We should be showing appreciation to the special mothers in our lives every day of the year. Though I do think it’s still nice to have a special reason to shower them with a bit of extra love and Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity!

When it comes to gift-giving, I know many people can find it to be a stressful endeavor. Sometimes the way we want to express how we care can pose a financial burden or cause a bit of eco-anxiety. No one wants to feel like they aren’t giving enough and no environmentally conscious person wants to buy something just for it to end up in the trash.

Whatever your motivation, be rest assured there are still great ways to show Mom you care without pulling your hair out. Gifts do not have to be expensive to show your love. Hell, they don’t have to cost anything. I’ve put together a few ideas for you (plus a free gift I made for you that’s ready to share!).

Here are six low to no waste gifts I would LOVE to receive and I know my mom would love to. I’ve included some affiliate and personal shop links for your convenience.

Gift a Plant

As much as I love fresh-cut flowers I don’t think they make a great gift from a sustainability point of view. While it might not seem damaging to throw organic material back into nature, fresh-cut flowers are guilty of passing on high levels of pesticide and fertilizer residue from their farms. This can pollute our waterways and wildlife. You also have to consider the carbon footprint in the transportation and delivery surrounding the industry.

A living plant is much more sustainable and enjoyable long term. It can be a houseplant, vegetable, or aromatics. It doesn't matter as long as they can continue to live and be enjoyed, instead of just cut for aesthetics. It is such a waste to gift flowers that use up valuable resources just to die a week later. If you have plants already, consider propagating a few. If you rather gift vegetables or herbs, check out this guide on regrowing to make a gift from the produce you already have in your fridge!

Gift a New Project

Do you have a mom in your life that loves DIY activities or who lives on Pinterest? Consider offering to start a new project together! Maybe it is starting a small garden or helping to finally put up a new shelf. The idea is to offer your support and full engagement for a project they love. This gift is also an opportunity to share some eco-education too by taking on something new. You could try learning to compost together or take on a decluttering project while discussing the impact of waste. I made a Pinterest board FULL of creative project ideas for every kind of mom you can check out here: DIY Projects to Gift to Mom.

Gift Quality Time

If we were not in a pandemic I would suggest a spa day with everything included BUT while we are in the middle of a pandemic here in Canada, you can still spend some quality time at home. This suggestion is similar to gifting a new project but the focus of this is on treating the mom in your life — because sometimes, everyone just needs a break. Here are some unique ways to gift quality time at home no matter where you are.

Quality Time In Person :

1. Cook a Special Dinner or order in from a local restaurant

2. Have a mom’s choice movie night complete with cozy blankets and snacks

3. Organize a game’s night with a variety of mom’s favorite board or card games

Quality Time Virtually:

1. Send groceries to mom’s house and cook the same meal together over zoom

2. Download the Chrome Extention Netflix Party and enjoy watching a movie together from afar

3. Try out the friend’s deck of Date Night Questions to share stories and get to know each other better

Gift Exercise and Good Company

Getting outside in nature is always a great option. Go for a long walk and have a heart-to-heart chat. Enjoy the scenery, take in the fresh air, and see how she is doing. It is a great opportunity to relax both your minds, stretch your legs and spend some quality time together. Whether it is a leisurely stroll or a mountain hike, being encouraged to move your body will increase your endorphins, help you to connect, and will feel rewarding.

During the pandemic mental health has been a struggle for many people. It is important to keep in touch and talk about how we feel. Having someone else take the lead in planning an activity like this will let your mom feel cared for, and ensure she knows you value her health.

Gift Personalized Coupons

This suggestion is exciting because it comes with another freebie for you!

Consider creating personalized coupons that match her hobbies, interests, and include some unexpected treats. This is a great idea to show you know and pay attention to her. If the mom in your life’s love language is gifting but you are strapped for cash, a coupon book is the perfect sentimental, nostalgic gift for any age. I created a free PDF download with a ton of different coupon ideas for you to treat your mom with. You can select the ones you like, leave the ones you don’t, and put them together to create a custom set. You can then print it off, email it, or text it to the special mothers in your life to redeem at a later date.

I made this coupon book by asking some women who are mothers of different ages what the want. The result is in this book.

Gift Reusable Products

If you wanting to buy a physical gift for the Moms in your life this year, why not consider one that is low waste, sustainable, reusable, or biodegradable. My little virtual store has beautiful, yet practical gifts for any type of mom. I think the best type of gift is the ones that are practical, but something you would never buy for yourself. Perhaps you have a mom that’s always on the go that could really use a quality reusable water bottle, or a mom that loves interior design but would never splurge on something like 100% pure linen bedding. I’ve included some of my favorites below, but be sure to check out the rest of the shop to see the other kitchen, home, and new mom products I have to offer!