For my regular charityspam readers, you already know I am a lover of social enterprise. I also love the act of giving, and there is no greater gift to give knowing your purchase has made someone else’s life just a little bit brighter.   I have written blog posts on this topic before, but I thought I would again compile my top ten favourite socially kind gifts for mum this mothers day* check it out!  (and please leave me a comment below of any that you think should have made the list)

Mums: send this post to the father of your children as a big hint, or better still just buy yourself something lovely from this list
Dads / children old enough to read: your welcome*
Non-mums: treat yourself, you deserve it

*Mothers Day in Australia is Sunday 11th May 2014

1. Customised artwork by artist Lijean Beier of OneGirlStudio. Original artwork, cushions, jewellery and furniture. My personal favourite is an infinite love sentence of your choice, ready to hang or sit, on eco ply, measuring 240 x 240 x 35 mm.  Take a moment to look at all the gorgeous hand crafted delights. 10% of all profits from the One Girl Studio are donated to The African Sewing Group (5%) and Charity Water (5%)

2. TOMS – one for one
Check out the new beautiful range of TOMS Sandals priced from $59 USD. Every purchase helps a person in need, one for one.  Sandals are vegan and come in a gorgeous range of colours. Perfect gifts for mum also include glasses, jewellery (priced from $14 USD), bags, scarfs, shoes and apparell. Shop online here.

3. Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers
A book filled to the brim of laugh-out-loud-musings, thought provoking reflections relating to life, love, parenthood and everything in between.  Caylie’s first book is a collection of stories that every parent will relate to – looking for the perfect gift for a busy mum, look no further.  Caylie is donating 20% of all book sale proceeds to SANDS – by your copy here.

4. Photo for Freedom – photographic art
The Photo for Freedom – Volta project is a photographic study of daily life and work around the remote Lake Volta region in Ghana. The project aim is to raise public awareness of child slavery and raise funds to contribute to anti-trafficking work. Children as young as three years old are being sold by their relatives into the world of slavery. Buy these stunning images here, watch the clip here.

5. Dear Mum – by Julia Morris
Dear Mum is a collection of letters from Australian celebrities to their mothers, revealling what they would like to say to their mothers before it’s too late, or would have said if only they’d had the chance. Letters range from the deeply moving to the downright hilarious, the quirky to the sentimental, a rare insight into the personal lives of our favourite celebrities and the special relationship they have with their mother. Buy your copy here, all royalties go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

6. Desta Mender Ethiopian Cotton Wrap supporting Hamlin
This beautiful chunky-knit wrap was hand crafted in Ethiopia by a patient at Desta Mender, funds raised from the sale of this wrap supports the work of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia.  Desta Mender is a place where long-term obstetric fistula patients can learn skills and gain independence so they can return to village life.  The wrap is $70 and is knitted from Ethiopian cotton, and supplied with the name of the patient who made it.  Approximate size is 70cm x 150cm. Buy one here.

7. Mitscoots – Socks with a mission – get+give+employ
Founders of this American sock social enterprise found whilst working helping the homeless on the streets of Austin, Texas, they discovered that right after food and water, there was no greater request than a clean pair of socks.  For every pair purchased (by you) Mitscoots give away a pair of socks to someone in need, and take pride employing the homeless in their distribution. Buy your socks here.

8. IWDA Kachin Pins (Thai Burma Border)
A doll pin made by women from the Kachin Women’s Association in Thailand. Sales form part of an income generation program for women from Burma who have fled violence, poverty and trafficking. Your purchase of this doll supports IWDA’s work to promote positive change for women and their communities in Asia and the Pacific. Buy your dolls here learn more about the work of International Women’s Development Agency here.

9. At Crossroads: UNICEF’s work in the Kingdom of Wonder (Photobook)
At Crossroads is a photographic project showcasing the work of UNICEF funded projects in Cambodia and seeing first hand the impact these projects have on communities. High Quality Photo Book $42.00 includes shipping cost anywhere within Australia.

  Publication released June 2014,
 buy your copy here.
Note: at least $7 of every purchase will be donated to UNICEF Cambodia via the UNICEF Australia office.  Shop here.

10. Thankyou hand wash 
Thankyou is a social enterprise and consumer movement funding life-changing solutions to people in need.  The Thankyou Body Care range is no different, funding health and hygiene education in developing countries. One Thankyou Body Care™ bottle directly contributes to one person receiving access to health and hygiene training. Buy mum one of the beautiful range of body care projects (or all of them) at Coles, Woolworths, IGA and Foodland.  Watch their new ad here.

11. (YES ELEVEN) – I just discovered this gorgeous tea towel supporting St Kilda Mums
Please support St Kilda Mums and buy this gorgous $15 tea towel designed by local artist (and Mum) Madeleine Stamer. This 100% cotton tea towel makes a wonderful mother’s day gift, or use it to dry your dishes! It also looks sensational framed. All proceeds go to Cots for Tots 2014 Campaign. Buy one here.

Already have a gift?  Then wrap it in this beautiful Ethiopian Angels Gift Wrap, supporting the work of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia

Wishing all the mamas of the world a very wonderful Mothers Day!