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Green Christmas: How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift

14 December 2007 12 Comments

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans throw away a million extra tons [900,000 metric tons] of garbage each week, including holiday wrapping and packaging.

Many of today’s products are available in environmentally friendly versions. There are staplers that do not use staples, remote controlled toys that do not use batteries, clothes made from natural products and even eco-computers that are made with gentler chemicals and make fewer emissions. It is easy to choose an environmentally friendly gift.

However, the most environmentally friendly gifts are made from creative ideas rather than material packages. Pass on the eco-friendly spirit with these gifts!

  • - Give recycled gifts. Look in your closet, your cabinet or storage space.Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift What is in there that you have not used in the longest time, is gently used and could be of service to a family member or friend? You can also recycle or create decorative wrapping paper and cards using old Holiday cards, decorations and papers that you have around the house.
  • - Don’t buy Christmas gifts that are over packaged. Toys are especially bad for this, with cardboard boxes covered by plastic sheets, sealed with tape and fastened with plastic ties. Buy products that have the packaging fit to them, or even better aren’t packaged at all.
  • - Give homemade gifts. If you make great holiday cookies, pies, or other treats. Whip up a batch and give them as gifts in reusable decorative container. If you’re an artist, create miniature works to share with family and friends.
  • - Consider the power requirements for your gift. Batteries that can’t be recharged are a dangerous addition to landfills because of the chemicals contained in them. A Christmas gift that doesn’t use power or can be recharged is best.
  • - Give a charity or environmentally friendly gift Sponsor an animal oreco friendly christmas gift 2 Green Christmas: How to Choose an Eco Friendly Christmas Gift give a membership to a charity or environmental organization. With a little planning we can give presents that are thoughtful, original and make a difference to the environment too.
  • - Find out where the product comes from. The amount of waste created and energy used in the manufacture and transport of products can have a real impact on the planet. Buying locally contributes to the economy of your own community and reduces the amount of pollution created by trade. The manufacturer should also have an environmentally friendly operation.
  • - Give sustainable gifts: water bottles, canvas shopping bags (decorate them with fabric pens or iron on patches for a personal touch), or stainless steel travel mugs.
  • - Plan your shopping trips, so that they occur along your usual routes as much as possible. If you work downtown, take a stroll by the shops. Is there a shopping center or mall along your route from work? Check it out?

… and don’t forget: We can celebrate; we can be generous but let us also be kind to the planet where we live.

Related posts:

  1. 7 Anti-Stress Ideas for a Peaceful Christmas
  2. Christmas Saving Money Ideas: How to Earn Money without Waste Them !
  3. Ultimate Top 25 Christmas Wishes Collection
  4. Good Environmental Habits = Easy Way to Save our Planet
  5. Healthy Green Habits that improve Your Health

12 Comments »

  • Gift Ideas: Unique Personalized Gifts for Men & Women » Green Christmas: How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift said:

    [...] Betty had some great ideas on this topic.You can read a snippet of the post here.Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift What is in there that you have not used in the longest time, is gently used and could be of service to a family member or friend? You can also recycle or create decorative wrapping paper and cards using old … [...]

  • Brody said:

    A lot of these simple, easy to do activities will make a big difference– especially with bigger organizations. Sun Microsystems, who comes in first place in Silicon Valley for lowest carbon emissions, is hosting a free event to share their wealth of knowledge regarding conservation and sustainability at a free event called Energy Camp in January of 2008. Its my (one and only) N.Y. resolution:: http://www.openeco.org/energycamp

  • Edible Baby Shower Cake said:

    Hi Conceptually this article (nnial 2007 – salvatore iaconesi – del.icio.us poetry) is sound and I agree whole heartedly. I personally think it relates to Edible Baby Shower Cake as well, IMHO.

  • holiday gifts said:

    Hi , i am looking for gift ideas n there are so many of them , so much so it leaves me confused and undecided what to get – maybe you would like to visit my website – happy holidays .

  • kajun36 » Green Christmas: How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift said:

    [...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptDon’t buy Christmas gifts that are over packaged. Toys are especially bad for this, with cardboard boxes covered by plastic sheets, sealed with tape and fastened with plastic ties. Buy products that have the packaging fit to them, … [...]

  • Phil said:

    Passing through and wanted to say hello

  • Egor said:

    Hey!, been surfing the net for earn money ways and found your blog reg Personal development for a perfect life. You relly know your stuff! I\’d like to see more posts here. Will definitely bookmark it and come back.

  • Lola Allen said:

    My favorite gift to give during Christmas day is a fruit basket with toys and gift certificates. they can really put a smile on someone’s face”*

  • Sydney Collins said:

    My favorite gift to give during Christmas day is a fruit basket with toys and gift certificates. they can really put a smile on someone’s face;;.

  • Matthew Anderson said:

    we should always look for eco-friendly products out there to help the environment.”–

  • Archie Hill said:

    we must concentrate more on eco-friendly materials and practices to help save the environment.*.*

  • Alex Long said:

    Christmas is nearing again gotta prepare some great Christmas Gifts”‘;

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