You’ll probably receive your fair share of chocolate and handmade gifts this Mother’s Day and you’ll love them but I’ve found some gifts you might want to add to your wish list. Not only will you enjoy these gifts but also other women will benefit from your purchase. Here are 8 Mother’s Day gift ideas that give.
Neno Mom Bracelet
The folks at Me to We work with communities in developing countries become self sufficient. Not only does this Neno Mom Bracelet benefit women by employing their artisan skills, with each bracelet purchased DHL will provide a health clinic visit for a mother and child, something that many of us take for granted in our own country.
Another one of my favourite pieces is the Luxe Rafiki Friend Chain. A stretchy glass bead chain this can be worn around your arm, neck, or even ankle and shows others your commitment to helping other mothers live sustainable lives.
100% Natural Relaxing Eye Mask Pillow
Pamper yourself with a. Pure Naturalis 100% pure unbleached cotton eye pillow filled with raw unscented flax seeds (linseeds). Owner, maker, design, and curator Slavka has been following her family tradition of making natural skincare products. Enjoy a little quiet rest knowing your gift is also support a mom running a small business in Canada.
BeGift for a New Mom
Whether it’s the first or the fifth, a new baby in the house is something to celebrate and that makes this Mother’s Day extra special. BeGift.com is an online registry and gift shop offering local services that any new mom would love, from child photography to post-pregnancy health and wellness. Not only do gifts from BeGift support mom entrepreneur Tamara Kate but many of the local shops and services highlighted on BeGift.com are also small mom-based businesses. Currently the shop only covers the Toronto area but they have plans to expand to central Ontario, Calgary and area, as well as Vancouver and area.
Blossom Pendant
Based in Toronto, Citrus Silver creates personalized hand stamped jewelry ideal for mom. Flowers seem synonymous with Mother’s Day (we even put together a list of 51 Flower-themed Craft Ideas), making this Blossom Pendant a perfect gift with your children’s names etched around the petals. You can even add your own birthstone to the pendant.
If dainty jewelry isn’t your style you might be drawn to these funkier leather cuffs with a silver charm. Either way, you look stylish keeping your kids close to your heart all why supporting another woman in business.
Porcelain Handleless Cup
Whether you fancy coffee or tea, there’s something magical about wrapping your hand around a warm cup first thing after all the morning chaos as subsided. This handleless tumbler from Erin Morris Ceramics is perfect.
I’m also partial to her taller handleless tumbler too. Created by Erin Morris, designer at her small Canadian business Erin Morris Ceramics, this mug would make any first cup of warm liquid that much more enjoyable this Mother’s Day.
Gifts of Hope Butterfly Pendant
Plan Canada’s Gifts of Hope program is a great way to support mothers and their families in developing countries. The I Am a Girl gifts support programs aimed specifically at young girls and women, such as donating toward the purchase of maternity beds and supplies or literacy training for two women. A great gift to give on your behalf this Mother’s Day but the Gift of Hope Butterfly Pendant gives you a gift while still supporting Plan Canada’s Because I Am a Girl initiative. Each pendant purchase will have Birks donate 50% of the proceeds to I Am a Girl programs.
Personalized Stationary
Nothing beats receiving a note written by hand. It almost seems like a lost art. Whether it’s just to say hello to a distant friend or a thank you to a neighbour for their kindness, having the right paper to jot down your thoughts can change the experience. Designer, crafter and self-professed life long journaler, Jen from Sprout Lux has some lovely stationary sets that will encourage you to put pen to paper. I personally love her geometric design but she offers many other options all to be personalized.
Kosmea
Shopping from women owned and operated small businesses is a great way to support women. Shopping from women owned and operated small businesses that have your health and that of the environment in mind supports us all. Abundance Naturally is one such business, carrying a variety of natural brands for mom and her family. A great gift for mom is one of my favourite brands, Kosmea. Their Discover Collection is a nice way to sample (and ultimately fall in love with) a great skincare line or treat those dark and puffy mom eyes with their Apple of My Eye Cream.
The new mom this Mother’s Day will love the Abundance Naturally Baby line gift set, including soothing diaper rash, calming massage oil and other natural baby essentials.
Mother’s Day should be about treating yourself. You can enjoy the handmade cards from the kids and the flowers from your husband but you can still give yourself a special gift. Finding a gift that you love that also benefits other women is a gift that gives twice as much, whether supporting those struggling in developing countries or those closer to home trying to make a go in their small business. I think that’s one reason I love to shop Etsy Canada, supporting women who are trying to make a business from a personal hobby. I even found a few underwear and sock brands that fit the bill. I hope these seven gift ideas inspire you to look beyond the mainstream, big brand shops.