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How to Green Your Gift Giving
By Jenn O'Brien |
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No matter what the time of year, there's always another holiday to cheers and another gift to give. If you're like most, it's hard to just do the very greenest thing: love. It cost nothing, but means everything. All cheesiness aside, follow these simple tips to having a greener gift-giving season:
1) A simple card will do: Giving a card made from bleached paper can be a kind gesture to the receiver, but the toxins from the bleach leak harmful chemicals into the ozone. Buying a card that is made from recycled paper from your local retailer or from internet retailers, like paporganics.com and zazzle.com, is earth friendly and easy on your budget. As always, buying in bulk will save on the shipping and packaging in the long run. If you'd like to DIY, buy organic card stock and create your own cards for each celebration. If your card has a gift to go along with it, you can also purchase wrapping paper, tissue paper, boxes, and gift bags that are organic from national retailers, like Target, and online (paporganics.com).
2) A little present goes a long way: The gift you give can say a thousand words. It doesn't have to be over-sized or even abundant. Who wants 12 pairs of socks anyway? Giving someone something that is usable and small will help you save the environment and your budget. For instance, if you'd like your friend to try out Burt's Bee's, give them a small travel package with numerous items to test out. Later, you can ask them which item they liked the best and perhaps give the larger size to them at a later time.
3) What's mine is yours: Freecycling to those you love is a great way to reuse what you have and bless someone else at the same time. Instead of just giving an old sweater away, decorate it in a way you think they would love and re-gift it. Puffy paint may be a little out-of-date, rather cutting shirts, adding logos, or even turning an item into something completely new is anything but old news. By reusing something that you may have otherwise given to goodwill, you're giving to someone close to you and sharing a great concept with them as well.
4) It's not new, but it's well-loved: Often times you can find whatever you're looking for as a gift for a lot cheaper that's still in great condition. Before you head out to the store and buy something straight from the shelf. Or click away to something new online, look for it pre-loved. You never know, if you have a certain budget in mind, you might even be able to get something for them better than you expected by buying it used. If you're buying an item offline, check the seller's return policy. Especially if it's a used gadget, be sure you can receive a refund (or a manufacturer's warranty) if the item does not work as promised. And remember, usually thrift and vintage stores have a no refund or exchange policy to be aware of.
5) Green your gift-receiving: Now that you know how to green your gift-giving, it's important to green your gift receiving. Take no shame in the fact that you only want eco-friendly gifts. Period. First, share with friends and family that you're reducing everything you have (if you have a party, you can even display a table with items you're freecycling, like books or CDs). Tell them you don't need much, but if they'd like to give you something you'd love fill-in-the-blank (give them a list of specific items you'd like) if they have it. If you ask for an item you know they own and may have too many of (an old camera, a pair of cowboy boots you love, a piece of art), they'll be more likely to honor your wishes. You can even tell them a gift that is homemade is better than anything store-bought. And the greenest thing you can do is tell them you just one your love. Okay, okay, and maybe grab a cup of oraganic tea or coffee.
*About the Author: For the author's wedding, she requested that only cards, home-made presents, recycled camping gear, or an item on branchhome.com be given. It worked out splendidly and a little bit of the environment was saved that day.
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