Green Holiday Gift Ideas
Winter holidays like Christmas have always been associated with the color green, which sparked the idea for us to think about how to make this holiday season even greener. Gift giving is typically associated with some pretty wasteful practices. First, there are the environmental impacts of driving around endlessly to find that perfect gift. Then, there is the gift itself. Many products sold in the U.S. aren’t even made here. The fuel that it takes to get those toys and slippers to your local big box store is another negative environmental impact. And finally, wrapping paper! Christmas morning at my house is a virtual explosion of ribbons and colored paper.
The holiday season is really about celebrating community, togetherness and family. Here are some ways we came up with to minimize negative environmental impacts, minimize stress, and maximize your enjoyment of the coming holidays.
1. Consider buying gifts online. This mode of shopping is becoming more and more popular every year. In this way, you can easily search for AND FIND exactly what you’re looking for. Also, websites like Amazon include a "suggestion" feature. I think this is really helpful in finding even more creative and thoughtful gift suggestions.
2. Wrap gifts in recycled paper. How many newspapers, paper grocery bags and/or magazines do you throw away each year? I used to feel so guilty about throwing away magazines like National Geographic because they’re so beautiful. Now, I save money and reduce my carbon footprint by wrapping gifts in homemade wrapping paper. Go ahead and turn that paper bag into a work of art. Turn it inside out and decorate it with markers. Your gift recipients will probably be impressed that you took the time to do it.
3. Consider making a donation in someone’s name to an organization like Heifer International. Last year, I donated a flock of ducklings to a poor family in China in my mother’s name. It only cost me twenty dollars and provided a family in desperate need with a source of protein and income from selling eggs and chicks! Oh, and I didn’t do anything besides fill out an e-form. Heifer sent a card to my mother in recognition of the donation.
4. Give your family the gift of improved indoor air quality and decreased energy consumption by purchasing one of our room air purifiers or for the do-it-yourselfer choose one of our many Energy Star approved ventilation fans.
5. And finally, be creative! Tell us what your green holiday ideas are!
