Father's Day, or Mother's Day?
Submitted by Live Earth on 5 June, 2008 - 19:20
Both of these holidays are a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the parents (and grandparents) in your life. Tell us about the recycled materials craft project you're working on for your Mom, or the special breakfast you'll be cooking for her using organic, local ingredients. Some of you may be looking for green gifts; we'd love to hear your suggestions for those, too. (If you are thinking of getting Dad or Mom chocolate or flowers, we covered green options for those gifts in our recent Valentine's Day post). What are you planning for Father's Day? Here are some Dad-specific ideas (scroll down for Mom!): Men in general are hard to shop for but Dads have a degree of difficulty all their own. Grown men basically get for themselves what they really want, with the possible exception of what they can’t afford, which probably means that we can’t afford it either. So let’s go back to what we do know, back to what we were reminded of with Mom – the thing that most parents generally want from their kids is TIME. So here are some fun, low-carbon producing activities to do with Dad.
- Hike/Bike
- Play catch/tennis/hoops
- Test drive hybrid or alternative fuel cars
- Hit balls at a batting cage
- Kayak/inter-tube/boogie board
- Go to the local nursery
- Spend the day at the park/beach/mountains
- Plant a Tree
- Watch movies or sports and drink organic beer
- Play chess/checkers/dominos/cards
- Do the Sunday crossword puzzle - recycle the paper!
- Get a shave at an old-style barber shop
- Make him breakfast in bed
- BBQ veggie buffalo burgers
- Talk, but not too much, during all of these things
Something else that might, at first, not sound like that much fun but might actually mean a whole lot to him (and Mom!) would be to help with those unfinished chores/projects/home improvements he’s been meaning to get to for the last year (or three.) Some ideas might be:
- Replace old light bulbs with new energy savers
- Clean out the garage/closet/basement and give to Good Will
- Make repairs around the house
- Install shelves
- Organize the home office
- Build a deck with FSC wood or reclaimed materials
- Plant flowers/trees
- Weed Whack and compost!
If your dad isn’t as active as some, or you just really want to get him a gift, here are some eco-friendly alternatives to plunking down cash for a brand new thing he probably doesn’t need or want.
- A homemade card
- Carbon offsets
- Donation to his favorite charity
- Solar Battery charger – be sure to get him re-chargeable batteries
- Sigg reusable water bottle
- Organic/Fair Trade coffee
- Organic wine or beer (see our St. Patrick’s Day entry for ideas here)
- Bamboo or organic cotton polo shirt
- iTunes Gift Certificate
- Pie
Whatever you do, remember that this is just an "official" excuse to spend time together so keep it light, have fun and know that even if he doesn’t fully appreciate the green part, he will fully appreciate being with you! Here's the best Mother's Day advice we've heard in a long time (and it will work for Dad too!): Mother’s Day, is of course an official day when you get to thank Mom for all that she does for you. But every year, it’s the same dilemma - what do you get for the woman who brought you into this world? Flowers, candy, jewelry? You don’t want to overdo it but the smaller stuff never really seems quite right. My mother always says, "The last thing I need is another tchotchke." Well, she’s right. Which reminds me of a little movie I saw a while back called The Story of Stuff. In it, Annie Leonard, who appears to be the eco version of Nancy Drew, uses cute cartoons to illustrate all of the socially and environmentally devastating details involved in the chain of events that support our consumer driven lives. It tells the real story behind the things we buy, from conception to landfill and once you know how much energy, water, fossil fuel, waste and human capital is involved in making one product, you might think twice before heading out to the mall to get one more "thing" for mom; one more thing that will end up in a landfill not too far from her hometown in an average of six months. Besides, the real truth about what most moms want for Mother’s Day is simple: They want…
TIME WITH YOU
So we’ve come up with some nifty ideas that will make you, Mom and the planet happy this Mother’s Day. Some moms are active and some are less so but there is always something you can do together that is easy, fun and leaves a small Mom Shoe of a footprint behind for her grandkids to clean up. Make Eco Crafts Really cool things can be made out of stuff you were going to get rid of anyway. How about taking your light switch plate off the wall and recovering it in fabric from one of dad’s discarded ties? Or give an old top a new look, just by changing the sleeves or the neckline? You can find some fun ideas and easy instructions at http://www.eco-artware.com/crafts/archive.php Make a Vision Board Not only is this a super fun art project, it’s also a personal exercise in defining and putting images to all the good things you want in your life. All you need is a large piece of cardboard, glue sticks, scissors and all the old magazines you can get your hands on. Cut out any and all images that speak to you and paste them on the board in a way that makes you smile. Let the universe see your desires in color pictures and then