BC-Based Gifts Perfect for Mom

There was a time when macaroni art was an acceptable Mother’s Day gift. But if you’re reading this article, those days have certainly passed. Thankfully, the bounty of BC is here to help. And by bounty, we’re talking about local businesses around the province that are making thoughtful treats, tinctures and wares that will help you say “Thanks for all you do” and “I love you.” Far more effectively than a card decorated with macaroni, anyway.

 

Sangre de Fruta 

To really pamper mom this Mother’s Day, leave it to the experts at Sangre de Fruta. Based on Bowen Island, this beauty brand creates apothecary-style products that are infused with local botanicals. Their wares take inspiration from Egyptian beauty rituals and Pablo Neruda love sonnets—just don’t ask us how. There is an array of skin, hair and body products to choose from, but it’s hard to pass on sets like The Face Ritual Trio, scented with botanicals like neroli, myrrh, and psyche flower nectar. Or make Mom’s whole house sing with the Royal Flush Collection that includes hand wash, lotion, and a trio of products for the shower. 

 

Merge 

Trust a Tofino-based company to have perfected an easy-breezy approach to beauty, with a splash of luxury for balance. We know Mom will love how responsible the brand is—all their clothing and self-care products are as sustainable and natural as possible. But we also know that she’ll love the West Coast–inspired offerings. Like the Solstice Hair & Body Oil, scented with lemon and wildflowers, or perennial favourite Balmy Summer Roll-On, a gender-neutral fragrance that is apparently addictive and “evolves as you wear it.” 

 

Pyrrha

There’s giving Mom jewellery for Mother’s Day—and then there’s Pyrrha. This local BC brand takes a simple necklace and turns it into a thoughtful, sentimental keepsake. Pyrrha has gained both celebrity (hello, Ryan Gosling!) and international attention, but all the pieces are still made by hand in their Vancouver studio. There are so many talismans to choose from—including silver, gold, and brightly pigmented options—but for this holiday, we suggest pieces like Safe and Sound, featuring a nest sheltering a clutch of eggs. Or My Life, with an elephant and its calf. All the pieces are sustainably made from recycled metals in a zero-carbon workshop, which keeps another famous Mom happy: Mother Nature.

 

Karat Chocolate

Eye-catching, colourful, and the winner of more than 35 international awards. But more importantly—in terms of gift-giving for Mom—it’s chocolate. The story of Karat begins in the basement of Kelowna’s Mission Hill winery, with just a few bags of Valrhona chocolate. Now, they offer an array of bars in tempting flavours like PB&J, Milk & Cereal and Pineapple Upside Down, alongside boxes studded with flavours like popcorn caramel, and mulled wine. And if you’re lucky enough to live near Kelowna, handmade pastries and other goodies await inside their cafe. Word to the wise: mom will notice if a bite is missing.

 

Bush Berry 

If mom is a tea drinker, simply introducing her to Nakusp-based Bush Berry is gift in itself. Specializing in organic, sustainably sourced loose-leaf teas, they offer an array of teas for both body and soul. For body, try blends like Immune Defence, Daily Detox or Relax and Renew. And for the soul, give her a heavenly cup of Lavender Earl, Berry Berry or Sunny Days Iced Tea. There’s also the peace of mind she’ll have knowing that many of the botanicals are foraged locally; and all are free from pesticides and delivered in compostable packaging. Look at the conscientious kid she raised.

 

Om Organics 

Just like Mom, the plant-based tonics and tinctures by Om Organics manage to be fun and elegant at the same time. The Invermere-based apothecary specializes in delicious-smelling, non-toxic serums, cleansers, lotions and more—all of which work hard and are indulgent at the same time. (Again, just like Mom.) For Mother’s Day, we’re partial to the range of aromatherapy roll-ons, which do everything from simply smelling good (Flower Child Scented Roll On) to helping her unwind before bed (Release Wellness Roll On). But if that doesn’t appeal, find bath soaks, targeted face oils, and everything in-between.

 

Crowfoot Collective 

Candles are a perfect gift, combining home decor and self-care into one delightfully scented package. But for a candle that’s different from the rest, look no further than Crowfoot Collective in Cobble Hill. Their mission is to harness nature to create powerful, healing and cleansing candles that use sacred geometry and therapeutic scents in everything from elegant tapers to crystal-studded candles. The Papoa’kan (Dream Catcher) combines scents inspired by Pachena Bay, the “Hawai’i of Canada,” which is topped with clear quartz, amethyst and rose quartz stones to cleanse and purify—and look beautiful, of course. Sage and sweetgrass aid the purification process. The kind of gift that will make Mom proud. 

 

Bows Coffee 

Just trust us on this one: your mom needs coffee. So why not make sure her next cup is really, really good? Bows Coffee in Victoria has a healthy selection of single-origin coffees to choose from, arranged by the farmer that produced the beans. To really up the ante, they also offer coffee subscriptions, which means a delivery of seasonal, micro-lot coffee can arrive based on mom’s own coffee-drinking schedule. (So, often.) Choose based on whether mom brews filter coffee or espresso—or both—and throw in a bar of Sirene’s custom chocolate bars while you’re at it.