Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to celebrate the special women in your life, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could also celebrate Mother Earth in the process too? This Mother’s Day, why not treat your mother to something special while also remembering Mother Earth? There are many eco-friendly Mother’s Day gift ideas that fit the bill — and the perfect gift doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult.
If you are not sure where to begin, this list of eco-friendly Mother’s Day gift ideas will get you started. These gifts are not only sweet and thoughtful but are also kind to our planet. Who can ask for a better gift than that?
1. Spring bulbs
There are many varieties of bulbs that provide spring and summer blooms. Flowers will not only make mom’s yard look amazing, but they can attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Try arranging some bulbs in a basket for a beautiful gift.
2. Tree sapling
What better way to honor mom than to plant a tree in her name? Trees keep the planet cool, provide homes for animals, and help clean the air. Plant a tree in mom’s honor or give her a tree to plant
3. Reusable shopping bags
Help mom shop responsibly with reusable shopping bags
4. Reusable cleaning cloths
Like reusable shopping bags, a wide variety of eco-friendly reusable cleaning cloths
5. All-natural bath bombs
There are so many wonderful varieties of bath bombs
6. Soap nuts (& wood dryer balls)
Moms do a ton of laundry, right? Help make laundry time a little easier and more eco-friendly when you treat mom to natural soap nuts
7. Handcrafted bird feeder
Visit a local farmer’s market or artisan shop to find mom a handcrafted bird feeder. Or make one yourself! Feeding the birds is a fun hobby but be sure to take the right precautions to keep your feathered friends safe and healthy.
8. Beneficial insect house
Is mom a gardener? Give her a beneficial insect house. It looks a bit like a birdhouse but has lots of small compartments and it attracts pollinators, like mason bees, and beneficial insects, like lacewings and ladybugs, that help keep away pests that damage garden plants.
9. Butterfly feeder
Does your mom enjoy looking at butterflies? Or gardening? Why not treat her — and her garden — to a butterfly feeder? If you’re feeling crafty, you can find instructions online to make one yourself. The feeders attract butterflies, which aren’t just beautiful, they’re also important pollinators.
10. Gift certificates to eco-friendly businesses
Patronize eco-friendly businesses in your area and treat mom at the same time! Give her a gift certificate to a local eco-friendly business. She gets to pick out something she would enjoy and you help support the local business — a win-win!
11. Wildflower seeds
Native wildflowers are not only beautiful but, once established, generally require little maintenance. Native plants are important for the survival of birds and pollinators, too. And it’s fun to plant them and watch them grow. Consider giving mom some wildflower seed balls or packets of wildflower seeds so she can spread some beauty around.
12. Essential oils
Consider an eco-friendly line of essential oils for mom to use in her beauty products, her homemade cleaning products, or to diffuse for aromatherapy. There are oils to aid with all sorts of issues, so choose a variety for her to enjoy.
13. All-natural cleaners
Pair the reusable cleaning cloths mentioned above with all-natural, eco-friendly cleaners so mom can get the cleaning done without the harsh chemicals! You could even include some all-natural cleaners you whipped up yourself!
14. Air purifying plants
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue and many varieties of ferns are perfect for purifying the air. Consider giving mom an air-purifying houseplant so she can enjoy the beauty while breathing in cleaner air at the same time.
15. Mini herb garden
Consider giving mom a mini herb garden she can grow on a patio or in a window. No time to put one together for her? Herb garden kits are a fun project that will reward your mom with fresh and healthy herbs at her fingertips.
16. Bicycle
Give mom the gift of health with a new bike! Biking is a great way for her to get exercise, run errands, and, of course, reduce fuel consumption.
17. Jewelry made from recycled materials
On Etsy, you can find an assortment of jewelry that is made from repurposed materials. How cool is that? Gift mom some upcycled jewelry that is not only beautiful but also reuses items that might have otherwise ended up in the landfill.
18. Compost bin
Decorate/paint a can, add a lid, and gift mom a kitchen-sized compost bin for food scraps. If you know she wants something bigger, check out these compost bins you can make for her. She is sure to appreciate it when she has tons of “black gold” on hand to feed her garden plants!
19. Rain barrel
Help cut down on water usage when you give mom a rain barrel for Mother’s Day. By collecting rainwater, she can lower her water bill and use fewer resources.
20. Recycled journal
Give mom a journal made from 100% recycled paper. This is a great way to support her creativity with an eco-friendly product.
And don’t forget the card!
You can send your mom a Mother’s Day e-card — a wide selection is available online. Tree-free and no recycling needed!
Feature image courtesy of Archie Binamira from Pexels
Originally published on May 4, 2016, this article was updated in April 2021.