How to Choose 'Green' Newlywed Gifts

Ideas and tips for finding the perfect, 'green' wedding gift. Not only will the newlywed couple appreciate your unique taste, but your interest in saving the earth.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access to shop and research.
• Vehicle to shop

1. Newlywed couples are starting a life together; so think of items that they would use on a daily basis after the wedding and honeymoon. Such items would include: kitchen items and utensils, bedding, household cleaning products, gardening supplies and decorative accessories.

2. Think organic, natural items. Such items would include products made of: stainless steel, bamboo, granite, recycled glass and paper.

3. The online store, Gaiam (www.gaiam.com), offers products ranging from organic cotton bedding, homemade natural soaps, bamboo stools, ice cream makers and Zen fountains (all made from natural elements).

4. Viva Terra (www.vivaterra.com) sells beautiful, recycled glass dinnerware sets. These dinnerware sets come in all shapes and sizes and also come in great color selections. They also have stainless steel flatware, stone place mats and table runners, agate plates and coasters, and even a handmade, all-natural broom and dustpan set. You are sure to find a unique wedding gift at this site.

5. Bed, Bath & Beyond offers a nice selection of stainless products at a reasonable price. Their stainless steel collection includes: pots and pans, cheese graters, mixing bowls, and knife sets. If the couple has submitted their wedding registry at Bed, Bath & Beyond your shopping trip may have just gotten easier if you can find an eco-friendly gift they have requested for.

6. Perhaps a more unique, but adventurous wedding gift idea would be to buy the newlywed couple an annual national park pass. This pass is available to the general public and allows free entrance to any national park for one year. Passes can be obtained in person at a park of by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass.

7. Target and Walmart have also recently extended their product lines to include eco-friendly products. The key to shopping for earth-friendly materials at Target or Walmart is to check tags and labels to ensure that the products are made of natural materials. Target is now selling unique, recycled paper vases and Walmart has recently started selling kitchen and dining accessories made of bamboo.

Tips & Warnings

• Think of what the newlywed couple will be using on a day-to-day basis after their wedding and find that item in organic materials.
• Opt for an unusual, but useful gift along the lines of a unique conversation piece such as an agate serving plate or an adventurous national park pass for easy, weekend get-a-ways.