One of my best girl friends is getting married in mid-October and we, the rest of the gang are being left high and dry for getting her a wedding gift, because the bride says, “Your presence will be the best present.” So sweet of her, but no, we don’t attend wedding ceremonies and dinners without a gift. And since the bride is somebody who is an “environmentalist” at heart, I’d suggest that we get her some green.
Following are TreeHugger’s recommendations of how to green your gifts:
- Ensure the material gift will be used. It may be the thought that counts, but a gift that the receiver does not use is simply wasted: which is not a very nice thought, is it?
- Give a consumable gift.
- Share a piece yourself.
- Avoid material consumption altogether. Instead, offer time and effort to organize games and the reception of the wedding.
- Make a gift of a green service.
- Eco-gift giving. Buy locally grown or organically grown fruits, and invest a bit more in a quality basket that will be a fine addition to the household goods of your lucky recipient.
- Shop for the gift carefully. Minimize the impact on the environment of your gift shopping. Use public transport, walk or bike to the shops. And bring a reusable bag to carry your finds.
- Buy a local gift. Gifts made or grown locally can tell a story or share a unique product you have discovered on your own stomping grounds. Your locally-sourced gift will save the environment from the emissions involved in shipping.
- Buy high quality goods. Sometimes a little extra care or money invested will result in finding a high quality gift that will do justice to the materials consumed in the manufacturing by a long lifespan.
- Think about the packaging. Use packaging that will not go to waste. Your packaging may be part of the gift itself, such as wrapping the gift in a scarf or enclosing it in a box that can be reused for collecting life’s odds and ends. Reusable wrapping, such as a gift bag, will pass on the fun. For family and close friends, consider the Sunday funnies instead of commercial gift wrap.
Do you have other green ideas? What “green” thing would you get your friend?
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Making your own gifts are wonderful. I hope the three people whom I’m making gifts don’t find this post, because I’m going to give them each a gift of a story, on coloured paper I have lying in my house. Am still wondering whether I should rub the scent of vanilla from the scented candles on them, or just seal said envelopes with wax from the edges of the candle. AKA Not lighting the candle up. :P
You make your own gifts, Pat? WOW, I’m impressed. I mean, I’ve never had crafty fingers, I can’t make my own gifts, in fact, I’ve got very mediocre wrapping (gifts) ability, LOL.
What a great post! I really like online shops such as globalgirlfriend.com and worldofgood.com, which both sell fair trade and eco friendly gifts. But Zanisa.com really takes the cake when it comes to stylish, earth friendly gifts.
Hope this helps!
That Treehugger guy sure gets around. I wonder if he ever sleeps or maybe there’s more than one Treehugger. LOL.
One of the worst party situations for excess gifts full of excess packaging is kids parties!
All good ideas from the treehugger. Enjoy the wedding. :)
I am a bad gift-giver. I always run out of ideas when it comes to giving someone a gift. Last time when I had to get a gift for a close friend on his birthday, I spent whole week fretting about what to get for him, and couldn’t decide on anything until the very last moment.
Though, that just-in-time gift was also decided by other friends ;)
Thanks for the advice. It might come useful in future.
Thanks for the links, Jennifer :) I’ll definitely check them out!
I’d like to think that there is more than one Treehugger, Matt :) It takes a village to produce that impressive amount of articles and tips and what-nots, you know :)
Actually, I’m also not a very good gift-giver (is there such a word?!). But I try to think of the person I’m giving the gift to whenever I shop for somebody. It helps, you know, try it :)
These are great green tips. Thank you for sharing them.
No problem, Susan. I hope they’re beneficial to you!
Late reply, but no, I don’t usually create gifts unless I have no money/time to shop. If I do get them gifts, I normally put the practical over the whimsical, as at least the practical will last them longer than the whimsical.
And my gift-wraps are rather mediocre too! I have much better luck using stuff I have around the house that I have no more use for. :P
I thought the following might be of interest to you and your readers. I work with a non-profit organization called Oxfam America, which works to fight worldwide poverty through long-term relief efforts. If you are thinking of giving a charitable gift this holiday season turn to http://www.OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com, where you will find dozens of gifts to fit anyone’s personality. At Oxfam America Unwrapped you can buy a camel, a cow, plant a garden or any symbolic gift that helps people in need. Give back this holiday season with Oxfam America Unwrapped!
Thanks!!