They say that the best thing to get someone is something that you know they want, but something they’d never get for themselves. Whatever you choose to gift a loved one with, consider making your purchase an eco-friendly one. Being green is in now, as people start to become aware of the effects of climate change and anyone would appreciate a green gift. Buying a green gift is buying a gift for your loved one, yourself and the earth. Money spent on green efforts supports the movement to help stop climate change and everyone benefits from that. I’ve compiled a list of the 5 most popular green gifts around. So when you’re considering what gift to give, think about giving green.

1. Organic Food

Tea, chocolate, coffee, wine–you name it! There’s an organic option for it. If you know a tea lover, get them an organic tea gift set. Chocolate lovers would love truly guilt-free chocolate and wine lovers will love sumptuous organic wine. Apart from all these things being healthier for the body and the environment, these green gifts are usually packaged quite beautifully and are very high quality. Whatever you choose, the quality of organic foods are sure to please your loved one.

2. Lightweight mountain bikes

A more specialized gift for someone sporty, lightweight mountain bikes are a brilliant gift. They are the priciest item on our list, but this gift has the ability to light up anyone’s face. Do you remember getting your first bike? Somehow, the joy of getting a new bike never dwindles with age. A lightweight mountain bike is a gift that’ll last for years and bring a multitude of fun and exercise for your loved one. Any kind of gift that can reduce carbon emissions would be a great green gift. In this case, a lightweight mountain bike is a great way to get around town and run errands and can contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

3. Organic Gift Sets

There are a multitude of gift sets available that are organic and green. The most popular types of gift sets include organic body and skin care gift sets that are pretty easy to find. You can also find organic haircare and perfume gift sets. All these items are extremely healthy for the body. My personal favourite is a Burt’s Bee’s Gift Set. Burt’s Bee’s makes exceptional products that are affordable and I just love their lip balms. I also love organic sea salt. The health benefits are absolutely amazing when you bath in organic sea salt. Practically everything your giftee is into, you can find in an organic gift set. Are they into crafts? You can find a craft gift set made of 100% recycled materials. Anything their into, you probably find in an eco friendly gift set.

4. Clothes Made of Organic Materials

Shirts, pants, beanies, shoes, scarves, bags–everything you can think of! They can be made out of organic materials. Organic Cotton an extremely popular fashion item as of late and you can find practically any kind of clothing and accessories that are made of organic cotton, hemp or recycled materials. Did you know you could buy vegetarian/vegan shoes? Asics and Vans make vegetarian & vegan shoes that are 100% cruelty free with absolutely no leather. You can even buy fashionable eco friendly bags that are incredibly cute and affordable.  If clothing is what’s on your mind, make it organic and cruelty free apparel and accessories.

5. Sun Jars

You may have heard that night lights are big energy wasters. That’s true. There are energy efficient night lights on the market right now to try and combat the amount of energy that’s burned through night lights. There’s been a push to eliminate the use of night lights all together, but in certain situations, that’s not a practical solution. If you have a new baby, for example, a night light is necessary. Children can be afraid of the dark and need a night light. Sun jars use zero energy and last for five hours after night fall. All you have to do is leave the sun jar out in daylight by placing them outside or by a window and it’ll automatically light up as soon as the sun goes down. It’s simple, fun and is friendly to the environment and your wallet.

6. Reusable Water Bottles

There’s a new dilemma regarding plastic water bottle waste. Plastic is not biodegradable. As a result, landfills are filling up with billions upon billions of empty water bottles that are going nowhere. They’re piling up and the problem gets worse day after day. One of the greatest eco friendly gifts you can give is a reusable water bottle. In addition, after time, plastic water bottles have a tendency of leaking chemicals from the plastic to the water which result in lower levels of testosterone and other hormones in the body. It’s an extremely practical and useful gift. Lately, it’s even been a fashionable trend as well. You can find lovely water bottles enamoured in art, inspirational versus or beautiful pictures. You can even personalise your water bottle gift–some water bottles can be fitted with personal photos. You can fill it up, use it, and save yourself hundreds of dollars, and prevent the growth of in-disposable plastic water bottles in our landfills.

7. Gift Certificate to Eco Friendly Stores

If you’re really nonplussed as to what to get, how about a gift certificate to a green store? They could choose whatever they want and you still have the benefit of giving them a green gift that they’ll appreciate. For example, if you think your loved one would appreciate make up and you obviously don’t know what to get, give her a gift certificate to Bare Escentuals or Josie Maran. Both are exceptional, high quality make up brands that are green. A gift certificate to organic stores are a great present for anyone, no matter the age.

8. Home Décor Made of Recycled Materials

You can buy practically anything for the home that’s eco friendly. From the bedroom to the kitchen, there are perfect gift items that are functional, lovely and eco friendly. There are eco friendly candles, bamboo decor items, organic linens, towels, pillows, recycled glassware and beautiful pieces of art that are all green, high quality, usable and lovely gift ideas.

9. Eco Friendly Jewellery

Quite simply, there are just beautiful pieces of jewellery that are made of recycled materials. It’s a perfect way to look beautiful inside and out. There recycled bracelets, earrings, and necklaces that are beautiful. The added benefit is the fact that usually green jewellery items are usually made with a bit more care. I have a huge collection of earrings. I know that though earrings may be lovely, they may be cheaply made. I’ve had quite a few pieces of jewellery break only after a few weeks because of it’s low end quality. Typically, producers of green products take great care in creating quality items, so buying green jewellery is quite often higher quality, lovely and most importantly, green.

10. Reusable Shopping Totes

Reusable shopping totes are a perfect example of gifts that someone would use, benefit from and would probably never get for themselves. Did you know that certain grocery chains offer you shopping credit if you bring in your own shopping bag? Well they do. Check with your local grocers to find out if they offer a similar deal. Shopping totes are gifts that keep on giving. Your loved one will rack up shopping points and you’ll be credited with helping the environment. Shopping totes can also be very fashionable. Many manufacturers make beautiful shopping totes to encourage shoppers to buy and some of them even look like they’re lovely handbags.

The choices are infinite, but few are beneficial to your loved one, the environment and yourself. Be wise and give green! And remember, use recycled gift wrap as well!!

Did you know?

Bathing in sea salt once has the same detoxifying effects as a 3 day fast! Sea salt stimulates natural cell growth, strengthens your immune system and detoxifies the body. Organic sea salt has been known to help people with skin problems, rheumatism and joint diseases.

-Miljean

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