Mother’s Day is around the corner. If your go-to present is a bouquet of flowers, it might be time to switch it up. Instead of going with the expected — and cliche — gift this year, give your mom something thoughtful that makes a bigger impact on the world. Consider the following charity-inspired Mother’s Day gift ideas:
Donation to a Charity
Help your mom celebrate women around the world by making a donation in her name. Some women- and mother-based charities include:
Save the Children: Your donation will go to emergency newborn care packages, orphan care, small business loans, girls education and more to women all around the world. You also can choose a specific gift or sponsorship that includes donating books, funds to after-school programs, sports equipment, medical supplies or clean-water tools.
UNICEF Inspired Gifts: Help mothers around the world take care of their children by giving to the UNICEF Mother’s Day Moments Fund. Your donation will help UNICEF respond to emergencies and provide those in need with the food and nutrients they need.
Heifer International: Heifer focuses on ending world hunger by providing people with the training and livestock needed to become self-reliant. Some of the livestock includes honeybees, goats, geese, chickens and sheep. Heifer also has programs that help girls and women get an education and start small businesses.
Your mom will love helping other mothers around the world take care of their families and themselves. But don’t forget to pamper her a little. Attach the donation card to a gift basket full of sweets or to a gift card to her favorite restaurant.
Volunteer Day
Spend the day volunteering together. If your mom is already part of a charity, organize a Mother’s Day fundraiser or event to get the whole family and/or your community involved.
If your mom always talks about volunteering but hasn’t found the right organization, try a few out on Mother’s Day. Spend a few hours at a pet shelter to help walk and socialize the dogs, then go to a nursing home to visit with the people who live there. If you need a little extra help finding an organization that speaks to you or your mom, sites like volunteermatch.org can help to see what’s happening in your community that day.
Charitable Gifts
If you still want to get your mom a little something for Mother’s Day, there are plenty of charitable options. Look for businesses, products and services that donate some or all of their proceeds to charitable organizations. For example, OneHope Wine gives back to to a variety of charities that help plant trees, provide clean drinking water and adopt animals. Or buy your mom a charm bracelet from Altruette — 50 percent of the profits are donated to different causes, including education, arts, animals and community.
Give your mom something different this Mother’s Day. Instead of doing the same old thing, put a little thought into your gift and help make the world a better place.