Mother’s Day is all about showing our moms we care—and that includes our collective planetary mother. Finding the best sustainable Mother’s Day gifts that will appease both can be challenging, especially when balancing sentimentality, practicality, and sustainability.
To help you out, we’ve done the bulk of the labor (though nothing compared to the kind your mom went through!) to find these mom-and-planet-approved recycled or organic gifts for Mother’s Day—or any holiday, really!
Just remember: the most meaningful gifts can’t be bought online. Cook her a meal, write her a heartfelt letter (on plantable seed paper, perhaps?), make her some DIY goodies, and, above all, spend some quality time together.
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Index: Best Eco-Friendly Gifts For Mom
- Candles Jump to section
- Robes Jump to section
- Skincare Jump to section
- Cosmetics Jump to section
- Slippers Jump to section
- Activewear Jump to section
- Yoga Mats Jump to section
- Handbags & Pouches Jump to section
- DIY Beauty Products Jump to section
Candles
You can never go wrong with candles if you’re running out of gift ideas.
The “Hey Beautiful” Candle Relaxation Kit from Uproot Design Studio includes a scented soy candle, a “Candle Gazing” mindfulness card, and a pocket mindfulness journal with hand-drawn artwork, coloring pages, and journal prompts for mom to really chill out and get some zen time.
Mom will be a moth(er) to a flame with PF Candle Co., which uses 100% domestically-sourced soy in their vegan soy wax candles, topped off with a clean-burning cotton-core wick and essential oils for scents like Black Fig and Saltwater Jasmine. All the candles come in amber jars with their signature kraft label and brass lid that can be repurposed as a planter, pencil holder, or coin jar.
My Personal Review of UpRoot Design Studio’s Homey Haven Gift Box:
“Natural soy wax candles? Three delicious teas? Sustainable honey to sweeten them? An embroidery kit?! It’s like UpRoot personally knows all the things I love. I really enjoyed this little kit, which is perfect for self-caring, even just relaxing and unwinding.”
My Personal Review of PF Candle Co’s Sandalwood Rose Soy Candle:
“I can always count on PF Candle Co. for a beautiful candle, and the Sandalwood Rose scent is my favorite. The mix of warm sandalwood and delicate rose creates a calming, welcoming ambiance without being too strong. Plus, it’s made with soy wax, so it burns cleanly and doesn’t leave a black mark above it.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Robes
Nothing says ‘I love you, Mom’ like a cozy, organic robe that can hide the fact that she’s been wearing the same pajamas for three days—no judgment, because honestly, she deserves that.
One of the best Mother’s Day gifts is the Organic French Terry Robe from Avocado, made from ultra-plush GOTS-certified organic cotton. It’s as ideal for lounging in the summer as it is snuggling up in the fall.
The Women’s Waffle Robe from MagicLinen is lovingly handmade from 100% OEKO-TEX certified linen that’s stone washed for maximum softness. Plus it ships in biodegradable packaging, is certified free from harsh chemicals, and MagicLinen strives for zero waste at their production facilities.
My Personal Review of MagicLinen’s Women’s Waffle Robe:
“I’m all about those cinnamon waffles in the morning, so when I spotted the Waffle Robe in this dreamy cinnamon color, it felt like fate. It’s nice and long, has a drapey hood that gives off total Jedi vibes, and the fabric is so soft and cozy that I’d happily hibernate in this all winter!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Skincare
Mom’s inner beauty is sure to shine thanks to Shine Skincare Co’s crystal-infused Youth Serum, a revolutionary Peptide Facial Serum designed for anyone who wants a little plumping with their pampering.
Because this natural anti-aging product is truly the fountain of youth-approved! It’s also vegan, organic, and lovingly handmade.
To boost mom’s glow further, you can also try the Smooth and Stellar duo from Desavery, a total power couple with Smooth applied first to deeply hydrate skin, followed by Stellar to seal in moisture, while nourishing mom’s skin. This simple and luxurious routine is made with natural ingredients that the skin can easily absorb.
It’s made a noticeable difference in the smoothness of our skin in weeks of use and we’re obsessed with the earthy smell of the clary sage, bergamot, and frankincense.