watch your dreams come true! And don’t forget to put the unused magazines in the recycle bin! See Local Live Theatre Attend a play, musical, dance or comedy show playing at a theater near you. Most theaters have Sunday matinees so you can really make a day out of it. Whether it’s Shakespeare or children’s theater, going to a live performance is always fun and energizing. Spend time with Mom, support you local community and enjoy the show! Go To The Farmer’s Market There’s nothing quite like heading out into the fresh morning air to walk up and down the rows of fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers and homemade goodies at your local farmer’s market. Not only are you and Mom sure to find something delicious and locally grown, you might be pleasantly surprised to find something missing from most people’s daily lives: Community!!! Talk to a stranger about organic farming, ask someone about how honey is made, or just enjoy the time together, there’s so much to see and discuss! Find your local farmer's market here at http://www.localharvest.org/. Homemade lunch/picnic Make a delicious lunch using local, organic ingredients and pack a picnic to take to your favorite local park, meadow or even your backyard. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you might spread your festive blanket on the living room floor and have an indoor picnic. You could even put on you favorite movie and call it The Non-Driving Drive In Picture Show. Other fun, eco Mother’s Day activities: Hiking Biking Leisurely Strolls Organic Baking Party Visit a Public Garden Make Soy Candles Antique Store Shopping Of course, Mom will love you the most if you give the gift that keeps on giving. Pick one of these green activities every month as a way to spend time together throughout the year. Even if it’s as simple as a walk, she will appreciate it. And so will you! If you really feel the need to give her some "thing," consider a homemade card, craft item or you could even write her a poem or short story! There’s so much you can do, it’s really up to you and Mom. Either way, you’ll both have Green Mother’s Day fun and Mom will feel like the special person she truly is!
not sure
not sure
My mother recently moved into
My mother recently moved into a retirement
home and has the middle to the top of a tree right off her balcony. All sorts of birds show up. Sooo we went to our locally owned book store and picked up a bird book. Then paid a visit to our locally owned hardware store for a lightweight pair of binoculars so she may bring her new friends a little closer.
happy moms day
Your ideas were all great! I
Your ideas were all great! I spent time the day before mother's day delivering homemade cards from my 3 youngest kids (ages:6,6, & 8) and letters from myself (all using recycled materials) to my mother, sisters and grandmother while doing errands. It rained the entire day here. My kids and I mixed up the day and used leftovers from the day before for breakfast and cereal for lunch. Then, since it had gotten cold, we had bacon, V-8 juice and sweet potatoes for supper. In between, they helped me clean up some things I haven't had time to get to and then played while the special no-dairy "chocolate chip/peanut butter" cookies baked. A wonderful day was had doing things to gether. It really is best to spend time with the kids.
My mother-in-law died when my oldest daughter (now 21) was just 6 of cancer. I remember best the times we spent with just the two of us: talking, playing skip-bo and drinking tea or soda. We would look at the lake while everyone else was out "playing" on the water and she seemed happy then. It is one of my best memories of her.
Ya'll remember to call or write at least once a month about little everyday things you think are boring and your mother will be grateful to know some of your life: even if it's only about the houseplants you keep killing or the cats that keep leaving pawprints on your car. Little things mean more than you know now. You'll find out later what I mean.
A manifesto to the Mother of
A manifesto to the Mother of all times,Mother earth,Gaia.
The earth was born out of cosmos, it is one of many planets in the universe.An extraordinary and beautiful celestial body swooning amongst twinkling stars and an ever expanding galaxy, the Milky Way.
Our planet is unique in that it sustains life.It's a living organism, an ecosystem from which plants,animals and humans have evolved. We grew out of the earth's womb, the earth is the Mother of Life and we are her children. Sun, moon and stars are our ancestors.
In the beginning every organism was independent but eventually started to cooperate and live together. Cells developed into living entities, each cell being a litle world on it's own. Likewise, the body became like a whole universe with it's own world and galaxies.
EVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED AND A PERFECTION OF THE WHOLE.
The human being belongs to the cosmic body and the universe resides within us. Our energy-flow and cycles are influenced by the sun and the moon. We are indeed part of a greater unity.
There is no inside or outside. What occurs in the world is reflected within us.
The survival-needs for Mother Earth are the same as ours. When we cause her harm we also inflict it upon ourselves.Our body is part of the earth's body. We breathe together and whatever we discharge into the environment remains with us.
