One of my favorite holidays is this weekend – Mother’s Day! It’s my favorite for obvious reasons, I get to spend the entire day with the mister and Eben doing something fun. Usually, I get to sleep in and then I magically wake up to a lovely brunch complete with mimosas. I told the mister I really wanted to spend the day paddleboarding this year – a day in nature just sounds amazing to me.
How do you plan to celebrate the favorite mom in your life this Sunday? If you have found yourself overbooked on Mother’s Day but forgot to include Mom in your plans or waited until the last minute to get her a gift? Don’t fret! There is still time to pull it together to show Mom how much you truly care. These five, last minute ways to celebrate Mom are kind to her and to the big mama—Mother Earth!
1. Green Dinner Out—or In!
If you’ve waited until the last minute to make Mother’s Day plans, chances are you won’t be able to squeeze in a reservation at her favorite restaurant for brunch. Since most families take Mom out to breakfast or brunch, however, dinner reservations tend to be wide open. Treat the mom in your life to at a restaurant serving up organic, local, or seasonal fare—dining local and in season is always delicious! If she’s a new mom or too busy or tired to enjoy dinner out, order in and rent a few family-friendly movies to enjoy together. If your mom is a true grit eco-foodie, contact a local CSA farm and make her a member so she can enjoy local, organic fruits and vegetables all season.
2. Potted Flowers or Houseplants
Cut flowers are pretty but their shelf life is pretty short and their negative impact on the environment is huge. Mom can enjoy them for about a week before they make their way to the trash and ultimately the landfill. If the mom in your life loves getting flowers, pick up potted perennials or a miniature rose bush that she can plant outdoors and enjoy year after year. If she’s got a knack for houseplants, add to her collection with a pretty succulent or fern in a pot. Indoor plants beautify your space and clean the air!
3. Family Day Outdoors
What better way to appreciate Mom’s grace and beauty than by enjoying the splendor of nature with her? Spend the day together as a family having a picnic outside, hiking in a national park, biking, or enjoying the outdoors whatever way Mom likes best (paddleboarding!). Most moms I know hardly ever get a day off to just relax and enjoy their families without worrying about their mile long to-do lists, let alone enjoy the sunshine and springtime. Show mom how special she is by dropping everything, turning off the phones and computers, and relaxing together. Spending time together outside is free and green!
4. Pay it Forward
Charity is the perfect gift for the conscientious mom or the mom who has everything. Volunteer together at a local wildlife or nature organization, give money or a micro-loan in your mom’s name to emerging small businesses in third world countries, or donate to her favorite charitable organization.
5. Green Your Family Photos
Instead of printing a bunch of photographs and purchasing fancy frames, pick up a digital photo frame and upload years worth of her favorite shots. Depending on the brand and storage capacity, frames can hold anywhere from hundreds to thousands of photos and display them in a slideshow fashion. Give Mom the gift of ALL her favorite photos in one minimal-impact package!
YOUR TURN: How are you spending Mother’s Day weekend?
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