How to Give Environmentally Friendly Presents

As the green revolution continues to build, more people are interested in giving gifts that are environmentally friendly. Gifts that don't adversely affect the environment are presents that everyone can feel good about and will appreciate.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a car to go to the store
• a credit card, cash, or check
• a computer to shop online
• recycled gift wrapping paper or recycled fabric, towels, newspaper, etc
• a gift card
• this article

1. Consider buying personal skin care products that are made from organic, safe and chemical free ingredients. Check the EWG.org for their safety rating of most personal care products

2. A massage or facial gift certificate is a soothing stress reliever

3. Buy certificates for yoga studios, pilates classes, or personal training sessions which will help them exercise their way to health

4. Purchase cozy clothing made from 100% pesticide-free organic cotton

5. Buy healthy snacks like healthy nuts in their shell and a nut cracker. Nuts are full of vitamins, minerals and healthy unsaturated fats. Almonds, walnuts, pecans and pistachios are all great choices.

6. Consider a bottle of gourmet extra virgin olive oil which would be appreciated by any cook or salad lover.

7. Send an organic fruit basket or organic fruit-of-the-month club which will remind them of you every month

8. Send flowers which always are sure to brighten someone’s day and lift their mood

9. Buy a box of good quality dark chocolate as a healthy treat. Dark chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa) has a lot of antioxidants and is good for the heart and for blood pressure

10. Consider that music has the power to change our mood, relive stress and energize. Buy their favorite artist's latest cd or iTune cards.

11. Send a subscription to a health magazine. It will be supportive all year long

12. An emergency flashlight that doesn’t require batteries is a practical gift that everyone would appreciate, especially the gadget lover

13. Certificates to book stores, movie theatres, health food stores or a health conscious restaurant would be welcomed by anyone

14. Buy renewable energy credits: Credits help offset the environmental costs of our energy needs by funding renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power, elsewhere on the grid.

15. Take a friend off junk mail lists: Generate automatic forms with your recipient’s name and address at your choice of various junk mail cancellation websites to reduce unwanted mail by 50 percent. Present the forms in stamped, addressed envelopes ready to be signed and mailed.

16. Assemble a Turn The Tide basket of compact fluorescent light bulbs, forms for stopping junk mail, delicious and healthy recipes or a cookbook, and a note about how they can log onto www.turnthetide.org to see exactly how much of an impact they are having on the environment

Tips & Warnings

• Wrap your gift with something recycled, or useful like a dish towel

Resources

• for more information

[NaturalsByDiana]

on 7/8/2009 Being "Green" is even more important these days as there are so many people and less resources.
Also, our poor planet is polluted and abused enough.

You gave some good tips here.

I make most of the gifts that I give and I am teaching my kids the same :)

I too write about Natural Living and being Green - It is good to try to make a difference - Have a good day

Organically Yours,
Diana

[papaya42]

on 2/11/2009 Fun and eco-conscious gifts! Thanks for the tips.

[KneadWellness]

on 2/11/2009 Very useful ideas! Going green can be economical as well as healthy.

[jamilbroom]

on 7/28/2008 great tips! -–because i don’t have time or creative ability, i shop for recycled home decor and green gifts at Fresh Heirlooms, located in Pittsburgh. there’s now an online shop that has creative and nicely done candle holders, furniture, clocks, shelves, picture frames and a bunch of really neat stuff. http://www.freshheirlooms.com

[amylaine]

on 5/29/2008 great ideas