Sustainable Mother's Day Gift Ideas

My curated list of eco-friendly gifts to suit any mom

If you’re being inundated with Mother’s Day marketing, let me cut through the noise. I’ve curated a list of sustainable gifts and experiences to satisfy various tastes, and I’ve owned or used most of them. The rest come recommended by people I know and trust. I have no affiliation with these brands and don’t make a cent from promoting these products. I’m just happy to promote brands and products that are better for the planet.

Organic Cotton Robe by Simons, $135

After gifting this robe to my niece a couple of years ago, I saw (or rather, felt) how plush it was — and added it to my wish list. Finally, after several hints, I got one for Christmas. Made with 100% organic cotton terry, it’s super comfy and absorbent.

Bird-friendly Coffee from Birds & Beans, from $18.23

Bird-friendly coffee is the best of the best: not only is it organic and fair trade, but it contributes to healthy habitat for birds and other wildlife. This coffee from Birds and Beans tastes great, too. It’s roasted in Etobicoke, Ontario, where they’ve been roasting for more than 20 years. With 17 blends to choose from, I suggest the Coffee of the Month subscription until mama picks a favourite. (Psst: Mine is Shadow).

Heart of Chocolate Gift Pack by ChocoSol, $41

If you’re not familiar with ChocoSol, it’s small-batch dark chocolate made traditionally with ethically sourced, sustainably grown cacao. The Heart of Chocolate gift bundles some of their most popular chocolates: a cherry truffle pack, a cherry hearts pack, and two bars of vanilla sea salt bark.

Cork Yoga Mat by Scoria, $135

This cork yoga mat is a great alternative to toxic plastic — and the designs are beautiful. It’s made with sustainably harvested cork, has great traction, and contains no harmful chemicals. After all, when yoga is all about connecting with the breath, we should take care to use products that don’t off gas chemicals into the air we’re breathing.

Pajama Pant Set by Love & Lore, $69.99

These are my favourite pyjamas. They are silky-soft, breathable, and lightweight — and frankly, quite flattering. They are made of LENZING™ EcoVero™ viscose, a fibre derived from wood grown in responsibly-managed forests and produced using 50% lower emissions and water than generic viscose.

Flax Linen Sheets by Silk & Snow, $207

I LOVE linen, and these sheets are on my wish list. Linen gets softer with every wash, and it is ultra breathable (which moms in perimenopause or menopause will appreciate). Best of all, linen is perhaps the most sustainable fabric, requiring little water and no pesticides. Plus it’s naturally renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. These sheets are made in Portugal from European flax grown in France and Belgium without any chemicals.

Master Class Subscription, from $8/month

My husband and I have a shared subscription to MasterClass, and we’re both loving it. You get to learn from high profile instructors about any number of topics, from writing to cooking to business. I’m currently binging on Margaret Atwood’s class, and it is fabulous. For the lifelong learner, this is a great gift that doesn’t require shipping, packaging, or materials.

Edelweiss Day Cream by The Body Shop, $38

This is hands down my favourite face cream. Not only does it come in a recycled glass bottle, but the lid is metal (not plastic). As for the cream itself, it’s silky and leaves my skin feeling nourished and hydrated — not greasy. Made with 97% natural ingredients, it’s enriched with edelweiss, a plant with powerful antioxidant properties.

ReNew Photobook by Pikto, from $65

If you have lots of photos of mom, grandma, or the kids stashed on your devices, consider turning them into a photobook — it will be cherished. My go-to print lab is Pikto, located in Toronto. Their ReNew Photobook is crafted with recycled board and sustainable linen, and printed with compostable inks on recycled paper.

Portrait Photoshoot

All too often, moms are the ones taking photos — and rarely in them. Even if she doesn’t love having her picture taken, she’ll appreciate the opportunity to be photographed by someone with the tools, skills, and artistic vision to make her look her best. Besides, mothers deserve to be seen and remembered in photos.

I can’t recommend a specific photographer or company because everyone has different budgets and tastes. Search for photographers in your area, ask friends for recommendations, and hire someone whose work you love.

A Subscription to an Environmentally Conscious Publication ;)

Consider gifting a weekly dose of hope and inspiration: good news stories, how-to’s, product suggestions like these, and deep dives into the people and organizations doing incredible work for the planet. It’s waste-free and helps me bring more valuable content to readers like you.

Have any other suggestions or questions? Get in touch! There’s always time for a Part 2. I’d love to hear from you.

Yours for the Greater Good,

Brett