Gift Guide 2008
Holiday gifting is a breeze when you know who and what you’re looking for. Grab your list and check out our favorite picks for the 2008 shopping season.
1. The Person Who Has Everything
And we mean everything.
You’re in luck. We know what they don’t have – a chicken made from plastic bags.
The recycled, fair trade figurine is handmade by crafts people in townships near Cape Town, South Africa. No two are alike and are sure to delight the “mission impossible” person on your list more than the scented candle you had planned as a backup.
2. The Adventurer
Know someone who likes to hit the great outdoors and hang out with Mother Nature? More than likely, they need a high-intensity water bottle that can withstand the elements and a little “tough love.” Made 100 percent from aluminum and wholly reusable and recyclable, the crack-resistant Sigg water bottle has customizable accessories to make any adventurer’s holidays a little more exciting. photo
3. The Lady on the Move
If you’re buying a gift for a gal whose always got places to be and people to see, a recycled handbag is just the ticket to get her from Point A to Point B. Hand woven from newspapers, each tote is unique and sports a sophisticated flair from a humble material. photo
4. The Bookworm
For the studious at heart, there’s nothing like a good book to curl up with during the holidays. If you’ve got an “eco-geek” on your holiday gift list, William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s Cradle to Cradle is the ultimate deep read when it comes to the science and research behind some of the most innovative ideas in the sustainable scene.
If you’re shopping for a bookworm that’s into the DIY movement, Lori Bongiorno’s Green, Greener, Greenest is chock full o’ tips to help you be green on any budget, schedule or lifestyle. Through a three-tiered approach, the book allows readers to locate the information and level of commitment they’re looking for in a snap.
5. The Budget
Don’t let your green gift dreams fly out the window just because you’re on a budget this year. MeFlosharonGreen, an eBay store, makes a beautiful butterfly magnet made of the recycled soda can of your choice. The site also features a number of other magnet styles, as well as Christmas tree ornaments and jewelry, at prices ranging from $0.99 and up. photo
6. The Toddler
What little guy doesn’t like a cool truck to motor around the house? Sprig’s Discover Rig has lights and sounds powered by the movement of its own tires. The truck can hold three different characters, whose audio tales are activated by the kinetic energy created by the moving truck. Constructed from a bio-composite of recycled wood and plastic, and boxed in easily recycled packaging, these fun toys are safe and environmentally friendly for even the smallest explorer. photo
7. The “GQ” Type
For the man in your life who likes sophisticated things with a touch of charm, these typewriter key cuff links are the perfect accessory. Handmade from authentic, vintage typewriters, each cuff link is unique and has a varying degree if wear and coloration. You can also design custom sets with initials or expressions to add even more personality to these old-world classics.
8. The Fashionista
When it comes to high-end green fashion, Linda Loudermilk is the name to know. Designing “eco-luxury” garments from exotic fabrics made from sustainable resources like seaweed and corn, her pieces are provocative and eye-catching.
Like her clothing, Loudermilk’s Water is a Human Right necklace is sure to make a splash in any social scene. A generous donation will be made with its purchase to the YEW Foundation to support organizations with clean water initiatives. photo
9. The Wine Lover
Tired of giving the wine enthusiast on your list the same, cookie-cutter accessories? This rustic, recycled glass decanter with tumblers and goblets goes against traditional, stuffy sets with modern lines. A kickback to an older Mediterranean style, they’ll add an extra dash of culture and sophistication to anyone’s bar ware. photo
10. The Mini Green Thumb
The Indoor Gardening Kit from Green Toys, Inc., is sure to bring delight to kids of all ages interested in the outdoors. The nine-piece kit is made in the U.S. from recycled plastic milk containers. Your young gardener can grow Teddy Bear Sunflowers, Basil and Zinnia with this kit packaged in recycled corrugated boxes.
