Green Gift Guide

Although the weather hasn’t felt like it, I hear the winter holiday season is upon us.  After sifting through the huge pile of ads on Thanksgiving just like the rest of America, I had a major realization:  I was not going to be a crazy person out running around town scrounging for deals on Black Friday.  It seems that many people had the same idea as online sales between Black Friday and Cyber Monday soared to a record high.

I am happy to report that thanks to my online shopping excursion over the weekend, I am almost finished with my shopping - and I only started on Friday!  I highly recommend online shopping not only because you get to sit at home on your couch and keep your sanity, but it keeps more cars off the road.  In addition, there are some awesome eco friendly gifts available on the web that you may not have considered.  Here are a few of my favorites…

1. Reusable bags.  Yes, yes I know this is not a new idea, but if you are anything like me, you often forget your reusable bags when going shopping which totally defeats the purpose of having them.  Solution: Find reusable bags that pack up nice and small and fit in your pocket or purse.  My personal favorite brand is Envirosax.  Not only do they come in chic patterns, they roll up super small and are incredibly durable….did I mention they can hold up to 44 pounds each?!
2. There are lots of websites out there offering recycled products.  One of the most interesting is the site uncommongoods.  They have cool items like picture frames made out of old ceiling tiles, recycled tire flower pots and recycled wetsuit ipad covers.
3. In case you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend going to Etsy for handmade one-of-a-kind gifts.  There are many sellers on the site offering jewelry, clothing and home décor all made from 100% recycled materials.
4. Give bamboo kitchen supplies like spoons and cutting boards to the cooks in your family.
5. Buy credits for friends and family for sites like Amazon, Netflix, iTunes, etc.
6. Want to give your friends something charitable but useful?  Buy products like 100% organic bags from FEED Projects.  Not only will your purchase provide meals and job training to children in need from around the world, you will have a unique gift for your friend.  It’s a win-win.
7. Visit the adoption center at the National Wildlife Federation to “adopt” your animal of choice (I adopted a baby giraffe for my niece).  You will receive a certificate of adoption, and the funds will help protect wildlife.
8. Low on cash but still want to give something?  Try plantable holiday cards from websites like Botanical Paperworks.

Have any original green gift ideas of your own?