Story Created:
Dec 18, 2007
Story Updated:
Dec 19, 2007
Green Gifts
Shelley Walcott
You've got one week left to pick up those holiday gifts! Giving green is a big deal this year. We found some new, fun green gift ideas.
Twenty nine year old Emily Main is a city girl living the green life.
"I look for organic cotton. I buy reusable shopping bags so I don't have to carry plastic," Main explains.
This year, she's looking for Christmas gifts that are also a gift to the planet. Why?
"Because I've adopted a slightly more eco-friendly lifestyle than my family, and I like to nag them into being more conscious," Main says.
Emily's not alone. Chris Haack is a market researcher, and he says green gifting is red hot right now.
"The rising cost of oil, which is nearing $100 a barrel, has really made consumers think about what they can do to minimize their impact," Haack says.
But if eco-friendly gift ideas aren't coming to you naturally, you can use National Geographic's 'Green Guide'. Solvie Karlstrom works for the 'Green Guide'.
"You can find great little items that cost you less than $20," Solvie Karlstrom said.
You can also find extravagant gifts that cost over $2,000. Products run the gamut from specialty store finds to supermarket goodies.
"The best thing you can do is make sure you buy something that's not going to go to waste," Karlstrom says.
For the fashionista in your family, there's a 'ahimsa' scarf that is made from an alternative silk. So no silk worms were harmed during production. You can also find pesticide-free hemp hats.
Another popular choice this season? Anything that's 'fair trade'.
"Fair trade means that the producers, local artisans and growers are guaranteed a livable wage for the products that they produce," Karlstrom explains.
Fair trade coffee and chocolate can be found at almost any supermarket. Pair them with organic fruit and wine for a quick and easy gift basket.
For the cook in your life… there are cutting boards and Tupperware made from recycled plastic. And for the kids, try eco-artware's stuffed penguin made from old sweaters.
Top your gift off with cards and wrapping paper made out of recycled materials, and you'll have yourself a Merry 'Green' Christmas.
You can also go green with an 'experience' gift-- tickets to a play, music lessons, or just take a loved one to a nice dinner.
One easy way to help the environment-- scrap the wrap altogether. Put your gifts in reusable gift bags instead.