Tell Mom: It's in the Bag

There are plenty of reusable totes out there for groceries and general schlepping, but most tend to have a tragic flaw. Either they're too heavy, too flimsy, not roomy enough, or — as with Anya Hindmarch's fashiony "I Am Not A Plastic Bag" — just too expensive.

And then there are the totes from Baggu.

Baggu makes reusable bags that are extra light, very spacious and super strong — plus they come in over 50 colors, from muted neutrals to eye-catching brights. Each bag is made of 100 percent recyclable nylon that can be readily melted down and reused again and again. And these totes, which hold around three plastic grocery bags worth of stuff, are just $8. They're even sold in a set of five, to fit a week's worth of groceries for a big family.

Baggu is based in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is committed to helping its community. The bags are routinely donated to local charities and fundraisers, with particular focus to helping schools. In fact, Baggu just launched a new program called "Baggu for Schools: Double the Good" on the company's website, www.baggubag.com. Neighborhood schools have partnered with the company so that for every bag purchased under the school's name, 40 percent of proceeds are donated back to that institution. With so many budgetary cutbacks in the school system these days, this initiative couldn't come at a better time.

And speaking of time, here's our last reminder that Sunday is Mother's Day ... and that these big bags are as ideal for mom to carry gym clothes or beach gear as cartons of (organic!) milk from the market. Most of Baggu's sacks come in solids or prints, but this one seems particularly timely for this weekend. So if you're stumped for the ideal affordable gift for the mom that has everything, the answer is in the bag.