We really don't have anywhere else to go.
ALL IS ONE.
The world is our home and this is where we belong.
As Chief Seattle said:" We are not the masters of this world, we did not weave the web of life, we are merely part of it."
Kerstin Unger-Salen
Many thanks for the ideas!
Many thanks for the ideas!
I just thought I'd share what
I just thought I'd share what I'm doing for my mother for mother's day. She is deaf and is 90 yrs old and can't get out without help. I live 1000 miles away. So this Mother's Day I got an email service for her where she faxes emails to me and her grandchildren and they email her back. To reduce the paper use I've taught her how to use both sides of the paper. If she keeps these pages there will be a wonderful trail of communication between her and the family. I'm hoping it creates lots of memories for us all. She gets so little mail because people don't write letters much any more.
And I'm working with Greenpeace to hold a Mommy March on May 11the to protest the war and global warming. I'm trying to get lots of people to come for an hour and record a voice message to Congress on the issue.
Great suggestions! My mother
Great suggestions! My mother instilled a strong environmental ethic in me at an early age. Mother's Day is an excellent moment to demonstrate to her that I apply the lessons she gave me 30 years ago.
HAPPINESS IN THE DAY OF THE
HAPPINESS IN THE DAY OF THE MOTHERS, SHIPMENT A KISS AND A HUG TO MY MADRE MIRIAM MEJIA THAT LIVES IN THE CIUDAD DE BOSTON AND THAT it has ALWAYS BEEN A PROTECTOR OF THE FIELD AND THE ATMOSPHERE. -
2: THEIR SON WRITES HIM FROM SACRED SUNDAY, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: mmercedesm@hotmail. com
happy mother's day to all
happy mother's day to all mums..and go green..that's what mum alwayz want us to be..create our green world again..starting by today..love you all...
This will be my first
This will be my first Mother's Day without the physical presence of my amazing and inspiring mother. Since she was always in my corner, I am thinking a good way to honor her is to do something for myself she encouraged me to do--and I never quite got around to doing. (As in fulfilling a bit more of my creative potential).
One way to nurture mothers (who need mothering as well) is to share the book, Grandmothers Counsel the World about the Thirteen Indigenous grandmothers who are working to circle the globe with environmental and social justice. I'll bet you can't read it through without being moved to tears.
My blog has a portrait of an event the Willamette Valley Grandmothers Council (in my Oregon USA neighborhood) sponsored in which one of these women, Takelma-Siletz elder "Grandma Aggie", blessed the water of our local river: http://holdenma.wordpress.com/.
Happy Mother's Day to all of you: together we can herald in a world in which nurturance is finally linked with power and vice versa,
Love,
Madronna
I live too far away to visit
I live too far away to visit my mom this mother's day, but a few days ago we were talking and she mentioned how she would like to improve the view from her kitchen window. A few years ago the outer road for the interstate was extended and a new exit ramp installed near my grandparents house, which my parents now live in. The view out their back yard and kitchen window is of a gas station and they have very few trees in the back, so I went to the Arbor Day Foundation site and ordered some flowering trees. It will improve the view and will help remove CO2 from the environment. I selected trees I know my parents love including one I remember being in the back yard of the house I grew up in. I also warned my dad that he is going to have some digging to do!
Thanks. Can you give us idea
Thanks. Can you give us idea for a Green Highschool Graduation Celebration. Thanks. Paty
Hola: Primero que
Hola:
Primero que nada,
¡Felicidades por su labor!
Quisiera agregar esta aportación al día de las madres, a mi pagina web, pues colaboraría a bajar los consumos inconscientes.
¿Puedo hacerlo?
Atentamente:
Itta.
Our children future depend at
Our children future depend at risk. Act now!
Father's Day
Father's Day
I am a mom of two, ages 25
I am a mom of two, ages 25 and 24. All I ever want for Mother's Day or any holiday is time with my "kids" and that's all most of my mom friends want as well. Just time - to talk, to walk in nature, to be together in spirit. No money spent, no gifts except the gift of time which ultimately, at the end of our lives, we all realize is the greatest gift of all.
Great suggestions. We had
Great suggestions. We had already planned a picnic and a hike at our area's newest hiking trail. Love the eco-craft ideas.
