This Mother’s Day, show your mom how much you care for both her and the planet with an environmentally conscious gift. Whether your mom loves beautiful blooms, a day at the spa or the latest fashions, here are some sustainable ways to celebrate her this Mother’s Day.
Shop for Sustainable Blooms for Mom
Bouquets are a traditional Mother’s Day gift, but with heavy pesticide use, high water consumption and long-distance transport, cut flowers typically have a significant environmental impact. If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly option, Little Acre Flowers, a DC-based florist, offers a solution. By working with local farmers and using Earth-friendly materials, Little Acre Flowers is able to provide sustainable arrangements.
“My studio uses primarily locally grown flowers,” says Amber Flack, the owner and lead designer at Little Acre Flowers. “The closer to the source, the less distance there is to travel; that’s going to be a more sustainable option.”
Flack also encourages consumers to look at the materials florists use in their arrangements. “A lot of traditional florists use floral foam,” says Flack, “which is a shortcut, but it is wildly toxic and it’s just kind of leaking microplastics everywhere. Try to opt for a company that does not use anything like that in their designs.”
With a focus on what’s in season locally, Flack says one of Little Acre’s most popular items for Mother’s Day are peonies.
“There are certain times of year when we get these really amazing, locally grown showstopper flowers. And Mother’s Day falls right around when we are flush with a lot of local peonies. They’re huge and they smell amazing and come in all different beautiful colors.”
Flack’s biggest tip for those looking to reduce their gift-giving carbon footprint is to purchase locally.
“Shop local, shop small, support businesses in your own community and you’re going to feel good about whatever choices you make.”
Get Natural Beauty Products for Mom in the DMV
Giving mom time to relax with a spa day can be a great Mother’s Day gift. Bath, skincare or beauty products are also good options. But it can be challenging to avoid brands that rely too heavily on plastics and harmful chemicals. Take Care is a holistic shop and spa in DC that carries natural skincare, beauty and wellness brands.
Becky Waddell, Take Care’s founder, started the shop after moving to DC from Oregon. She emphasizes the importance of taking time for self-care, particularly for busy moms in the DC area.
“I felt the pace of life here was so intense that is was difficult to make mindful decisions,” Waddell said. “[Opening Take Care] was literally me trying to carve out a corner of DC that felt like it was embracing a more holistic aspect of life, a moment to find personal care in a city that’s so focused on the grind.”
Take Care sources products that are packaged in glass, rather than plastic. The shop carries brands that use whole plants and organic materials and formulate products in-house, when possible. Waddell also advises that one of the best ways to support sustainability is to reduce consumption.
“Our goal is never to just load you up with a bunch of stuff,” she says. By focusing on high-quality products that meet customers’ needs, Take Care helps reduce waste and overconsumption.
Waddell has several recommendations for Mother’s Day gifts including a bath set by Well Kept and botanical perfume by Ojai Wild.
Another “really nice treat,” Wadell says, would be a gift certificate for a facial at Take Care’s spa. “We want people to be able to come here and forget everything else that is going on. That especially goes for moms who have so much on their plate. We value being able to create space for them to nourish their skin and their minds and take time for themselves.”
Eco-Chic Style From a DC Boutique
Clothing and accessories make great gifts for stylish moms. Though the fashion industry contributes to carbon emissions and creates significant water waste, DC boutique Bitter Grace is an excellent source for sustainable brands.
According to Anne Marie Johnson, owner of Bitter Grace, sustainable fashion is about wearability and longevity. “Synthetic-free textiles and materials increase longevity and make it easier to care for the garments at home,” says Johnson. She recommends clothing made from natural fabrics including cotton, bamboo, linen, wool, cashmere and silk.
For Mother’s Day gifts, Johnson recommends Bitter Grace’s wardrobe services including personal styling, color analysis and a masterclass on style and image.
“One of our most popular services is color analysis,” says Johnson. “This is a timeless gift for moms and a great investment for moms and daughters to engage in something fun and meaningful together.”
Shop Locally for Sustainable Gifts this Mother’s Day
By shopping locally, you can reduce your carbon footprint and support local businesses, while finding the perfect eco-friendly gift to celebrate your mom.
Rebecca Singer is an educator, mom and museum professional with over 20 years’ experience designing fun, cultural events and activities for kids and families. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and daughter.
Related:
Rebecca Singer is an educator, mom and museum professional with over 20 years’ experience designing fun, cultural events and activities for kids and families. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and daughter.