My Personal Review of Shine Skincare’s Youth Serum:
“I can’t say I’m happy about reaching the age where I finally feel like I could benefit from something called a Youth Serum, but I AM happy to have found this product because, aging or not, my skin really loves this stuff. And I love that all the ingredients are super antioxidant-rich, like the Alpha Lipoic Acid and Blue Green Algae that gives it that gorgeous green color. I’ve been using it for almost six months now, every night before bed, and I really do feel like my skin tone is more even, and the creases on my forehead appear lighter.”
My Personal Review of Desavery’s Duo Smooth and Stellar:
“I’ve been testing the Stellar Face Oil by Desavery, and its earthy, invigorating scent is truly a standout feature—like a grounding breath of fresh forest air with a touch of citrus. The oil absorbs quickly, leaving my skin feeling deeply nourished and glowing without any greasy residue. I like to apply it first thing in the morning. Paired with the Smooth quick-absorbing serum, it creates a perfect duo for hydration and balance, elevating my skincare ritual into a sensory delight.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Cosmetics
Choosing sustainable gifts for mom is a thing of beauty—quite literally if they’re from sustainable makeup brands.
The Multi-Stick Bundles Axiology includes 3 plastic-free crayons for eyes, lips, and cheeks, all made from vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. The box features packaging made from recycled and sustainable materials.
Or choose Terra Stoma’s Eye Potions in a whole range of colors—from mermaid-chic Neptune to our favorite, the rustic Copal. It’s a gorgeous, glam, gold-hued, plant-based, non-toxic, cruelty-free eyeshadow packaged in a sustainable glass tube. The subtle satin shimmer truly is a magic potion, and it goes on as liquid, dries instantly, and remains crease-free on mom’s lids from day to night.
My Personal Review of Axiology’s Multi-Sticks:
“Multi-use products are the name of the game in my (literal) tiny house as they help me save so much storage space, and Axiology’s Multisticks are no exception. I can use them to add color to my lips, eyes, or cheeks, though I definitely find myself using them for the lips more than anything. While they blend seamlessly for a nice subtle tint on the skin, my cheeks just naturally get very red, so I rarely need blush at all, but I love the moisturizing feel of them on the lips.”
My Personal Review of Terra Stoma’s Eye Potion Liquid Eyeshadow:
“If I had to sum up Terra Stoma’s collection in just a few words, it would be Gaia get’s glam. Imagine earthy, natural tones with a little metallic magic sprinkled in. I got to try their liquid eyeshadow “potions,” and the shades are nothing short of dreamy. My top pick is Copal — it has a gorgeous satin finish that’s perfect for a subtle but stunning look. But if I want to glam up, the gold Idol is my go-to for full-on sparkle and shine!
I also love using their multi-use Beauty Stick for lips, cheeks, and eyes, which comes in a fully compostable and ultra-compact cardboard tube. I love how silky smooth it feels, and it smells divine! You also only need a small amount because the color is so vivid, and it spreads so well that each stick lasts a long time, in my experience.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Slippers
Step up your gifting game this year with something mom will actually use. Nootkas’ Astoria Slipper, made from hand-felted mulesing-free Merino wool from New Zealand, is ideal for shuffling around the house.
Or gift the eco-friendly errand-runner in your life a pair of our personal favorite Kyrgies’ indoor/outdoor Tengries Walkabouts, made from chemical-free natural felted wool using fair-trade practices.
My Personal Review of Kyrgies’ Tengries:
“I’m a big fan of the Tengries, which are super versatile thanks to the naturally tanned leather sole which makes them good for both inside and outside wear. I typically wear mine when I’m doing little jobs around the yard or fetching the mail. They’re light and comfy, and the wool keeps them smelling nice even after tons of use!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Activewear
With summer fast approaching, it’s time to get active again by swimming, busting a sweat at the gym, hitting the trails, or practicing some yoga by the beach. And you’ll want to make sure your mom who does it all does it all organic or recycled fabrics instead of virgin plastic synthetics.
Girlfriend Collective is perfect for the fun-loving and nature-loving mom with their 50/50 Classic Jogger. It’s made from a super soft blend of organic and recycled cotton making it comfy for both mom and the Earth.
For the show-stopping active mom, prAna makes super stylish and thoughtful yoga gear.
