Green Options » gifts

For the Naughty Ones on Your Holiday List: Santa’s Coal and Snowman Poop

Wenona Napolitano — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:20:48 +0000

Here’s a fun stocking stuffing gift for those who have been a little naughty this year: Sweet Soaps Santa’s Coal and Snowman Poop soaps.

Sure to get the message across while garnering a smile these fun soaps will make perfect eco-friendly stocking stuffers.

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The Search for the Best Green Idiot-Proof Wallet

Terri Bly — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:39:15 +0000

Last week, I had my wallet stolen for the second time in two months. This most recent wallet was a really cute one from Vy & Elle (at left), but now it’s gone, and I’ve decided that it’s just too depressing to purchase the same one again. Instead, I’m viewing this as an opportunity to do a comprehensive search for another fabulous eco-friendlier wallet; pretending, if you will, that this is just part of my job, rather than a huge hassle on top of all of the other hassles that come with having one’s wallet stolen.

After spending hours narrowing down my choices to 6 very cute, very functional options, I thought I would turn the decision part over to you. Below, in alphabetical order, are the finalists. If you find them all thoroughly underwhelming, please post any recommendations and I will certainly take a look! Who knows - by my calculations, I’m due for another pickpocketing event in early January, so I’ll need some good ideas for the next one, too.

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Species by the Thousands

Emily Konkler — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:50:58 +0000

Dear Santa-

All I want for Christmas is every available piece from Species by the Thousands. What’s that you say Santa? What is Species by the Thousands? Only the most unique jewelry/clothing line that uses recycled materials, including scrap metal. And Santa? Feel free to drop some SBTT jewelry into other chimneys as well. Designer, Erica Bradbury and her rockin’ line, really understand the eco-friendly movement and the way it should transition to mainstream.

Sincerely,

A Very Good Girl Named Emily

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Smell Like a Goddess with Auric Blends

Wenona Napolitano — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:07:46 +0000

If you crave the exotic, Auric Blends Goddess Scents are for you. They are 100% natural blended with exotic essential oils, resins and absolutes to bring out the goddess in every woman. Each unique scent is named after the goddess that inspired the aroma.

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Green Holiday Gifts: CarbonFree Certified Coffee Gift Boxes

GO Media Sponsor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:54:42 +0000

If you’re looking for an easy gift idea that supports your ideals and is delicious while doing it, we recommend sending gift boxes from Grounds for Change to the coffee lovers on your list this year! Every single bean that they roast is Fair Trade Certified, Organic Certified, CarbonFree Certified and Shade Grown, which means the possibility of a real livelihood for coffee growers, a breath of fresh air for the planet, zero net carbon emissions from “crop to cup” and healthy forests for migratory songbirds.

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Handmade Holidays: Recycled Felt Journal Cozy

Becky Striepe — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:51 +0000

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!

If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!

Really, it was like kismet. My girlfriend’s birthday brunch was on Sunday, and on Saturday my booth at the Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp was right next to the lovely Lightdaughter Press. Since my friend is back in school, I picked up one of their journals printed with “Today you will be happier than a bird with a french fry” printed on the cover. To make the gift extra special, I decided to make her a little cozy to keep it in along with her favorite pen. I just love that her gift is a combination of a purchased handmade item and something handmade by me!

Want to make your very own journal cozy? Here’s how!

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World Wildlife Fund’s Holiday Gift Center

Lucille Chi — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:25:57 +0000

Save endangered species in style together with WWF’s Holiday Gift Center.

“Make a donation to support WWF’s worldwide conservation efforts and select a special WWF themed thank-you gift.” too!

Now WWF offers stylish jute bags, pajama pants, large recycled and reusable totes, boxers, hats, reusable cups, pet items and stocking stuffers galore.

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H2Go Fuel Cell Car Makes Great Eco Christmas Gift for Kids (and Dad)

Andrew Williams — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:44:25 +0000

OK, I know this isn’t strictly the type of car that you’re used to hearing about on Gas 2.0. For starters, you can’t even drive it. But, with Christmas looming just around the corner, I couldn’t resist writing about this funky little hydrogen fuel cell-powered remote-control car.

Called the H2Go, this is a toy car aimed at teaching kids about alternative energy in a fun and exciting way. Forget falling for the classic disappointment of (duh) forgetting the batteries and having to wait till the shops open, this little number runs on a combination of solar and zero-emission hydrogen.

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Neroli Rose Green Gifts for the Holidays

Wenona Napolitano — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:31:59 +0000

Neroli Rose products are made with hydrating shea butter from Southern Sudan. Sudanese Shea Butter is thought to be the finest natural moisturizer in the world.

“In Sudan, shea butter is called Lulu, meaning ‘treasured pearl’. Sudanese women process their Lulu by hand, using an ancient, cold-pressed technique that retains the highest concentrations of Vitamins A and E. The butter is produced from the nuts of shea trees that grow wild, deep within the Sudanese forests, untouched by chemicals or fertilizers. This rare shea butter from the Nile Basin is so nutritious, it serves as a food staple for the Sudanese people during the dry season.”

