When it comes to gifts, most go to the nearest shopping center to purchase the latest "it" thing. Unfortunately, the most popular toy or the season's must-have accessory usually comes with a hefty price tag. To break this costly monotony, more gift-givers have turned toward "green" gifts to celebrate special occasions.
Green gifts are often made from recycled, re-purposed, or renewable resources. These include bamboo, glass, teak, and other recycled products such as tires, sneakers, and cardboard.
To maintain a positive public image, companies attempt to incorporate these renewable materials in their products. Today, many hard goods, gadgets, and textiles are comprised of recycled material.
Green Gifts For The Tech-Savvy
To give a memorable gift without breaking the piggy bank, many seek alternative gifts. For the technologically adept , many unique gifts can be used to mark milestone occasions. Affordable, environmentally friendly gifts include:
- Bamboo Mouse to reduce the amount of plastic introduced to the environment
- Kindle Books
- Portable Solar Charger that can recharge batteries for cameras, PDAs, etc.
- Kilowatt meter, which displays how much electricity various devices need to operate
- Bamboo Picture Frame
- Water Purifying Pen
- Self-powered Radio
- Solar Lantern
Green Gifts For New Parents
Before a baby is born, many expecting parents hold a baby shower to celebrate their joy. It is traditional for these soon-to-be parents to have gift registries, which list items they would like to receive. Rather than choosing a gift that the parents expect to receive, choose something that is good for both the environment, as well as the baby, such as:
- Organic Baby Carrier
- Wooden Toys
- Uncle Goose ABC blocks
- Hand-crafted Felt Puppet
- Adjustable Hot Sling
Green Gifts For The Cook
Cooking is often described as a hobby enjoyed by many. To prepare a culinary masterpiece, a cook requires specific utensils and serving dishes. Items purchased at a department store or from a high-end manufacturer are often appreciated, but lose their novelty soon thereafter.
Receiving an earth friendly gift for the kitchen helps the household cook prepare meals that not only dazzle the taste buds, but satisfy their desire to help the environment. Gifts that can help fulfill this wish include:
- Solid Bamboo Utensils
- Teak Chopping Block
- Teak Cutting Board
- Glass Dishware
- Recycled Glass Pitcher and Goblets
Green Gifts For Pet Lovers
Pet lovers have two things in common: the love of their pet and the desire to keep their pet safe wherever they go. Many pet care products have been proven to cause long-term harm to animals. To prevent this, pet owners often go the extra mile to protect their pet. Some products that maintain a pet's health and safety include:
- Hemp Collars
- Herbal Joint Elixir
- Biodegradable Waste Bags
- All-natural Shampoo and Conditioner
Regardless of the occasion, gift cards to earth-friendly shops allow gift recipients to choose their own gift and give back to the environment. Eco-friendly gifts can be given for all occasions, and usually cost about the same as traditional gifts. Next time when a special occasion arises, try giving something that gives back.
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Sharay Parkinson - As a child, I always loved to garden, but I never planned to make a living doing this until I realized how gratifying it is to cultivate ...
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