Shopping For Mom In Westchester, Helping The Earth

Fruit of the Vine

Sulfates give her headaches? No worries with organic wines—plus, there aren’t any pesky chemicals in them. And you won’t need to break the bank, as so many organic vineyards have come out with reasonably priced sparkling wines. Find a worthy selection at Wine Geeks Armonk and River View Wines & Spirits in Tarrytown.

Artisanal Chocolate

Westchester Magazine food writer Julia Sexton swears by Mast Brothers Chocolate, the cacao of which is sourced from small farms in Belize, the Dominican Republic, Madagascar, and Papua New Guinea, and produced in Brooklyn; available at Blue Hill Café at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills and other local fine foods purveyors. 

Fair-Trade and Organic Flowers

Order your blooms from companies that show respect for the earth and the people who raise and process the flowers. You can shop for Rainforest Alliance Certified products at www.rainforest-alliance.org, but now even national companies like FTD and 1-800-Flowers.com have climbed on the eco-bandwagon. Pick up a sustainably produced bouquet locally at Costco, Sam’s Club, or Whole Foods.

Conflict-Free Jewelry

Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend when you think about the backstory of how they are brought to market. Look at companies like Brilliant Earth and Green ORO to find jewelry made in the most environmentally responsible way. 

Double-Duty Greeting Cards

This year, maybe go with an e-card—some of them even sing to you! If only a physical greeting will do, look for cards made from 100-percent recycled card stock and nontoxic inks (Papyrus, in Bronxville and Scarsdale, has a good selection). Even better are Bloomin cards that are embedded with wildflower seeds. Just plant, water, and wait for the blooms.