With the holiday season quickly approaching, gift shopping for your family, friends, and co-workers might be on your mind. It might seem unimaginable to find eco-friendly gifts that are both enjoyable and sustainable, but look no further.
Here are 15 green gifts that are sure to be a hit:
For the eco-friendly novice, this assortment of eco-friendly products is a good introduction to the world of green. This starter kit includes energy-efficient light bulbs, a low-flow shower head to cut your water usage by 20%, and grapefruit essential oils for household cleaning. Also included is fair trade coffee, organic tea, and tea-tree oil soap. In addition, this kit comes with The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Living (Alpha 2007) by Trish Riley.
Earth-friendly Snowboard ($60 and up)
If outdoor adventure is your thrill, give eco-friendly snowboards by Arbor a try. Not only are these snowboards made of natural elements, the company donates a portion of its profits to various organizations working to protect the planet. In addition, all printed materials are done on recycled paper. ARBOR also makes apparel and skateboards.
Eco-Friendly Toys ($10-$100)
It’s never too early to go green. Eco-Friendly toys for children can serve as an introduction to a green lifestyle, as well as a healthy dose of fun. Green Toys Inc. creates toys from recycled milk containers. Parents don’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals, as Green Toys products contain no external coatings, including lead. In addition, packaging for Green Toys products is 100% recyclable. Toys R Us also carries eco-friendly toys from several companies.
Organic Champagne and Wine (Prices Vary)
The holiday season is full of parties and gatherings. Try bringing a bottle of organic champagne or sparkling wine to your next event. Diamond Organics offers a variety of wines, champagne, beer, and sake that are all natural. Eco-Express also has a selection of foreign all-natural champagnes.
Jewelry (Prices Vary)
For the family member who loves baubles, conflict-free diamonds and sustainable jewelry are an excellent choice. In addition to diamonds, GreenKarat offers jewelry made of recycled gold. Custom-designed pieces are available as a unique gift for your loved one. Lucina Jewelry creates handmade bracelets, earrings, and necklaces made with conflict free gems.
Solar Computer Charger ($262-$390)
Great for techies or business professionals on the go, a solar computer charger is a great way to ensure your laptop doesn’t lose power. No more searching for outlets– just look for the sun! Created by Sierra Solar Systems, this charger will work for Macintosh and portable PCs.
All-Natural Beauty Products (Prices Vary)
title=”nailpolish” rel=”lightbox[pics16014]” href=”/files/2008/12/nailpolish.jpg”>Eco-Friendly make-up is a perfect gift for the diva on your list. Honey Bee Gardens offers all-natural personal care products and does not test on animals. Available products include all-natural mascara, lip stick, glosses, and powders. The nail polishes are water based and odorless, and are available in 21 colors.
Recyclable USB Drive ($20-$100)
Give the student or tech lover on your list a recyclable USB drive. Touted as “the world’s first recyclable USB Drive,” the EarthDrive is designed and built using biodegradable materials, making it a fully recyclable product, according to the maker’s Website. The device’s manufacturing includes biodegradable polyester derived from renewable resources such as corn.
Vers Sound System ($179 and up)
Vers sustainable wood sound systems are functional, stylish, and eco-friendly. Made of eucalyptus and pine wood, these iPod docks are also energy efficient. Systems come in various natural styles including cherry wood, dark walnut, and bamboo. Even the paper used in packaging the units is recycled, and nearly all of the internal plastic packaging, bags and other wrapping have either been replaced with post-consumer paper or eliminated.
Making soft drinks at home is effortless with Soda Stream, a home soda maker that produces soda and seltzer water. Requiring no batteries or electricity, the Soda Stream will turn water into soda in thirty seconds. Reusable bottles make this fun product eco-friendly by reducing the number of store-bought cans and bottles. Soda Stream offers 25 regular, diet and caffeine-free flavors to enjoy.
Help your co-worker go green with a staple-free stapler. This device uses strips of paper to stitch papers together. Available in an array of colors, you’ll never have to worry about running out of staples– or better yet removing them– again.
An Earth-friendly television would make the perfect gift for the electronic enthusiasts or football fans on your holiday list. Phillips’ Eco TV, a 42 inch, flat-panel LCD, includes 1080p resolution and a concealed sound system. Not only is the television energy efficient, its components are lead free.
Forget about batteries–a water powered clock is a green way to keep track of time. This clock, which also has a timer, thermometer, and alarm, only requires water refills every two to three months. It will save you from the purchase and wasteful disposal of dry cell batteries, and you’ll be able to remember to water your plants … and your clock.
href=”http://www.carbonfund.org/site/pages/individuals/category/Offset%20Now/” target=”_blank”>Carbon Offsets ($100-$960)
Buy carbon offsets in a recipient’s name to offset pollutants caused by their holiday travel. Carbonfund.org offers gift cards to offset carbon emissions of individuals and are used toward renewable energy and other environmentally friendly projects.
Sustainable Home Décor (Prices Vary)
Consider sustainable home goods for those who love to redecorate. Vivavi and Anna Sova offer stylish yet eco-friendly furniture and home furnishings. Give Anna Sova’s organic sheets and towels a try, and accent your home with Vivavi’s modern green furniture.
Instead of grabbing a plastic bag at the corner market or local grocery store, pack your One Brown Girl bag and display your pride at being an environmentally conscious Brown Girl. As the Brown Girl behind the company says, “it’s important to modify some of our behaviors in order to combat the negative effects of global warming and take care of our very fragile planet.”