Eco-friendly and sustainable gifts for your mum

My mother is pretty awesome. She gave birth to me, took care of me, and has been my biggest supporter since Day One. I mean, she stayed up until 3AM (with my dad) to watch me graduate with my MSc -- literally, did not sleep until she saw me walk across the stage in less than a minute. We are a lot alike (caused us to butt heads a lot while I was a teenager) which is why we get along so great. Being so far away from family is hard, especially during these holidays! Side note: do you know expensive it is to ship a box from New Zealand or Australia to the USA? It's a lot. So while I can't give my mami what she deserves (which is the entire world), here are some eco-friendly and sustinable gifts to give your mums!

A reusable coffee cup

My mother guzzles the stuff. And while she rarely has it to-go (aka a Starbucks run), these re-usable cups (good for any hot drink) come in a slew of different colours and sizes! Easy to pick one (or two) for your momma... and maybe nab one for yourself, too. They're so easy to wash, too. It's a great way to cut down on coffee cups that have plastic in them!

Some of my favourite brands (in no particular order) are KeepCup, Frank Green, Sol Cups, and Biome. Do you have a fave? See mine here:
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Tea leaves

Did you know tea bags have plastic in them?! Me either! Maybe your tea-obsessed mother doesn't know either. Pick out her favourite flavors, put them in a cute reusable tin, and get a snazzy tea infuser (I had to look up the name for it... I just call mine the "tea dipper" or "shark fin" because mine is a shark fin) for her to still enjoy her warm pick-me-up while ditching the sneaky plastic! And instead of using sugar, support the bees and get some organic honey! The best sweetener with the cutest workers.

My go-to tea leaves (and other accessories) shop is T2 -- their variety is fantastic and the flavors are always so aromatic. This Tea Forte Herbal Retreat Tea Collection from Terrain looks yummy, though -- and what a great price!
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Soy candles

Who doesn't love candles?! They're even better when they are renewable, non-toxic, and 100% soy wax - basically as clean and 'green' as they come. The soft glow and delicious smells will be something she thanks you for as she winds down for the day.

​For those in the USA, the Homesick candles are some of my fave -- their candle collection includes cities, states, countries, holidays, and memories. Some sweet friends of mine gifted my husband and I our respective states (his South Carolina and mine Florida) and we get transported back home every time we light one. Might have to get an Australian one for my mum so she can think of me each time she lights it!  Or a Puerto Rico one, where we were both born.

Some other favourites of mine...
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A cute lunch set

My momma is a hard-working woman! And she deserves a delicious home-cooked meal for lunch. It not only cuts down on costs (continuously buying lunch adds up) but is healthier, too! She can feel good by knowing her lunchbox is eco-friendly and sustainably made, too.

Some of my tried and true is the Box Appetit sandwich container from Black and Blum, as well as their thermo pot. I have friends who love their stainless steel bento boxes, too! Ever Eco is my fave for those, and where I got my reusable straws from! Don't forget to pack from eco-friendly cutlery, too. Store it all away in a plastic-free lunch bag... like this handmade, lined cotton lunch bag that can be washed!

Check out these cute lunch boxes:

Nail Polish

Do you and your mum love to get your nails done? Does she have a stash at home? Well unless they're an eco-friendly brand, they're filled with a lot of nasty chemicals that are hurting your nails!

Little Ondine has an all-natural, water-based formula. I've got the "Cuddle" color, and it lasts about as long as my other nail polishes. I'm waiting for my others to finish so I can make the full switch over! Deborah Lippmann is another personal favourite - they are vegan and formulated to be 7-free (read what that means here) and not tested on animals. 
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Pick one out to try these lines out:

Jewelry

Some mothers really like jewelry. My mum and I don't wear a lot of jewelry - just the basics. But as I journey into building my own collection, I try to make sure mine comply with ethical and fair trade practices in the business (my engagement ring and wedding bands fall into this category... good job, hubby). 

A few of my favorite brands for delivering top-quality pieces are Cred Jewellery, Misuzi, One Happy Leaf and Kaleidoscope. The possibilities are endless now, and I love that many fashion brands are trying to increase awareness about fair trade and sustainable fashion. Hand crafted creations are beautiful, especially when they let ​artisans support their communities. 
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Greeting cards

Most mother's get a card on their special day. (Guilty.) But is your card eco-friendly? Probably not. (Also guilty.)  Try to choose cards that are all printed on sustainable papers, often 100% recycled paper, and use natural ink. Little Earth Nest and Earth Greetings are some of my faves. (You can also surprise her with 100% recyclable cotton business cards from Moo. But maybe on another day.)

Beauty

Perfect for the mama who enjoys her beauty products! Many beauty brands are going natural, organic, and eco-friendly. They're saying "buh-bye" to plastic packaging and toxic chemicals while embracing sustainably-sourced "green" ingredients. What are your fave beauty brands? 

One of my favourites is Tata Harper - to put it simply, I'm obsessed. They are jam-packed with natural ingredients and have banned artificial colors and fragrances (as well as synthetic chemicals). Want to know how fresh your product is? They etch each batch number into the bottom of the bottle- and you can trace yours! I'd suggest getting the Tata Harper Natural Age-Defying Skincare Discovery Kit or the ​Luminous Glow Collection to see if you like the line. Or, to start smaller, try out the Resurfacing Mask or Regenerating Cleanser (because one can never have enough cleansers). The Volumizing Lip and Cheek Tint is one of my new additions and I am loving the bit of colour it gives me!

Isla Apothecary is another go-to on my list because their wonderful formulas are housed in eco-friendly glass containers! Their coffee, cinnamon, and sea salt scrub is on my weekly "must do beauty hacks" and smells divine.

Need someone for everything between facial oil and moisturizer? Have no fear, Sister & Co. is here. The pretty packaging caught my eye but their 100% natural ingredients sealed the deal.

And beauty obviously equals sleep, so why not gift her a 100% organic or 100% silk sleeping eye mask? I have the famous Slip eye mask and pillowcase -- my hair and face have never felt better! May need to get new colors soon... I currently have the Slip Sleep Mask in pink and I'm eyeing the black one...

P.S. I get a lot of people asking me what mascara I use that has my lashes looking miles long -- it's INIKA's  (Inika Long Lash Vegan Mascara)! Gives me great results AND is certified vegan, cruelty free and Halal. #winning

Get it (and  the INIKA Trial Pack here):

Misc. Gifts

Does she like to throw a good party? Perhaps a reclaimed wood serving tray will be useful for just those kinds of events! You can even serve her some of her favourite foods on it while presenting it -- bring in some drinks, a movie, and a cozy blanket and you're set!

Maybe she enjoys gardening. Buying her seeds for that season is a cute idea, especially when paired with a sun hat, some gloves, and a watering can. Joining her every once in a while will be a nice time to bond and talk... and at the end of it all, you'll get something yummy to eat, too!

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What are you gifting your mother this year?

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