Shop Small, Give Big: The Ultimate Mother's Day Gift Guide"

Mother's Day is a special day to honor the incredible women in our lives who have nurtured, supported, and loved us unconditionally. It's an opportunity to show our appreciation and gratitude for everything they do for us. This year, why not celebrate Mother's Day by supporting small businesses and giving back to the community? Shopping small is not only a great way to find unique and meaningful gifts, but it also helps to support local businesses and strengthen our economy. In this ultimate Mother's Day gift guide, we have curated a list of amazing small businesses and unique gift ideas that will make your mom feel special and loved.

Why Shop Small?

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they play a vital role in our communities. By supporting small businesses, you're not only helping to keep their doors open, but you're also supporting local jobs and boosting the local economy. In addition, small businesses offer unique products and services that you won't find in big-box stores, making for a more personalized shopping experience.

The convenience of ordering online makes it especially easy to find that perfect gift, just let your finger do the clicking!  Just be sure to allow ample time for shipping. ;)

Personalized Thoughtful Gifts

Nothing says "I love you" like a gift that was given thoughtful care and consideration.  At least that’s what I always told my children - you know, “it’s the thought that counts”. And when it comes to small businesses and creative entrepreneurs, the amazing ideas are endless.   Many of them carefully select their materials and are made locally with sustainable eco-friendly ingredients.  With so many options, I’ve listed my top 11 favorites to give you a running start.  From custom jewelry to bath & body products, there's something for every mom, and any of them are sure to make mom feel special and loved.

Jewelry with Purpose - “Monarca Eco-friendly Jewelry”

Talk about unique and one-of-a-kind.  Monarca Shop makes the most beautiful handmade jewelry out of ethically sourced butterfly wings and pressed flowers.  They have also built a strong only-women, hard-working team, and given dignifying employment to single mothers, who became its skilled artisans and sellers.  They have an amazing story, beautifully crafted jewelry, and a purpose that any Mom would be proud to support.  Click here to learn more about their story.

Find them here to shop:  https://www.monarcashop.ca/ 

Natural Skincare Products - “Strength X Beauty”

Treat your mom to some natural and organic skincare products by Strength x Beauty. Their clean, mostly plant-based hair and body care brand is made by women, for women. Created by a hairstylist with a passion for clean, high quality beauty products they’ve created a line of hair care and beauty products that are healthy and safe for both you and our planet. 

They source only clean, quality ingredients. They offer organic, gluten-free and vegan options and all of their products are 100% cruelty-free. 'Clean' means they're also completely free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates and all of the  many other unhealthy ingredients we don't want on your body.

Using natural skin and hair care products can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Giving your mother a gift that encourages her to take some time for self-care is a great way to show your love and appreciation.  They are gentle, eco-friendly, personalized, and relaxing, and they allow you to show your mother how much you care about her well-being.

Find them here to shop:  https://www.strengthxbeauty.com/

Handmade Soaps - “Splash Soapworks”

Handmade soaps are a luxurious and indulgent gift that your mom will love. Katrina from Splash Soapworks hand makes beautiful soaps from only natural ingredients.  Inspired by her own sensitive skin (and then her babies), she set out to make soap that would actually benefit skin.  And, not only luxurious - her creations are amazing works of art!  She has other products and gifts sets available so she is definitely worth checking out.

Find them here to shop:  https://www.facebook.com/SplashSoapworks

Spa Box Gift Set - “Dark Horse Handcrafted”

Give mom the gift of relaxation with an at home spa day.  A great way to have some quiet time at home is to have a luxurious bath, maybe with a glass of wine, with no interruptions allowed. Check out the ‘Ultimate Spa Box’ at Dark Horse Handcrafted which includes a luxury bath soak, a personalized wine tumbler and a wood wick candle.  A great combination for some well deserved ‘me’ time that most moms don’t get enough of. Mom will feel pampered and rejuvenated and is a win, win for everybody.

Shop the box here:  https://darkhorsehandcrafted.com/collections/bundles-gift-sets/products/the-ultimate-personalized-spa-box

Unique Apparel - “Sleeves in a Bag”

Yep, you read that right.  It falls in the category of ‘you didn’t know you needed this’, and would be a terrific gift for Mom.  Explained as “A unique shrug that fits into a small bag that you can take with you wherever you go” sleeves in a bag are exactly that…sleeves in a bag.  A perfect idea for times when it’s a little cool, or you need some protection from the sun.  Made from sustainably sourced material and incredibly soft, this might be just what Mom could use.

