ecofabulous Holiday Gift Guide 2008
Stumble It!Eco-Decorating: More than Your Tree Should be Green
When it comes to decorating for the holidays, green decor means more than hanging a pine wreath on the door. To start, research organic Christmas tree farms in your area by logging on to GreenPromise.com or LocalHarvest.com, both of which feature farm directories by zip code. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year, which means buying organically-grown trees is crucial in terms of reducing the amount of pesticides released into the atmosphere. Buying a live tree that can be replanted in your back yard is the best choice, but if you choose a cut tree be sure to recycle your tree responsibly. Many towns will chip trees to be used as mulch. Check earth911.com to find a recycling location near you.
To decorate your tree use LED lights, which consume significantly less energy than regular lights and last years longer. HolidayLEDS has a large selection in a variety of bulb shapes and sizes. And choose eco-friendly ornanments made from recycled materials. We love the christmas tree ornament ($12) made from recycled magazines from New Leaf Project, the angel ornament ($12) made from a recycled soda can from Ten Thousand Villages, recycled glass balls ($9 each) from One World Projects and these pretty recycled glass infused pottery ornaments ($7.50) from Paloma Pottery.
To decorate other areas of your home, check out the Organic Herb Wreath ($39.99) that you can eat after the holidays (talk about recycling!) and these amber and red recycled glass pebbles from Crate & Barrel, that can be used at the bottom of a vase, to dress up a candle holder or to add some bling to your holiday table, for under $10. We also love the Eco-Friendly Modern Menorah ($85) from Eco-Artware and these Fair Trade Menorah candles.
Recycled Wrapping and Compostable Cards
Wasted wrapping paper is not only one of Zem’s pet peeves, it is one of the more egregious eco sins committed around the holidays. If you must wrap (and we know most of you will) use biodegradable wrapping paper from the Green Event Shop. At $14 per roll, it is a bit more expensive than the average roll of holiday wrap but it is also prettier and will break down in your compost bin rather than landing in a landfill. Or, consider 100 percent recycled wrapping paper from Peaceful Valley Greetings, which comes in lots of pretty prints for the holidays and other occasions. The paper costs under $6 for two 20 x 26 inch sheets and two gift tags.
Holidays cards are another culprit, which is why we love the personalized cards from Minted (about $120 for 50 cards) and Night Owl Paper Goods ($2.25 per card), both of which are printed on 100 percent recycled FSC-certified paper. Or check out the line of hemp cards from Pristine Planet, which are printed using soy-based inks and can be recycled by planting them in the garden.
Or skip snail mail altogether and send an e-card from Mokugift.com, where for $1 you can send an electronic holiday greeting that funds the planting of a real tree through Sustainable Harvest.
Sustainable Stocking Stuffers
Stocking stuffers should not be an afterthought, especially when it comes to packing them with environmentally-friendly products. Natural beauty products are a natural fit, small and wonderful as most are. We like Juice Beauty’s Tinted Moisturizer ($29), which combines chemical-free, SPF 30 sun protection with certified organic white grape and pomegranate juices, vitamin antioxidants, and essential nutrients for maximum moisture, sheer coverage, and enough protection to keep your complexion juicy and beautiful. Or, make your princess even prettier by slipping a bottle of Priti nail polish in her stocking. The nail polishes, which retail for $12, are all free of toluene, formaldehyde, DPBs and other nasty chemicals found in other polishes.
Give your gift list some juice by adding a battery charger, which retail for about $11 and a pack of rechargeable batteries, for under $12. It is a great gift for almost anyone, considering the average person throws out at least eight household batteries per year, according to Environment, Health & Safety Online. Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of.
And for kids, pick up a mini-tube of Eco-Dough, an eco-alternative to Play-Doh, which is made with plant, fruit and veggie extracts and no chemicals, artificial dyes or metals. The containers are made from cornstarch and are 100 percent compostable. Also it doesn’t dry out like name brands. If it’s left out overnight just add a few drops of olive oil and it comes right back! For Hanukah, replace your traditional chocolate coins for an organic version from the Natural Candy Store. Or, if they were naughty this year instead of nice, slip some Soy Crayon Rocks ($7.50) into their stockings instead of coal.
And don’t forget the stocking stuffer staple, organic socks. We like these from EcoBodyWear, which come in a 3-pack for $16.49.
The Bah Hum Zum’s holiday ornament is made entirely of goat’s milk soap and makes a great holiday novelty. For only $6, the peppermint soap with a hint of almond oil can be hung on the tree or in your bath. Beware, it could inspire a shower rendition of “Jingle Bells.”
Gifts of the Next Generation of Green
If your teen insists on green (and we hope the next generation will!) and you are stumped as to how to meet her strict standards, look no further. We dig these Elf Earrings ($12) made from recycled soda cans and wire by Kenyan artisans from Ten Thousand Villages. Or this super cool Galaxy’s Sleeves skateboard from Comet Skateboard, which is made using sustainable bamboo and retails for $200.
If fashion is your teen’s cup of tea, check out this organic cotton Branch Tee from Mossimo (under $8), or the I’m Tired bracelet from a company that makes its jewelry from recycled tires and will donate 50 percent of the cost of the bracelet to the charity of your choice. And since gift giving