We have an organic farm where
We have an organic farm where we grow fruit, vegetables, pumpkins, sunflowers and gourds and raise free-range chickens for their eggs. This year, I made my mom a jewelry box from one of the gourds.
thanks for having this
thanks for having this website it helps me a lot
Love the ideas. For my
Love the ideas. For my mother, I am planting a small garden around her mailbox using old bricks that have been here since we moved in 31 years ago. I have wonderful organic mulch I have made and the plants I started from seeds I harvested from last year. I also am mowing our lawn with my new rotary mower we bought. Not an easy thing with the large amount of grass.
Happy Mother's Day! I love my
Happy Mother's Day!
I love my mum <3
:D
Fixing her breakfast at our
Fixing her breakfast at our home is a great idea considering we shop organic no matter what. A few months ago 4 hens came into our city dwelling lives. Now we have our own eggs.... actually the chickens was the idea of our 10 year old daughter. So the mom of the house built the hen house and with the help of her 21 year old son built the pen to keep the critters away.
Me the Dad cheered them on. Women can do most anything a man can do! The hens are cute and funny not to mention are good at keeping the fallow garden space aereated.
Write your mom a poem or
Write your mom a poem or letter recalling all she's done for you. Tease her a little--I will never live down the lentil loaf I foisted off I my daughter, and now it's a family joke--but offer sincere compliments.
Put the poem/letter in a basket of organic consumables like chocolate and organic fruit, and maybe a bottle of wine. (Recyle the bottle.)
I give the gift that keeps on
I give the gift that keeps on giving.... Spring is the perfect time to plant an organic veggie garden... and I do it every year... It gives us(my elderly mom and me)a chance to spend some quality time tending to the garden and cooking something we grew.
Plus it keeps going and growing... We change the crop for the cooler months too!
My mother is in a nursing
My mother is in a nursing home and is at this point moderately affected by Alzhiemers. Thinking about WHAT would be a loving and very appropriate gift to give her this Mothers Day I decided to give her a massage. Seniors love gentle touch and getting a massage seems to be a perfect way of giving love and leaving a lasting calmness and loving feeling with that very person who gave you life. Doing the massage yourself is a wonderful idea (because it's loving time spent with her) but if that isn't possible for whatever reason having a massage therapist is great, too!
I really think the Farmer's
I really think the Farmer's Market idea is great! What better way to support our ecosystem than by investing in it!
My Mum and I celebrated
My Mum and I celebrated Mother's Day early this year by spending a week together on a Habitat for Humanity project.
It was rewarding for obvious reasons and was a great shared Mother/Daughter experience that is sure to last a lifetime in our memories.
Bienvenida sea la mamá
Bienvenida sea la mamá ecologista y que respeta el medio ambiente feliz día de la madre ecológica.
We live in the California Bay
We live in the California Bay area. Taking a walk around Muir Woods (giant redwood trees) and then eating breakfast or lunch at the Cliff House restaurant (overlooks the ocean) is a not too physical option. Also, Stern Grove has free concerts starting in June, one listens to the music in a natural amphitheatre (trees) and has a picnic there, read the Sunday paper, etc.
Happy Mothers day
Happy Mothers day everyone!
Greetz!
Bas Booister from The Netherlands
Thanks for the information
Thanks for the information about mother day. I love my mother. I pass my hearth full regards to all mothers in all of the world.
thanks a lot... :)
thanks a lot... :)
I making film about my mon's
I making film about my mon's documantary before 6years ago.
It is very fun and fantastic work in my life.
my mon was 72 year old.
she have warm mind .and she have painting oil paint from 60years old.
she recover herself skill oil painter.
I took potograper about mon docu with my daughter.
everyone can be documantalist.
Would you send me your mon's photo.
then I will make your mon docu.
Thanks! "Mother Earth" For
Thanks! "Mother Earth" For this beautiful world you gave me in wich I grew up in between my kids and family.
Para las Madres de habla Hispana: "Les deseo que compartan conmigo un vaso de Agua clara, pura y llena de esperanza por un mundo mejor, +verde, + sano, + armonioso, lleno de diversidad de formas, colores y texturas vivas, con risas, trinos, voces de un sin fin de animales y las carcajadas de las cascadas y ríos y de las olas del mar"
Be happy! ¡Sean Dichosos!
Feliz día de la Pangea "Nuestra Abuela Tierra"
Sinceramente Tzasná Martínez
Happy happy mother's
Happy happy mother's day's-----------
I love mama
T E ADORO MAMI K T LAS PASES
MUY BIEN
Hey! Check out
Hey! Check out www.tree2mydoor.com for UK Fathers Day trees as gifts.
Hi when the concert was
Hi when the concert was happing and soon after you could download your favorite songs and I did but due to a computer malfunction I lost everthing and went I went back to see if I could save these again they were nolonger avaiable now you had to purchase a cd.