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Dazzle Dry Toluene, Phthalate, and Formadehyde Free Finger Nail Polish

Wenona Napolitano — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:31:09 +0000

The Dazzle Dry Nail Polish System is made for the “on the go lifestyle”. The really great thing about the quick drying Dazzle Dry Nail System is that it contains no harmful chemicals. It is free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, and camphor and is also nitrocellulose free (this is the stuff that turns your nails yellow).

The Dazzle Dry formula is also Vegan and Non-Toxic.

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Sweet Riot Dark Chocolate: Because You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Terri Bly — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:19:57 +0000

You may be wondering what chocolate has to do with beauty and fashion. It’s simple: Even the most gorgeous makeover and hottest fashion-forward ensemble won’t look right if you’re all frowny. You’ll also get those pesky little lines between your eyebrows. So what better to turn that frown upside down than an adorable little tin jam packed with adorable, dark chocolate-covered cacao niblets?!

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Eco-Stocking Stuffer Alert: Lip Balms Make Great Stocking Stuffers

Wenona Napolitano — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:46:50 +0000

Miserable winter weather, harsh winds, bitter cold…all that can do a number on sensitive lips.

That’s why lip balms make great gifts.

Stick some eco-friendly lip balms in some one’s stocking this year.

Several companies offer delightful organic lip balms in numerous lip smacking flavors that will leave lips soft, smooth, and totally kissable.

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Handmade Holidays: Wrapping Gifts using Furoshiki

Becky Striepe — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:38 +0000

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!

There are lots of ecofriendly gift wrap options out there if you’re feeling the traditional, paper wrapping thing. If you want to branch out a bit, though, you might try wrapping some gifts this year using the traditional Japanese method furoshiki. Here’s how!

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Eco-Stocking Stuffer Alert: The Joy of Soap

Wenona Napolitano — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:01:05 +0000

The holidays are creeping up faster than any of us would probably like. Before Halloween is even over the stores are already putting up winter holiday displays. As always I try to start early though I hardly ever do. Time just flies by so fast.

But I have been keeping an eye out for great eco-friendly products that are reasonably priced (like $25 and under) that would make great gifts and stocking stuffers.

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Licking My Lips: Dark Chocolate Orange Lip Balm from KokoKahn

Wenona Napolitano — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:55:45 +0000

I can’t keep this stuff on my lips! It is so delicious I keep licking it right off. Thank goodness it is natural, safe and full of organic ingredients and not any petroleum by-products.

The Dark Chocolate Orange lip balm by Kokokahn has to be one of the best tasting lip balms I have ever used. At one time I never would have believed that orange and chocolate was a tasty flavor combination but since trying it, it’s almost up there with chocolate and raspberry which is my most favorite flavor combo.

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Elemental Seaweed Body Scrub from Donah’s Passions

Wenona Napolitano — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:02:44 +0000

I had the chance to sample some of the amazing products from Donah’s Passions, and while all the products are wonderful, my favorite by far is the Elemental Seaweed Body Scrub.

If you love a good body scrub this one is for you because not only will it make your skin look and feel glorious it will make you feel better inside as well.

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Fun Housewarming Gifts by Fuz, all Made of Recycled Materials

Lucille Chi — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:15:33 +0000

Offered in recycled wool felt as well as black recycled rubber, these Fuz hug placemats make a darling housewarming gift. Pop-up place mat designs are creative recycled tableware at it’s best.

Perfect for kids that are restless at meal time, these playful mats feature four mats with two boys and two girls, for dinner and a puppet show! Fuz says “Built-in Napkin Hugs call these placemats home. Pop them out and put them to work.”

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Alkemie Reclaimed Metal Amulets Made with Love in LA

Lucille Chi — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:50:10 +0000

WWD Centerfold grazing amazing husband/wife design team Alkemie creates adornments for the body, all constructed of 100% reclaimed metal. Every Alkemie piece is made by hand, with love, in Los Angeles.

I like this owl ring as “the owl has long been thought of as a symbol of wisdom & a symbol of the feminine.” Interesting, enchanted myths, and ancient stories accompany each elegant piece.

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PACT Organic Underwear Gives 10% of all Revenue to Oceana, ForestEthics and 826 National

Lucille Chi — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:22:17 +0000

Next time you’re ready for new underwear try PACT, they make super organic underwear and donate 10% of all revenue to helping the seas through Oceana, the trees with ForestEthics and 826 National for literacy. Three great ways to help, with undies!

Branded by fuseproject their motto is change starts with your underwear. Unmentionables are worth mentioning when they can save the world with special (buying) power.

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Fair Trade, Organic and Sustainable Nightwear Collection from People Tree

Lucille Chi — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:41:03 +0000

“For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there’s an equally beautiful change happening somewhere in the world” ~ Peopletree.co.uk

People tree is an exemplary model of “think global, act local” in sustainable fashion. With a strong business base in Europe and Asia, they work internationally with small handicraft makers in nearly twenty countries. Each textile collective is different. For example, in the nightwear collection highlighted above, they feature Nepalese hand-knit slipper socks together with these well constructed organic nighties made in India.

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