Green Holiday Gift Guide

Do you rack your brain every year, trying to come up with the perfect unique gift? Does the over-consumption and stress of holiday shopping leave you less than jolly? Do you even remember what gifts you bought last year? Or better yet, what you received? Unless it was something awesome like an e-reader or a pony, you’ve probably long forgotten. This year, think simple, think efficient, think green. The following gift ideas are either made of renewable resources or help us in our daily living to save time while being kind to the planet. With something for everyone on your list, these ideas are not only efficient, affordable, and eco-friendly, but sure to be remembered. You may also be interested in our Top Ten Green Toys for the Holidays.

For the Foodie: Totally Bamboo Sushi Gift Set

Totally Bamboo Sushi Gift Set

Totally Bamboo is an innovator in creating cutting boards and other premium bamboo products from one of the most renewable sources available. Bamboo, which is harder than maple and won’t crack or peel, can be harvested every 3-5 years and does not need re-planting. The wood used by Totally Bamboo is hand-selected and does not come from the Giant Panda’s food source or habitat. This Sushi Gift Set includes a 9 1/2″ sushi plate, 2 pairs of twist chopsticks, 2 chopstick rests, and 2 two-inch dipping bowls. The attractive coloring is achieved by steaming the bamboo and will not fade or absorb water. No toxic stains or glue are used. Comes in an all-natural gift box.

The Totally Bamboo Sushi Gift Set sells for $29.50 on Amazon.

For the Commuter: Mobile Edge Eco-Friendly Canvas Messenger Bag

Devoted to exploring green alternatives, the Mobile Edge company has created a line of eco-friendly cases made out of all-natural cotton canvas. Efficient products from Mobile Edge are being featured on this season’s episodes of Glee. The Eco-Friendly Messenger Bag holds laptops up to 16 “. A separate, padded compartment keeps it protected. Other features include sections for files, a removable ID holder with multiple anchor locations, and a padded back panel and padded shoulder strap for comfort. Comes in a choice of green, red, black, and navy.

The Mobile Edge Eco-Friendly Canvas Messenger Bag is sold on Amazon for $35.39.

For the Gadget Lover: Etón FR160B Microlink Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio

Etón FR160B Microlink Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger

This self-powered radio from the award-winning Eton Corporation packs a lot of function into the palm of your hand. Power it by using the built-in rechargeable battery pack which can be charged by the hand crank or by the USB port. Or let the sun be your power source by using the water resistant, shatterproof, glass-enclosed solar panel. Other features include the USB phone charger which can charge your cell phone or mp3 player, 3 LED lights, AM/FM radio, and NOAA Weather Band. Reviewers on Amazon have rated this Eton radio a 4.5 star. This would also make a great gift for the camper or the tail-gater.

Sells for $29.55 on Amazon.

For the Busy Mom (or Dad):

Waste-Less Bags

These reusable shopping bags from Waste-Less Bags will come in handy for anyone on the go. They each hold 25 pounds and carry twice the amount of a plastic grocery bag. After use, they can be rolled up to a palm-sized, compact shape for storage. They are each coated with polyurethane which makes them durable and water-proof. The Waste-Less Bags come in a variety of fun colors and have received a 5-star rating on Amazon. These would also work great to use as a “wrapping” for your gift.

The Waste-Less Bags Variety Pack of 6 sells for $20.77.

For the Adventurer: REI Explorer Hat

REI Explorer Hat

Wait, is that the urban sombrero? Perhaps, but REI calls it the Explorer Hat. REI is a company committed to the planet and carries a line of eco-sensitive products. The REI Explorer Hat is made from organic cotton duck cloth, grown without the use of pesticides. Organic cotton duck cloth is durable, mildew-resistant, and breathable in warm or cool weather. Features brass snaps on each side to flip up the brim and an adjustable cotton chin cord. This hat is “crushable”, meaning you can flatten it or scrunch it up for storage and it will pop back into shape. The unisex design comes in a choice of 2 colors: dark khaki or gunmetal.

The REI Explorer Hat sells for $34.50.

For the Spa Lover: Slice of Nature Raw West African Shea Butter

Slice of Nature Raw West African Shea Butter

Personal care products from Slice of Nature are free from chemicals, preservatives, and fragrances. The Slice of Nature Shea Butter is 100% unrefined and organic, taken from the karite tree grown in West Africa. The many benefits of shea butter are not limited to moisturizing, but also include helping to reduce stretch marks, prevent wrinkles, remove scars, and soothe ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, and skin rashes. The most important aspect of Slice of Nature’s Shea Butter is that it’s unrefined, not processed.

