Holiday Gift Guide: Green Gifts That Don't Cost A Cent
Feeling the pinch this holiday season? Most of us are. And sadly, one thing I’ve noticed this year is that the economy has brought holiday spirit to an all time low. But if there is one thing we should all remember this holiday, its that you don’t need wads of cash to celebrate the joys of the season. More often than not, its the simple, non-commercial gifts, that are most appreciated. And these are gifts that come from the heart, not the pocketbook. Need some ideas? Here are some great green holiday gifts that won’t cost you a cent:
You’ve Got Talent
What’s your talent? Can you sew? Shovel a driveway? Design a website? Cook a meal? Everyone’s got a talent…and you can use yours to cross off names on your holiday gift list. Write a poem for your grandma, give your sister-in-law a stack of redeemable babysitting coupons, or offer to walk you neighbor’s dog for a month. The list of ideas is endless, but the key is to find a way to share your talents with those you love. (Psst…that, by the way, is the true meaning behind the holidays!)
DIY IT
Handmade gifts are always welcome, especially in these rough economic times. So instead of spending a stressful afternoon at the stores, stay home and bake a few batches of cookies or some warm yummy bread. Sew some reusable tote bags…they make for an easy green gift, and you can raid your supply of old t-shirts and worn out clothes for the fabric. Here are some more handmade holiday gift ideas:
Donate
You can still see to it that your favorite charities are remembered by searching or shopping at sites that donate with each click. Surf over to GoodShop where you can choose from more than 800 shops, including some big names like Target, Apple, Macy’s, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, and Petco. GoodShop will donate up to 37% of the purchase price to your favorite charity. Another option? Let GoodSearch be your search engine and the site will donate one penny to a charity of your choosing with every click.
This post was my contribution to this month’s Green Moms Carnival. Please be sure to check out all of the posts in this carnival for more ideas about going green for the holidays!
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Anything and everything seems to be getting in the way of meaningfully discussing in an adequately reality-oriented manner the predicament that appears before humanity. This primarily and distinctly human-driven predicament is already visible, even now, on the far horizon.
If you please, your assistance is requested.
Seven days ago the “AWAREness Campaign on the Human Population” submitted an idea for how we think the Obama Administration could change America. It’s called “Ideas for Change in America.”
I’ve submitted an idea and wanted to see if you could vote for AND COMMENT on it. The title is: “Accepting human limits and Earth’s limitations”. You can read, vote for and comment on the idea by clicking on the following link:
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/accepting_human_limits_and_earths_limitations
Fourteen votes are been received so far. That is about 2 votes per day. If you agree, then vote. If you disagree, please comment. Of course, should you wish to vote AND COMMENT, please feel free to do so.
The top 10 ideas are going to be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day and will be supported by a national lobbying campaign run by Change.org, MySpace, and more than a dozen leading nonprofits after the Inauguration.
Thanks for any assistance you choose to provide.
Sincerely yours,
Steve
Steven Earl Salmony
AWAREness Campaign on The Human Population,
established 2001
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I think you have exampled some awesome low cost, lovely green holiday gifting ideas!
These are all great ideas that help remind us of the meaning of the holidays. I work with a number of nonprofits so especially appreciate your inclusion of the suggestion to donate to a favorite charity. Donations are down and many sources of grant funding are looking shaky at best. At the same time many organizations, especially those in social services, are seeing a spike in requests.
Many nonprofits can make a little money go a long way but some are not as frugal. I encourage people to visit Charity Navigator to find well-run organization that supports a cause important to them.
Not free but low cost and green
TickleMe Plant
I simply throw in a packet of TickleMe Plant seeds with each Holiday greeting Card I mail out. Most people are very surprised they can grow a plant that moves when you tickle it from seeds. The leave rapidly close and even the branches MOVE when tickled. I got the birthday party special so the seed packets were very inexpensive and its the same price as mailing the card itself! I found it on line
at http://www.ticklemeplant.com
I’ve been thinking about this lately so thanks for some neat ideas.
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You got a really useful blog. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Regards, Jacob Clarke @ tinypocketpeople
These are great ways to save money and help the environment. You can also get cheap gifts/toys year round that are made with sustainable materials, by sustainable processes.
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