Environmentally Conscious Gift Ideas

-- Quote of the Day -- 

"One of the secrets of life

Is that all that is really worth doing

Is what we do for others."

~ Lewis Carroll

-- More than 20 Environmentally Conscious Gift Ideas --

 Have some fun with the list of ideas below for stocking-stuffers and gifts that can have a positive impact on your local community, and society as a whole. Don't forget to check out our e-book - Trash Talk, It's Easy To Be Green via www.brummet.ca - which offers tips for greening every day. 

- Gift certificates: wine making shop, used bookstore, music lessons, etc.

- Membership: golf, gym, spa, massage therapist.

- Baskets of healthy foods.

- Services: Dog walking, babysitting, housecleaning, etc.

- Yellow CFL’s for exterior lighting that is energy efficient and reduces bugs around entrances or seating areas.

- Slippers/sweaters (the recipient is less likely to turn up thermostat).

- Family recipe book (w/photos of family).

- Give or purchase a living tree (it removes carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, ozone and nitrogen oxides from the air). A living Xmas tree can be donated to individuals, the city, schools or parks when the season is over. Alternatively, plant it in your own yard for privacy, shade or erosion control. 

- Toys and games with positive environmental or education values and those that emphasize cooperation, exploration or creative thinking.

- For the new homeowner - thermostat control that automatically turns the heat down at night and tubes of caulking or weather stripping. Hot water tank and hot water pipe insulation kits are another good option.

- A low flow shower head attachment, sink faucet aerators, timers and soaker hoses for landscaping irrigation, a rain barrel. 

- A draft cozy (placed in front of doors to prevent drafts).

- Dimmer switches or compact fluorescent bulbs; don’t forget those 3-way CFL bulbs for lamps. 

- For the gardener - subscription to an organic gardening magazine or a membership to a seed organization. Bird, bat and butterfly houses, baths and feeders – or the patterns to build them. A composting worm bin or a membership with an environmental group.

- Tickets to a performance, restaurant gift certificates or services such as lawn care and tree pruning, cloth diaper laundry services, house cleaning, music lessons, exercise or dance classes, dog training classes, tune-up or tire rotation services.

 

- Dehydrated, canned or preserved foods, especially those you have grown, make excellent gifts. Frozen homemade meals are treasured gifts for time-suppressed or physically limited individuals.

- Brazil or cashew nuts as they promote a living forest.

- Inspiring or educational books (i.e. Towards Understanding or Trash Talk (1st edition, paperback – by Dave and Lillian Brummet)

- A reusable coffee filter and whole organic coffee beans.

- If you choose to purchase electronics, consider those powered by solar or rechargeable batteries.

- For holiday photo memories, avoid disposable cameras. Instead use a digital camera and load directly to your own computer and CD burner. Alternatively, use a normal camera and have the pictures put on CD’s at the development outlet. By choosing CD’s you reduce chemicals, paper and cost associated with printing. For non-digital cameras,  use 36-exposure film rolls and reduce both packaging and waste.

 

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio program, newsletter, blogs, and more at: www.brummet.ca 

 * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, or purchasing a book - each book sold raises funds for charity as well!