~by Jill Tarabar

If you’re like me, you are still looking for that perfect Mother’s Day gift for the mom who needs NOTHING!

Gift guides are everywhere. The one that caught my eye was published in Parade Magazine, distributed through our Sunday newspaper on April 28, 2013… And, yes, we still read a paper newspaper!

Pictured are a variety of items that mom might love… A novel that tells the story of the discovery of a specific flower… beach-y colored glass bottles and vases… a wrap bracelet for the hip, artsy, boho mom… a woven handbag for the activist mom who encourages empowering women at home and in developing countries… a cookbook… items for the fashionista mom… and more.

Now let’s look at Mother’s Day gift giving from an Impact Thrift perspective!

For the Book Worm Mom: Is mom an avid reader? Is she a cook or a musician? Does she enjoy crafts, fiction or self-help books?  Each of our stores has a very extensive Book Department where you’ll find all of these types of books… often brand new or in very gently-used condition. The shelves of our book departments are organized by genre to make shopping easier and we are always on hand to help you find something specific.

For the Gardening Mom: Is mom a gardener? Or a gardener-want-to-be? Between our Book Department and Bric-a-Brac Department, you might put together a fun basket of gardening goodies for Mom! Be creative…. think outside the flower pot. Start with a great basket and be open to what you might find on our shelves. Add a book, some gardening tools, maybe a silk plant if mom’s thumb is less than green!

For the 60’s style Activist Mom: One of the items in the Parade Picks that caught my eye is a handbag designed by Women in Kenya sold in support of “female-owned-businesses worldwide”.  Through a local organization called Sustained Acts, each Impact Thrift Stores also carries a variety of items, including bags and baskets, that directly support craftspeople and villagers in Kenya. 100% of the purchase price of these items goes directly to Sustained Acts in support of orphanages as well as sustainable green technology in Kenya.

Feasterville shoppers might be familiar with a section of the store called Impact International. This department includes handcrafted jewelry and gift items from a variety of international non-profits that support women who have been rescued from brothels and sexual slavery. Click here to read more about Impact International!

For the Fashionista Mom: Jewelry, jewelry, jewelry and the hottest fashion labels around. On any given day (and especially this week) you might find a string of pearls, a boho triple wrap bracelet, a Coach handbag, a Michael Kors dress or a pair of Manolo Blahnik pumps in just the right size! Mom will be thrilled!

And for the Sports Fan Mom: Is mom a die-hard Phillies Phan? We’ve got Phillies gear galore! Each of our stores is stocked with the seasonal sports apparel of both professional and college teams alike.

And when all else fails… how about an Impact Thrift Gift Certificate! Encourage mom to shop for herself. She will be amazed at what she finds in any of our 4 stores while feeling the warmth of supporting charities and the environment! A win-win!