A 4 oz. jar is sold on Amazon for $8.99.

For the Wine Connoisseur: Umbra Barrel Bamboo Wine Rack

Umbra Barrel Bamboo Wine Rack

Umbra makes contemporary design products for the home. An eco-friendly choice, this Barrel Bamboo Wine Rack is made of renewable and sturdy bamboo, which is mildew and moisture resistant and won’t split or crack. The unique circular frame holds up to 12 wine bottles saving valuable counter space and keeping wine bottles in the preferred horizontal position. It can be folded flat when not in use.

The Umbra Bamboo Wine Rack sells for $17.99 on Amazon.

For the Book Lover: Easy Green Living by Renee Loux

Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Home

Renee Loux, celebrity raw foods chef, author, eco-consultant, and television host of Fine Living’s It’s Easy Being Green, has written a comprehensive guide on how to make eco-conscious choices in our daily living. With chapters such as 5 Steps to a Green Kitchen, Natural Beauty: The Simple 7, and Energy Efficient Light Bulbs, Renee Loux teaches the reader how to make a home green with minimal effort and expense. She also includes charts, easy to follow step lists, recipes, and product suggestions. Amazon readers have given this book a 5 star rating.

The paperback version of Easy Green Living can be purchased on Amazon for $10.00.

For the Organic Gardener: Norpro 1 Gallon Stainless Steel Compost Keeper

Norpro 1 Gallon Stainless Steel Compost Keeper

If you know someone who’s passionate about organic gardening, chances are they’re passionate about compost as well. Composting is the act of decomposing organic materials for the purpose of fertilizing a garden.  The Norpro Compost Keeper holds unwanted kitchen scraps in an attractive countertop container before transferring to an outdoor composter. The charcoal filter provides odor control for up to 6 months. Measuring 10.5 x 8 x 8 inches, the Norpro Compost Keeper is perfect for storing vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and eggshells.

Sells on Amazon for $41.28.

For the One Who Has Everything: An Eco Friendly Gift Basket

Eco-Friendly Gift Basket

Feeling creative? Why not put together a gift basket of eco-friendly products. Throw in some rechargeable batteries, efficient light bulbs, and a flashlight. For the outdoorsy type how about some Pure Organic Snack Bars or non-toxic sunscreen. Some of the previous items on this list would work well also, such as the Waste-Less Bags and the Slice of Nature Shea Butter. And don’t forget the ultimate green by including an indoor houseplant. Put it all together in a reusable, all-natural basket such as the one pictured.

Reusing the stocking you stored away last year’s the greenest option, of course. But if you lost yours in a natural disaster or bad break up–or got a new pet–here are four efficient options to pick from.

Upcycled Handmade Stockings at Etsy

Etsy, the e-marketplace for all things handmade, is the go-to spot for cute eco-friendly stockings at reasonable prices. Rikrak (above) and Katiepatatey create gorgeous festive stockings out of ecospun felt, which is made out of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. WoolyWooly felts old sweaters into new holiday stockings, while XoElle uses vintage fabrics. Sesewsuckurtoe‘s even made a stocking out of repurposed pinstriped wool pants. Prices range from $7 – $32.

Amenity Trail Stocking

Made of a hemp-and-organic cotton blend fabric, Amenity’s Trail Stockings are sewn and hand printed in Los Angeles with water-based, eco-friendly inks in cocoa, gold, silver, or moss color. The classy stockings cost $55 each at Amenity.

TerraCycle Eco-Friendly Christmas Stockings

Pick between upcycled juice pouches or cookie wrappers for your Terracycle Eco-Friendly Christmas Stocking. Made by Terracycle, the eco worm-poop fertilizer company that’s now branching out into office and household products, these stockings cost just $19.99 a pair at Home Depot.

Dog and Cat Holiday Stockings

Pampered pets can get their own stockings, hand-crafted by artisans in Nepal who boil, beat, and roll natural sheared wool to create the fair trade felt products. As a bonus, each stocking comes with a toy in the front pocket: A felt bone for the doggie, and a moue for the kittie. Get yours at Global Exchange for $28.