My Personal Review of Girlfriend Collective’s 50/50 Classic Jogger:
“The 50/50 Classic Joggers from Girlfriend Collective are my new favorite! They’re ridiculously soft and warm thanks to the thick blend of recycled and organic cotton, which keeps me toasty even on those freezing Wyoming mornings. I’m really impressed by the quality, especially the waistband, which is wide and super comfy and the relaxed fit makes these my go-to for both lounging around and running errands.”
My Personal Review of prAna’s Becksa™ Unitard:
“Okay, confession time: I’m ALL about the one-piece. Whether it’s overalls, jumpsuits, or unitards – I’m obsessed! So I was super excited to try out the Becksa™ Unitard. It’s a super sleek, all-in-one yoga outfit that’s both fancy and practical. Comfort? 100% on point (no awkward wedgies or camel toe). And the cutout back has me feeling like a yoga goddess—even when I’m totally flopping out of eagle pose.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Yoga Mats
Upgrade your mom’s yoga game from “downward dog” to “downward diva” with the yoga wheel from Scoria. Made of sustainably sourced cork, we personally love this for its ability to help open the back, chest, hip flexors and shoulders, all while providing her spine some free-wheelin’ love. Scoria also offer beautifully designed cork mats.
And because no sustainable gift for Mother’s Day should put undue strain on the body or planet, add in some eco-friendly props to help her effortlessly achieve those tricky poses.
My Personal Review of Scoria’s Illuminate Cork Yoga Wheel:
“The Illuminate Cork Yoga Wheel is a game-changer! It was challenging to get to grips with at first, but it’s made such a big difference to my core strength and balance skills. With its gorgeous moon phase cork top, it’s not just a yoga prop—it doubles as chic home decor, too!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Handbags & Pouches
Moms have a lot of equipment to keep on hand at all times—bandaids, snacks, some extra cash you’re sure to ask her for…
Carry Courage makes a beautiful cosmetic pouch made from sustainably sourced cork, perfect for carrying all mom’s own bits and bobs, as well as those of the family. Carry Courage is one of our top rated brands – see the rating here.
For something a little smaller, Pixie Moodd’s Jane 2-in-1 Crossbody bag is 50% purse and 50% wallet, made of recycled vegan leather, and features an interior made of recycled plastic bottles. Durable, sleek, and functional, mom’s sure to feel like a PETA-approved conscious kween.
My Personal Review of Pixie Mood’s Jane 2-in-1 Crossbody:
“The Jane 2-in-1 Crossbody functions as both a wallet and a mini purse, which is perfect for my daily needs. If I just want to grab my wallet, I can unclip it in a flash. I also love how the magnetic connection keeps everything secure when it’s together. It’s super stylish, and the faux nubuck leather gives it a classy vibe that pairs effortlessly with anything—plus, no ethical worries!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
DIY Beauty Products
When it comes to Mother’s Day, there’s something extra special about giving a gift that’s not only thoughtful but handmade by you. So we chose two of our personal fave beauty recipes (click on the links below for the instructions) that are practical, and planet-friendly way to show Mom you care.
For the mom who deserves a little indulgence (without the waste), whip up a homemade coffee scrub using just a few pantry staples. This exfoliating treat blends used coffee grounds, natural oils, and honey to soften and brighten the skin while giving food waste a second life. Rich in antioxidants and circulation-boosting caffeine, it’s the perfect pick-me-up for tired hands, feet, or wherever she needs a little glow.
Or go the nourishing route with a DIY body lotion that blends shea butter, aloe vera gel, and pure vanilla for a luxurious moisturizer that’s free from synthetic chemicals. It’s ideal for dry or sensitive skin and feels like a spa day in a jar—no harsh additives, just hydration and love.
Because what says “I love you, Mom” more than a gift made with your own two hands—and one that’s kind to her skin and the planet?
Molly Willows is a Thailand-based writer for sustainability and purpose-driven publications and brands. She has a BA in Philosophy from the University of King’s College and an MA in Anthropology from Freie Universität Berlin. With a strong background in TV and advertising, she’s held top-tier roles such as Director and Executive Producer. Really, Molly loves being a semi-nomadic writer most of all. Today, she happily spends her days writing, researching, teaching yoga, meditating, and attempting to surf. Molly’s words are published by Huffington Post and The Guardian, and some of her previous film projects can be seen on Hulu, Apple TV, or at the iconic Onassis Stegi in Athens.
