ethical buys
While many of us make an effort to show and tell our mums how much we love them all year round, when it comes to Mother's Day, choosing a gift which really encompasses her personality can be tricky. Searching for something more original and sustainable than the standard bunch of flowers and box of chocolates? Why not pick a present that symbolises not only your love for her but her love for others this time around? We've pulled together a list of some of the most ethical options that will help you do just that.
1. Oxfam Unwrapped Food For A Family
Your mum is the first person to feed you and you're probably not the only one who's tummy she's made sure isn't empty. If she's often found in the kitchen cooking up a storm, why not buy an Oxfam Unwrapped gift of food for a family on her behalf? It provides the recipient with money or vouchers to purchase produce locally so they can support their family and the economy where they live at the same time. Plus, it's one way to guarantee that your mum won't do the washing up!
If the term queen bee accurately describes your mum, then this gift is the perfect way to pay homage to that side of her personality, while also helping out the real queen bees of the natural world. Seed Bombs "transform that barren patch of earth into a beautiful blooming paradise" and the aptly titled "bees feast" is great for welcoming the busy insects into your garden. What's more, if you're mum isn't the green-fingered type, no problem. All you have to do with these is throw and watch them grow.
3. The Mother Shop Strong Oversized Tee
Strong is a word that many of us will use to describe our mothers but one that they might not necessarily attribute to themselves. Let her know what you think of her with this slogan t shirt from The Mother Shop. It also comes in a sweatshirt design. All profits go to YAZDA, a charity which supports Yazidi women and girls who have escaped ISIS, and petitions the government to remember the thousands of people held captive by the terrorist group. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, all Mother Shop tees and sweathshirts are made in a factory vetted for good working conditions and wages.
4. CAFOD Healthy Mum and Baby World Gift
Care and nutrition in our early years are vital in helping us flourish as adults. Our mums are the ones who, for the most part, see to it that we have a healthy start to life. Help your mother equip other mums with the necessary tools to do the same by purchasing a Healthy Mum and Baby World Gift from CAFOD for her. It can help pay for post-natal care, vaccinations and food for babies at risk of becoming malnourished, getting both new mum and newborn off to a great start.
This sweet little wind chime will add something special to any garden or even room. The chimes are actually made of recycled glass and it is handmade in a workshop in Dumasi-Krobo, Ghana. The chime is sold via Ten Thousand Villages which aims to use market-based solutions to eradicate poverty.
These beautiful organic cotton kimono robes come in a variety of colours to suit mum's taste and are not only stylish, but help you to do your bit for humanity and planet Earth. They are made by Under the Canopy, which uses eco-friendly low impact dyes and incorporates fair labour principles into the manufacturing process.
These stylish loafers have a cow leather upper, goat lining and natural rubber sole. They are made by Oliberté, a sustainable fair trade brand based in Ethiopia that supports workers' rights.
