Are you still searching for that perfect gift for Mom for her special day? Or maybe you've just begun your search.. oops! The typical big-box store Mother's Day gift package usually includes a plastic wrapped box of chocolates, a tube of artificially scented bubble bath, and a polyester teddy bear wearing an "I <3 Mom" t-shirt. While it is a thoughtful gesture, these mass-produced, over-packaged items will inevitably wind up in a landfill in the near future. Why not reduce your negative impact on the environment (while avoiding the long checkout lines) and treat Mom to one of these eco-friendly dates instead! (Be sure to check out the list at the bottom of the article for recommended local shops & eateries!)
1. Make a DIY butterfly feeder
Crafting together can be a great way to bond with Mom, and besides, who wouldn't want to attract butterflies to their garden? Ontario is home to a plethora of beautiful butterflies, such as the flamboyant Question Mark Butterfly pictured below, who are always traveling in search of food. Help give them an energy boost, and spend some quality time with Mom crafting one of these sweet butterfly feeders: 14 DIY Butterfly Feeders.
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| Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis) |
2. Try a vegan restaurant or recipe
It's no secret that agriculture is one of the largest contributors to climate change. By consuming less meat and switching to a more plant-based diet, you can help lessen the impact that livestock farming has on the environment. A common misconception about vegan food is that it's boring and tasteless, but there is a wide variety of recipes out there sure to please even the most avid carnivore! Besides the eco-friendly reasons to choose vegan food, trying something new is just plain fun! Take Mom out to try local vegan cuisine, or have a night in and try a recipe at home like this delicious looking one from Vegan Heaven Vegan Heaven's Cauliflower Tacos. (See bottom of article for restaurant recommendations in the Barrie area!)
3. Clean up a park
Cleaning may not sound like the ideal Mother's Day activity, but getting out in nature and doing your part to help keep the environment clean is an incredibly rewarding experience especially when shared with loved ones. Seek out a local park, conservation area, or wetland that's in need of tidying, pack a picnic basket full of Mom's favourite food and make an afternoon of it!
4. Hit the trails
Whether on foot or biking, getting out and experiencing nature is a great way to spend time with Mom! Unplug from all the distractions that modern civilization weighs us down with, and enjoy some one-on-one time taking in the sights, sounds & smells of the forest. To ensure a memorable experience, head out for an early morning hike/ride to be serenaded by a symphony of birds while enjoying the sunrise.
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| Spending time in nature is beneficial to both physical & mental health |
5. Visit local garden centres
Strolling through a garden centre is a surefire way to bring a smile to anyone's face. Greenery, flowers blossoming, birds chirping.. what more could anyone ask for? Take a tour of one (or several) local garden centres and treat Mom to some native plants for her yard. Not only is this a fun way to spend the day, it's a great way to support local business!
6. Stargaze
Looking for an after-hours activity to do with Mom? Give stargazing a shot! Get away from all the light pollution and just focus on the night-time sky. Don't worry if you have no idea what you're looking at.. there's an app for that! SkyView is an app that allows you to point your phone's camera toward the sky, and it will identify the stars, planets, and constellations that you see!
7. Watch the birds!
Who needs a spa? Listening to the sounds, and observing the behaviour of birds can be a relaxing and peaceful experience. Gift Mom a new bird feeder such as the popular WBU Dinner Bell paired with one of our long-lasting Seed Cylinders, kick back and see who comes to visit! Planning a trip to a local birding hotspot can be a great option for those who are seeking a little more adventure this Mother's Day. Some wildlife-rich areas to consider include: Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area, Minesing Wetlands, and Tiffin Centre for Conservation.
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| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) & Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens) eating a WBU Safflower Seed Cylinder in a WBU Dinner Bell feeder |
Happy Mother's Day from the staff at Wild Birds Unlimited Barrie!
- Shayna
Gifts for Mom:
Shiny Soul Creations: This shop makes beautiful jewelery! They are handmade locally and you can shop by intentions you want to cultivate (confidence, calming, healing grounding etc). The pieces are beautiful!
Two Sisters Naturals: All natural products that are handmade from organic plant based ingredients so you can feel good about putting all their products on your body and in your home!
Gold Stitch Studio: Sells Madame Babu handmade kimonos and accessories. Nothing like a truly unique, one of a kind, handmade clothing item to make moms feel great. Shop online at: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/madamebabu ; found on Instagram as: @madamebabu and @goldstitchstudio ; you can use a code when buying for free pickup from the store or just drop in and pick something out yourself, the store owner Britt is a sweetheart!
Ann Green Yoga and Studio B are both yoga studios that are independently owned by locals. A class pass is a great idea for mom!
Places to Eat:
Lazy Tulip Café: A local run and independently owned café, that offers great vegetarian and vegan options and focuses on conscious eating. They are hosting a Mother's Day Brunch!
The Vegan Pantry: The BEST spot in town for vegan baked goods and awesome lunch features. Everything that they make is vegan, refined sugar free, soy free, and gluten free. Great for vegan cuisine options and those with food allergies! They make amazing baked goods of all kinds as well as pizzas, panzerottis, cauliflowers wings, and much more.
Vidya’s Veggie Gourmet: An amazing all vegan restaurant in Thorton (just outside of Barrie) that serves all organic dishes influenced from countries around the world!
Ripe Juicery: Serves up amazing juices (could even get Mom a cleanse!), as well as great lunches , plus a weekend brunch! It is all 100% plant based and locally sourced – they even donate the pulp from their juices to local animal sanctuaries to feed the animals and avoid waste!
Special thanks to our very own, Heather, for the great recommendations!
Gifts for Mom:
Shiny Soul Creations: This shop makes beautiful jewelery! They are handmade locally and you can shop by intentions you want to cultivate (confidence, calming, healing grounding etc). The pieces are beautiful!
Two Sisters Naturals: All natural products that are handmade from organic plant based ingredients so you can feel good about putting all their products on your body and in your home!
Gold Stitch Studio: Sells Madame Babu handmade kimonos and accessories. Nothing like a truly unique, one of a kind, handmade clothing item to make moms feel great. Shop online at: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/madamebabu ; found on Instagram as: @madamebabu and @goldstitchstudio ; you can use a code when buying for free pickup from the store or just drop in and pick something out yourself, the store owner Britt is a sweetheart!
Ann Green Yoga and Studio B are both yoga studios that are independently owned by locals. A class pass is a great idea for mom!
Places to Eat:
Lazy Tulip Café: A local run and independently owned café, that offers great vegetarian and vegan options and focuses on conscious eating. They are hosting a Mother's Day Brunch!
The Vegan Pantry: The BEST spot in town for vegan baked goods and awesome lunch features. Everything that they make is vegan, refined sugar free, soy free, and gluten free. Great for vegan cuisine options and those with food allergies! They make amazing baked goods of all kinds as well as pizzas, panzerottis, cauliflowers wings, and much more.
Vidya’s Veggie Gourmet: An amazing all vegan restaurant in Thorton (just outside of Barrie) that serves all organic dishes influenced from countries around the world!
Ripe Juicery: Serves up amazing juices (could even get Mom a cleanse!), as well as great lunches , plus a weekend brunch! It is all 100% plant based and locally sourced – they even donate the pulp from their juices to local animal sanctuaries to feed the animals and avoid waste!
Special thanks to our very own, Heather, for the great recommendations!
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