reusing

If you’re shopping for Birthday, celebratory milestone, or holiday gifts, there are alternatives to purchasing “more stuff.”  There are plenty of options that are meaningful, personal, and eco-friendly.

Consider giving an experience, such as tickets to an event, such as the movies, a local team sport, or live performance.  Or membership to a place or cause that is important to the gift recipient, like a museum, botanical gardens, or amusement park.  If you’re the type that likes to give a gift that has something tangible to open, visit the gift shop of that destination, online or in person, to purchase a small gift — a stuffed toy, water bottle, or key chain, for example. You can attach the gift card or electronic receipt to it, so you can present them with a wrapped gift.

Some experiences can be from the heart instead of the wallet.  Offer to babysit for a mom who would enjoy a break, make dinner for your grandfather who’s on his own, or teach a skill like knitting or wood-working for someone who’s always wanted to learn.  Create a gift certificate to make it more official.  Microsoft has free templates here that you can personalize by filling in the blanks.

However, there are also eco-friendly gifts that are clever and useful.  Sustainable products are very trendy and readily available:

• Earthy Child uses plastic grocery bags and donated yarn for knitting and crocheting bags, hats, clothes, and mermaids.
• Hamilton Perkins Collection upcycles vinyl billboards into beautiful and fashionable totes, backpacks, and bags of all shapes and sizes.
• A ministry called Peace Cycle offers tote bags, bibs, and purses made from discarded plastic.
• Green Spot Shop is an Etsy shop that makes and sells washable sponges, cloth napkins, and reusable makeup wipes.
• Eco Maniac Company, offers many reusable alternatives to single-use plastics, and other Fair-Trade gifts.

Hope these ideas help you with your gift-giving choices.  We know they’ll help the environment!