11. The Sentimental Type
You can never go wrong with giving a loved one a photo of a treasured memory or person. Add in that this handmade frame is constructed with recycled newsprint and supports women and families in the Philippines, and that warm feeling in your heart burns just a bit brighter. photo
12. The Wrap
We love the wrapping paper and greeting cards from Ecosaurus. Beyond the great name, their products are great for the planet. Their wrapping paper is printed on 100 percent recycled paper from 50 percent post-consumer waste; their greeting cards are 100 percent recycled Forest Stewardship Council Certified paper from 100 percent post-consumer waste. Both products are processed chlorine-free and Green-e Certified. photo
Jenny
posted on November 24th, 2008 at 5:43 am
** TickleMe Plant**
A great green low cost gift that will make everyone smile is to grow a TickleMe Plant and watch it MOVE when Tickled! The leaves quickly fold and even the branches droop when tickled. I found this to be a great stress reliever in my office and what a conversation piece!. You may have seen the TickleMe Plant in the botanical gardens or on the premier of CSI NY. Now it can be grown indoors year round. It even produces
cotton candy like pink flowers.
No green thumb needed. I found it on line at http://www.ticklemeplant.com
Lenie G. Garcia
posted on November 25th, 2008 at 4:33 am
This blog is pretty interesting.
Tara
posted on November 25th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I grew these plants as a child growing up in the city. They helped excite me enough about plants that I became an environmental educator and land steward for a conservation organization. Time to grow some again with my children…thanks
Adam
posted on November 25th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Here’s a green gift with lasting impact: The Eco Starter Kit. Inside are a bunch of easy eco products that help you and your friends save energy and water, lower utility bills and reduce greenhouse gases. The kit also includes online tools that enable you to calculate your carbon footprint and track progress.
Shopping Sustainably « Earth911 Blog
posted on November 28th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
[...] bed propped up on pillows, carbon footprint nearly nil, shopping for sustainable gifts out of the Earth 911 gift guide. No lie: this gift guide is incredible. Raquel and Jenny and the team have put together something [...]
7 Peaks School
posted on December 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
This is a great site. We came up with some ideas our selves
Reuse ribbons and wrap gifts in:
old maps, magazines, comic strips
children’s artwork
Give gifts of membership, entertainment, and charity
COTA (Central Oregon Trail Alliance)
ONDA (Oregon Natural Desert Alliance)
Habitat for Humanity
Gyms or indoor play areas
State Park passes
Tickets to plays, performances, movies
Certificates from local nurseries so that people can plants trees, shrubs, and flowers in the spring
Give blood! It’s red and saves lives.
Bring your own glasses, plates, and knives to parties.
It’s cool to be Green.
Shop with reusable bags. Give them as gifts.
Create electronic thank yous or make a phone call.
Set the thermostat to 68°F and wear a festive sweater.
Re-Gift: find quality used products instead of buying new
Thrift shops, garage sales, second-hand merchants
Give Green products such as composting bins, low flow shower heads, travel less; recycle materials, local for food
leiah
posted on February 9th, 2009 at 12:08 am
@ jenny, re tickleme plant…
i dont mean to disappoint you but the tickleme plant being sold for $20 per 3 piece is quite expensive… and upon browsing the tickleme site, i found out that said plant was actually mimosa pudica (its scientific name) which is actually a “makahiya” plant – which is most oftentimes considered a weed in asian countries. haven’t seen one with pink flowers though, maybe its a different cross specie but it is still expensive at that price. local variety of these thrive in open areas and closes its leaves when touched.
CT
posted on June 28th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Recycling plastic bottles and re-purposing them into new and useful goods are key to our mission. We make reusable bags, tote bags, lunch bags, shoe bags, aprons, tablecloths, napkins and whatever item we can reuse the recycled product. We make these in the USA to make sure that we clean up our trash using our own domestic factories and labor.
Look for recycled products when shopping for home or gift items. It helps ensure a clean and green America!
Felicia
posted on October 7th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I just wanted to say this is a great article & I feel it would be a wonderful idea for you guys to put out another one this fall for the holiday season. :-D