When I was younger, I used to make all my presents. On one special mother’s day, my sister, brother and I made a rather unstable-looking cake with wobbly icing and a dance to go with it. It’s a memory that I’m sure stays with all of us, giving it to her early in the morning in bed and beaming at how thoughtful we’d been.
Since flying the nest a few years ago, those memories are just that – memories. But I still love the loving touch that handmade items bring, and it’s been the inspiration behind this year’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide. As an extension of that, the Etsy UK Mother’s Day Gift Guide gave me some great ideas, and I’ve collected my favourite handmade and ethical finds from the site below.
As a reminder, for my UK readers, Mother’s Day is 11th March 2018, while my US readers will celebrate on 13th May 2018!
For the keen chef
I love a minimalist kitchen (my Home board on Pinterest will tell you that) but some essentials can’t be overlooked. Work surface savers are always handy, and these knitted pot holders from La Pepa Boutique combine style with substance, being made from recycled t-shirt yarn and reclaimed non-leather belts.
For the makeup maven
I’ve always found it hard to buy my mum makeup – I went beauty shopping with my mum last year instead – but this year, instead of getting your mum makeup, perhaps get her something that will help evolve her beauty routine. My bet is on these eco-friendly washable cotton rounds from Leave No Trace Leeds, which will stop her from needing to buy cotton pads, and instead provide a softer, neater alternative!
For the slow fashion fan
If you like to swap fashionable gifts with your mum, perhaps a hand-embroidered tee will make the perfect present. I’ve been a big fan of Damaja Handmade on Instagram for a while now, and her tees, tops, and pouches give you the freedom to choose based on design and price point too.
For the hygge lover
If your mum loves to bring the garden inside, eat breakfast by candlelight, or simple feel a little more connected to nature, she’ll love this hand-poured cedar and pine scented soy candle from Hopscotch. I love the minimalist design of Hopscotch’s candles too, making them a good fit for any home.
For the new mother
For the new mums in your life, now’s a great time to gift them a sweet little something too. For that, look no further than Cocoon & Butterfly. Their ethically-sourced blankets are dyed with avocado stones and hand-sewn to make a long-lasting blanket both mother and baby will love.
For the crafty one
The Rehatchery is a great Etsy shop for eco-friendly arts and crafts – they stock paper, tags, and even upcycled ornaments. I’d recommend using them for both decorating for mother’s day, as well as gift-giving!
For the tea drinker
I love a cup of tea. I’ve said it before; I think it’s the very British answer to meditation. Give me five minutes with a mug of herbal tea and I feel so much more relaxed – which is why Cornish stoneware mug will be a cherished gift as soon as it’s received. Laura Lane’s ceramics are handmade in England, and for a more colourful twist on the original, there’s Cornish striped mug too!
For the jewellery coveter
As my ethical jewellery guide covered earlier in the year, I love pieces that have both a personal story, and a positive story to tell too. These geometric silver heart earrings from Hummingbird Hawkmoth provide just that; ethically-made from certified eco-silver and wrapped in recycled packaging, they’ll remind your mum of you every time she wears them.
