My family is not big on holidays. For example, had I not dropped a subtle hint, Mother’s Day could have been completely forgotten this year! Even though they can be forgetful, my family is very generous. Past gifts included rose bushes for the garden, as I prefer flowers with roots over cut ones.
This Mother’s Day, I neither need nor want material items. I am tired of the consumer culture we live in that make us feel each holiday, birthday, celebration, etc. demands a gift. It is just not sustainable.
Here are some ideas for my family this Mother’s Day:
- A clean house: A constant chore of motherhood is cleaning, laundry, picking up, etc. To have the day off from domestic chores (or a week off if they really clean!) would be a wonderful gift.
- Family work day in the garden: Spring time explodes with garden work, and it gets a little overwhelming when you try to grow most of your own food organically. Although I get help off and on, a full day of family devotion to the garden would be grand and alleviate stress in my life.
- Hot bath with a glass of organic wine in privacy: As a mother of small children, there is a never an uninterrupted, moment. I don’t believe in locking doors, but to take a hot bath, sip some organic wine, and relax would be heavenly.
- A long hike: I hike everyday, but it is rare to have the childcare necessary for a long hike. Although it may seem strange to want time away from your children on Mother’s Day, family hikes occur often enough but are limited to the three miles my five-year-old son can trek. I want to hike at least ten miles, listen to the sounds of nature, and meditate on the movement without having to give a piggy back ride.
- A nap!
As far as my own mother is concerned, I usually treat her to a new Dr. Hauschka beauty product. I still can’t get past that feeling of obligation to give my own mother a gift on this holiday.
Great post, Jennifer. Time to yourself should be at the top of this list when you have small kids 🙂
The green Mother’s Day advice that I am working hard to spread is to NOT by cut flowers. About 75% of the conventional cut flower market in the US is served by growers in Colombia and Ecuador. The working conditions and environmental practices at most of these farms are deplorable. The fossil fuels expended to export the flowers seems ridiculous when the flowers will be thrown in the trash after a few days 🙁
You are not alone in feeling obligated to get something for your Mother. American grown living plants are a greener alternative to cut flowers.
Love all these ideas! I am not sure why our society focuses so much on buying the best, most expensive, gifts for Mother’s Day. Wait, I do know a little bit… but still. How many mamas would much rather have an experience, a handmade something from her little ones, an intangible something that means more to her than anything? That is what I want for sure.