Say you've reduced your consumption, as discussed in Chapter 3, to live a more earth-friendly lifestyle and have less stuff to deal with. (Feels good, doesn't it?) But when birthdays and holidays roll around, friends and family still expect gifts. There's nothing wrong with that—getting and giving presents is fun. But instead of playing the usual maybe-they'll-like-it-maybe-they-won't guessing game, you can choose gifts you know the planet will like. Here are some ideas:
Serve up an eco-friendly dinner. Make an occasion out of gift giving with a night out on the town. Can I Ever Eat Out Again? has suggestions for finding restaurants that serve organic and locally grown food. Or cook up a delicious dinner yourself from organic and locally grown foods.
Give an experience. A gift doesn't have to be something tangible that'll end up gathering dust on a shelf or in a closet somewhere. Use your imagination to give an experience that the recipient will love: a spa day, a hike, a visit to a museum, tickets to a concert or play—whatever. And if you go along, you're giving the gift of your company, too (not to mention sharing the fun).
Create coupons. Parents often appreciate homemade coupon books from their kids that can be redeemed for extra help around the house. With a little thought and creativity, the same idea can work for anyone on your gift list. Dog walking, car washing, lawn mowing, gardening—or anything you're good at that you could do for someone else. (Remember to use recycled paper for your coupons!)
Make a donation. A gift that's both thoughtful and helpful is donating to a charity in the recipient's name. Ask your friend or family member which causes they support, and donate accordingly. Or use the Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org), where you can search by category (animals, environment, health, and so on) to find a suitable charity.
Many charities and nonprofits have their own stores, so you can buy a gift and benefit the organization at the same time. For example, the National Geographic Society (shop.nationalgeographic.com), the World Wildlife Fund (http://wwf.org), and the Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org/store) all sell merchandise as well as memberships. Check your favorite environmental organization's website to see whether they do, too.
Make something. Homemade gifts are always appreciated. Whether it's food, a photo montage, or something else, you know it's environmentally friendly if you made it yourself.
See Repurposing: New Uses for Old Stuff for ideas of things you can make out of recycled and reused items.
Regift. When someone gives you a perfectly good item you don't want or can't use, pass it on to someone else who'll appreciate it. That's a gift that really keeps on giving.
Shop green. Browse through this chapter for places where you can buy fair-trade goods (What Is Fair Trade?), easy-on-the-earth clothes (Compassion in Fashion), and safe beauty indulgences (Green Health and Beauty Products). Or use the book's index to find other green products: cleaning supplies as a housewarming gift (Clean and Green: Environmentally Friendly Cleaning), biodegradable diapers for a baby shower (Cloth diapers), fun kids' toys (Clothing), and a whole lot more.
The National Resources Defense Council's Great Green Gift Guide (www.nrdc.org/cities/living/ggift.asp) has fun suggestions from NRDC staffers in a variety of categories, like Nature Lovers, Hot Rods, and Foodies.