Green Gifts for the Holiday Season

by Amy Judd | December 11, 2008 at 03:53 pm

379 views | 11 Recommendations | 14 comments

With the holiday season fast approaching, and with the economic situation still uncertain, it really is time to think of some gifts for loved ones that not only benefit the environment, but also your wallet - in short, have a Green Holiday.

Photos

Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas' Favorite Colors - Handknit Patchwork Scarf in Grey, Yellow, Orange-Red, Purple and Green

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uploaded by Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves

Here are just a few ideas of what to do to make this possible.

1. Make a scarf or a pair of gloves as a gift.

2. Bake cookies, a chicken pie, or mix up a Christmas cocktail (everyone loves food right?)

3. Make your own lipbalm for your girlfriend.

4. Put together a group of photos or a slideshow on your computer that tells of you and your friend's or familys' journey together.

5. Make you own cards and write a poem to your loved one.

6. A fridge magnet

7. Homemade beer or wine

Do you have some ideas of your own? Share them below!

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Uwe Paschen

at 15:57 on December 11th, 2008

Now, there is a good Idea that needs promoting, Green Gifts! Eco Friendly Gifts from all, for all and to all.

Thank you Amy.

Karenke4

at 16:09 on December 11th, 2008

Nice list!

My mom suggested I write some favorite family holiday memories to send home for Christmas instead of buying a gift.

Another idea... "pass along" your favorite book and ask them to do the same.

Andovercookiemama

at 16:40 on December 11th, 2008

Make some decorated cookies for a gift! Everyone loves cookies!

Andovercookiemama has contributed a photo to this story.

ghholt

at 16:50 on December 11th, 2008

Nothing like an Ice cold Margarita to brighten the Holidays.

ghholt has contributed a photo to this story.

ybpink

at 17:54 on December 11th, 2008

Electric guitars for the music shop where my boys (15 & 17) take guitar lessons. Made 218 cookies as a thank you to the owner...my boys respect him. The idea was that he could give them to his students...a dual gift.

ybpink has contributed a photo to this story.

lefty_liberated

at 18:34 on December 11th, 2008

You can also give a gift certificate for a class (yoga, dancing, cooking) or donate to charity in someone's name especially if you can find one that relates to their personal interests.

Amy Judd

at 18:40 on December 11th, 2008

There are some really good ideas here - thanks everyone!

pmcguire

at 01:16 on December 12th, 2008

A lovely concept and anything that spares needless waste is a good thing! Merry Christmas

kprice

at 08:56 on December 12th, 2008

You don't need all the right letters to get the message across. :-)

kprice has contributed a photo to this story.

cwartz1

at 09:38 on December 12th, 2008

If you are a scrapbook enthusiast or stamper, you can find more ideas along this line in my 12 Tips for Making the Holidays Greener article in Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine, Dec. 2008 issue. Another project of mine, the snowman gift card/holder is featured in one of the photos above. You can also see other ideas on my blog, Live Life Creatively.

Huggingthecoast.Com

at 11:17 on December 12th, 2008

Some of the homemade gifts I've enjoyed giving over the years include flavored vinegars and herbal olive oils. Also, if you have access to high quality produce (ie. from your own, a friend's garden, or the local CSA or farmers' market) you can use a dehydrator to make custom blends of dried herbs, soup mixes, trail mix, or the use as the base for homemade pesto.

Homemade flavored butters and fresh holiday dips are also nice to make too.

As far as non-food gifts go, one of the presents I like to give are gift certificates to my local art house theater.

reaung

at 13:11 on December 12th, 2008

Easy gift ideas for green christmas: you need just some felt, buttons, beeds, yarn or floss, magnets and a little time :-)

reaung has contributed a photo to this story.

Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves

at 15:31 on December 17th, 2008

Dear Marcos,

Thank you for using a photo of one of my 100+ scarf designs! ;) Anyone who needs a little help producing a handmade scarf, pls visit my online scarf boutique, http://cricketscreations.etsy.com/

Happy Holidays!

Celeste (Crickets)