I have father and mother. I
I have father and mother. I love my mother and father.and they are love me.
I am happy.
tenemos que amar a nuestra
tenemos que amar a nuestra tierra
felis dia de la madre tierra
felis dia de la madre tierra
thanks, i loved the
thanks, i loved the mensage...
i think that all people are mothers of anything...
soo, happy mothers day for we
I wish I would have seen your
I wish I would have seen your post sooner because our company, Sound Visions Media, produced a compilation CD called "From A Mother's Heart" of original songs about mothers and mother earth this year. What made it earth friendly was that it was all digital download only... no physical product. The CD cover and info were pdfs so if someone really wanted to print out the cover to give as a gift they could but we didn't want to waste more paper! We even insisted that the reviewers and radio stations accept it the same way to get them to think differently. Not only that we supported, through one of the songs, a group who are trying to save Chaco Canyon in New Mexico and we gave some proceeds to www.momsrising.org, an organization that supports mothers and family initiatives.
We plan on doing it again and would appreciate any suggestions on finding sponsors for the project so we can really get the word out.
The songs are beautiful, sensitive messages to our mothers with and without lyrics. The project was a brain child of Ellen Johnson who runs Sound Visions Media and who had written a heartwarming ballad for her own mother and every time she performed it people asked for more songs about mothers.
Please check it out and add us to your list of companies that are trying to support an eco-friendly environment.
And thanks to all you are doing to build more awareness in the world!
thank you!
thank you!
My mother died at age 91 8
My mother died at age 91 8 years ago - but the most precious times we shared as she grew older were to walk on the beach at a place called Shorncliffe near our home - we did it in the evenings and in summer we had a picnic evening meal on the beach before we came home - this was a most precious time to share her wisdom with her. I hope others can have similar experiences. The memories of these times are more precious than all the material gifts we shared through the years - nothing can replace what is essentially beyond adequate expression.
Rosemary Grundy
Queensland
Australia
if you can't be with your mom
if you can't be with your mom or friends who are moms, sending flowers is always nice.
take some time (and spend a little long distance) to track down flower shops that are really close to your loved ones. you'll save on fees, be able to buy more flowers and maybe, if they're close enough, they can be walked over!
Visit a museum, or give your
Visit a museum, or give your mother a membership to a museum, a gift that will keep giving pleasure year round. A visit to the 'Glass Flowers' at the Harvard Museum of Natural History is always a favorite for my mother. Or plant vegetable seeds that will produce local vegetables in months to come!
mothers day in UK was in
mothers day in UK was in March!!!
i´m from mexico, i just wanna
i´m from mexico, i just wanna say that this ideas help me a lot
thanks :)
My relationship with my mom
My relationship with my mom was difficult when I was growing up. For the past 8 years, she has needed someone to help her. One of nine kids, I stepped up to the plate. Now, I am having the best time, getting all of her attention as well as her loving expression of graditude for what I do for her. I am rewriting my childhood when I visit her at a retirement place and now at the nursing home. Mother's Day, my two grown kids will be fixing breakfast for Grandma, Mother-in-laws and me. Got to love that....
My mom is 76 now and in
My mom is 76 now and in excellent health, but she and my dad got divorced (after 49 years of marriage!!!) and she always said that the thing she missed the most was her garden. So, about 5 years ago, I went to the local nursery, picked up a couple of flats of annuals a few perennials and a small shrub and planted them at her apartment complex in front of her apartment. (I checked with the apartment management first, of course)Each year I add to the perennials and cut back on the annuals. 2 years ago I added 2 windowboxes for her steps, one with vegetables and herbs and the other with flowers and vines to grow up her railings. This year I'm switching the windowboxes for self-watering ones so that both she and the plants will be happier. I'm also getting her a "Y" connector with a quick-connect adapter and a coil hose to attach to the spigot which is located by her outdoor steps. Now she won't have to lug gallons of water down a flight of stairs every week. And the maintenance people can still use the spigot and she can store the hose inside her apt. at the base of her stairs. So, it's good for mom, it beautifies the apartment complex and, since I specialize in butterfly and bird friendly annuals and perennials, it's good for Mother Nature, too. Oh, and I'm getting a tree, as usual, for Mother's Day. This year it's a red buckeye (good for hummingbirds). Last year was a hawthorne (good for all birds). The year before was a bird cherry (good for birds and certain caterpillars, especially the tiger swallowtails). Good for me, good for them, good for the planet.