Find them here to shop:  https://sleevesinabag.com/

Home Decor - “Jennifer Squires  Productions”

Beautiful soothing photography by Jennifer Squires is perfect for the Mom who appreciates the calmness of peaceful spaces.  From mountains to beaches, Jennifer’s inspiring photographs are the perfect adornment to slow life down and melt your soul.

Shop her beautiful art here:  https://www.jennifersquires.ca/

Natural Cleaners - “Mama Suds”

Now hear me out…I normally wouldn’t add ‘cleaners’ to my gift guide, but these products were designed by moms, for moms.  Designed for people who want to create a safe and clean home for the people they love by using simple, non-toxic, and eco-friendly products.

From surface cleaners to laundry soap, it’s guilt free cleaning that you know will be safe for the family. So, if you’re mom falls into this category - then this might be just the right gift.

Find them here to shop:  https://www.mamasuds.com/

Quiet time with a good book - “Romance Book & Chill”

Who doesn’t like an escape from the everyday, especially busy moms.  Sometimes there’s nothing quite like the feel of the turn of the page, curled up (maybe with a comfy blanket) and a beverage of choice.  “Romance Book & Chill” is a monthly subscription box that, along with a selected romance novel, includes a curated selection of bookish goodies.  

Now couldn’t we all use a little more romance??  Oh, just me?.... Check them out!

Get your swoon on here:  https://romancebookandchill.com/

Sustainable Women’s Wear - “Ang Hill”

Give the gift of sustainably produced, buttery soft women’s wear.  At Ang Hill, Angie’s designs are handmade locally using amazing fabrics like Bamboo terry, bamboo jersey knit, tencel and cotton.  Beautiful pieces for all sizes, some with matching ‘mini me’s’ to complete the look.  If you’re not sure of Mom’s style, gift cards are available. 

Find them here to shop:  https://www.anghill.com/

All things Lips - “Bad Beez”

My mom loved her lipstick, she never left the house with her lips ‘naked’.  Lipstick, or lip gloss, is such an easy way for a busy Mom to add at least a little touch of sparkle to her everyday.  From running the kiddos around to hot nights out, Bad Beez has shades abound for all women.

Did I mention that their ingredients are cruelty free and packed with other beneficial components like moisturizers and collagen?  If your mom would like to add a little color to her life, this might be the perfect gift.

Find all the shades here:  https://badbeez.com/

Chocolate (but not just any chocolate) - “Yummalicious Chocolates”

We cannot go without adding chocolate to the list, but it doesn’t have to be your typical department store chocolate.  How about handmade, extremely delicious, chocolate covered pretzels for a new twist (see what I did there?) on an old favorite. Jennifer at Yummalicious blew up the college dorms with her yummy treats, so much so, that they were in huge demand.  She now has amazing gift boxes for all occasions - and you’re sure to find something AMAZING for mom.  With any luck, maybe mom’s the sharing type…

Shop chocolate here:  https://yummaliciouschocolates.com/

Wrap it all up

Mother's Day is a special occasion that calls for a special gift. By shopping small, you can find unique and meaningful gifts that will make your mom feel loved and appreciated. And with so many e-commerce stores online today, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home.  There are so many unique gift ideas, made possible by brilliant entrepreneurs that have some amazing creative ideas. So, let's make this Mother's Day extra special by giving back to our community and supporting small businesses.

FAQs

• What are the benefits of shopping at a small business for Mother's Day?

Shopping at a small business for Mother's Day not only supports the local economy and local jobs, but it also offers unique, personalized gifts that you won't find in big-box stores. By shopping small, you're also contributing to a sense of community and helping to preserve local traditions and culture.

• How can I find small businesses in my area?

A great way to find small businesses in your area is to search online or use social media. You can also check with your local Chamber of Commerce or Small Business Association to find a list of small businesses in your area. Additionally, visiting local farmer's markets, craft fairs, and artisan markets is a great way to discover new small businesses.

• Are small businesses more expensive than big-box stores?

Not necessarily. While some small businesses may charge more for their products, many offer competitive prices and special deals for loyal customers. Plus, by shopping at a small business, you're often getting a higher quality product or service than you would find in a big-box store.

• How can I support small businesses beyond Mother's Day?

Supporting small businesses is important all year round! You can continue to shop at local businesses for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. Additionally, consider leaving positive reviews online, sharing small businesses on social media, and referring your friends and family to your favorite small businesses.

• What if I can't find the perfect gift at a small business?

If you can't find exactly what you're looking for at a small business, consider reaching out to the business owner directly. Many small businesses offer custom orders and personalized services to meet the unique needs of their customers. You can also consider combining small business purchases with items from larger retailers to create the perfect gift.