Ten Mother’s Day Gifts for the Conscious Consumer

The countdown is on as buyers clutch their wallets searching for Mother’s Day gifts. They hunt in malls, boutiques and drug stores longing for the good old days when they got by with macaroni cards that brought mothers to tears.

However, gone are also the days of giving gifts devoid of function and meaning.  Today, conscious consumers have embraced a consumerism with a higher purpose; rather than buying for buying’s sake, only purchasing gifts with heart, soul and usefulness.

Unleash the Conscious Consumer in You

This Mother’s Day consider showing your love to your mother and planet through eco and socially responsible gifts such as these:

1. The Organic on the Go Dress from Global Girlfriend offers shoppers an affordable option that is convenient, fashionable and conscious. Sewn by nuns in India, the cotton dress does not need ironing. Mom can grab it and go confident that her gift contributes to over 100 economically disadvantaged women.

2. Frames are a classic standby gift and mom deserves an upgrade. World Shoppe, an Indian fair trade group, offers a repurposed frame that is one part home accessory and one part art. Artisans weave the frame with shattered remains of luminous blue or red bangles worn by women in India. Each purchase spreads employment opportunities in the community.

3.  Eighteen years of preparing meals, tending to the sick, and cleaning for no pay can leave a woman feeling exhausted. Make up for it by sending Mom to eco-friendly spas such as the Le Petite Retreat Day Spa in Los Angeles or the Natural Balance Massage and Wellness Center in Brooklyn. Skilled hands will soothe away Mom’s hard service and remind her she is loved.

4. On occasion, mothers have been known to rely on a cup of coffee.  The organic, fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate found in the Advocate Gift Box from Grounds for Change is sure to give a conscious twist to her favorite morning ritual.

5. The Marelab Necklace from Love Heals offers an exquisite grownup version of a charm necklace featuring stones and symbols that stand for the fulfillment of all wishes and the gesture of charity. Plus, for every piece of jewelry purchased at Love Heals, the artisans plant ten trees in the United States or Africa.

6. Purchasing home accessories as gifts can be hit or miss but Mom is certain to welcome the Let Freedom Ring Basket into her home. The artisans of India-based Noah’s Ark cooperative collect iron rings from repair shops and weld the nearly 1,000 connection points. Their work provides employment, health care and educational opportunities for women.

7. No purse screams personality and eco-consciousness more than the Candy Wrapper Clutch from Green with Envy. The sturdy, water resistant frame made from hand folded, recycled candy wrappers will stand up to the pokes from Mom’s friends. These are quickly becoming a conscious consumer classic.

8. Like picture frames, scarves are the default, last minute gift choice of offspring. However when Mom receives this Beaded Silk Scarf from Heed Handicrafts that the purchase of went toward job creation for refugees, disabled people and indigenous tribal groups, she’ll think you put hours into finding it.  You may even end up with your favorite meal that night!

9. Joyeria Semilla made its vibrant red Choco Seed Necklace so eye catching that it can compete with any gem. Crafted in the Andean town of Villa de Leyva in Columbia, the Red Choco Seed Necklace and Joyeria Semilla creates jobs, and breaks the chains of alcoholism, prostitution and theft among local youth.

10. The colloquialism, “have a cow,” has a permanent spot in nineties popular culture. Giving cattle to underserved families can open a gateway to a new livelihood. Heifer International enables gift givers to donate livestock to poverty-stricken families around the world. Proceeds from surplus milk go to fund education, healthcare initiatives and neighborhood improvements. A dream gift for the conscious consumer!

Dawn S. Smith has garnered critical acclaim for her ability to integrate issues of politics and popular culture into unique hybrid narrative forms. With her company, maisol media (www.maisolmedia.com), the freelance writer uses her expertise to contribute to communications campaigns for the corporate and non-profit sectors.

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