Christmas can be a tricky time for those trying to be green. On one hand, if we were really serious about saving the earth, we would be buying and consuming less—meaning, no gifts. While this might be great for our recession strapped pocketbooks, if we don’t buy Christmas gifts, our friends and relatives boo, hiss, and call us Scrooge. Do we save some carbon … or our reps?
The solution, I think, is to take the three R approach to gift giving. Ask yourself:
Does this gift help Reduce waste?
Is it Reusable?
Is it made from Recycled materials?
By staying mindful of these criteria, you can help that plastic consuming, oil-guzzling, waste-producing friend or relative take a step toward sustainable living—and keep your green piece of mind intact. And don’t think it’s a sacrifice; there are some seriously great gifts on this list.
Local Farms=Global Goodness
What if you could give the people on your gift list a weekly basket full of seasonal fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and other locally grown goodies, all for about fifty dollars per month? A Community Supported Agriculture subscription does just that. Located throughout the country, these subscriptions support local farmers and sustainable growing practices, while greatly reducing the amount of distance food has to travel. A great gift for the foodie.
Fuel is Cruel; I Like to Bike
Reducing our reliance on cars is one of the best ways to curb carbon emissions. Plus, giving a bicycle as a gift will ensure the people you love stay active and healthy—as long as they use it. That’s why they need a novice-friendly bike, like these multi-purpose Breezer bikes, which can be used for running errands, commuting, and plain old fun. If you’re looking to recycle and are handy with a monkey wrench, buy a used bike off Craigslist, refurbish it, and give it as a gift. For the biking aficionado already on your list, these bottle openers, bowls, and clocks, all made from recycled bicycle parts, are awesome gifts.
