Tis the Season for Green Gift Ideas

How many of us have to strain our brain when it comes to gift giving? Almost everyone I know says “I have no idea what to get so and so.” I have vowed to keep it simple and green this year.

I will only purchase or make things for people that I know will make use of it, I’ve already warned my mother, “No more trinkets and useless stocking stuffers, if you want to stuff my stocking do it with beeswax candles.” I love my mother but she tends to get carried away with getting me things that I end up giving to Good Will years later.

Hopefully she will read this blog and check out some of my suggestions:)

• BeesWax Candles: It’s best if you find your candles locally but if not I provided a link to this really cute website I found. These candles are great because they not only emit negative ions that clean the air but they burn cleaner and longer and contain no artificial additives.

• Fair Trade Coffee and Tea: Coffee is a huge import here in the U.S. so I believe in making sure the countries that provide this phenomenal treat receive their profit. This site will give you more information and also help you find Fair Trade products in your area.

• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Spread the benefit of using CFL light bulbs this holiday season. These little guys use less energy and last longer. Replacing your incandescent bulbs with a CFL will keep 1/2 a ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb.

• Lizzie Candles & Soap: It would be great if you bought some natural organic soaps but fabulous if you made them yourself. It’s a nice natural touch and it may motivate you to start making your own for every day use. Also check out Lizzie’s page for the ever wonderful soy candle!

• Go Solar: Charge your electronics, use grills and even operate your home with Solar Power. Huge steps need to be taken in order for solar energy to become the norm but it’s apparent that people are anxious for the change and are willing to explore these alternatives. Now let’s just hope the government receives the memo!

• Eco Bags: Reusable and made of recycled material these bags are a superb and earth friendly alternative to the plastic bag. I would suggest trying to keep them in your car and if need be post a sticky note to your dash so you remember to take them out of the car

• Ecoist: Eco-Friendly hand bags, clocks and accessories made from discarded food packages, candy wrappers, old records and movie billboards. Also for every purchase made from Ecoist a tree is planted!

• Greater Good: For this year and ones to follow you can (at the click of a button) donate to the charity of your choice. Greater Good also has a village website where you can choose from online shops like Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom’s, Dell, Office Max and 100% of the Greater Good’s commission goes to the charity of your choice at no extra charge.

• Alternative Gifts International: AGI is a nonprofit interfaith agency that allows individuals to purchase life sustaining gifts to countries around the globe. Some examples of current projects of AGI are Hope for Hopeless Neighbors (USA), New Life for Children (Vietnam) and Children with Cancer (Tanzania & East Africa).

• Abundant Earth: This site is quite amazing. They have everything from bedding, health care and clocks to bags, office products and candle holders. Most made out of recycled wood, cotton or bicycle and auto parts.

• Earth Easy Shop: The store itself has many delightful items but I found awesome holiday greeting cards made of 100% recycled paper, printed with soy ink and you can actually plant the card! Aside from how excited I am over the cards they also have the reel mower (electric also available), solar ovens, natural lawn care products and gardens in a bag!

• Ten Thousand Villages: What an awesome store! I was all ready to wrap up my post and my sister mentioned this store she has been to here in New York. I checked it out and fell in love. The company is a founding member of the International Fair Trade Association and lists each and every artisan they are in partnership with. They have beautiful jewelery, gift ideas for his and her, plant and garden items, stationary and home furnishings. It’s certainly worth checking out

Wow, this has totally gotten me into the gift giving spirit! I love it, I’m in upstate NY visiting my sister and we just finished carving pumpkins. The weather is crisp and cool and I’m enjoying a nice cup of coffee. I can’t wait to share my green gifts with my family and friends. Help spread love for the environment to the ones you love this holiday season, Peace