These 15 green gift ideas will help you finish up (or start!) your holiday shopping so you can move on to more important things like relaxing and enjoying a well-deserved holiday break. Teachers, friends, hostesses, kids, family members, and even neighbours, there's something for everyone in this list, for everyone on your list.
Once you have your gifts, here are some eco-friendly gift-wrap ideas [1] to make them extra special.
Ecojot Journals
I always include Ecojot journals and stationery when I recommend gifts because I love them (and have a lot of my own!). All Ecojot products are printed with vegetable based ink on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
Available at Chapters Indigo [2]
Bamboo Coasters
These hand-finished, classy coasters are made from sustainably harvested bamboo and are free from toxins. A perfect hostess gift!
Available at Giving Gifts [3]
Organized Crime The Mischief Wine
Any wine love will appreciate a bottle of good wine as a gift, this one organic wine will not disappoint. If you have a beer lover to buy for, Mill St. makes a great organic beer [4].
Available at The LCBO [5] (outside of Ontario, check at your local wine store)
Purdy's Chocolates
All of Purdy's chocolates are handmade in Vancouver and are made from sustainable cocoa. You can't go wrong with any of their treats.
Available at Purdy's [11]
Canvas Storybook Set
Yur arts and crafts lover will love have fun with this DIY storybook set that comes with paints, fabric, ribbons - everything needed to create a one-of -a-kind storybook art project.
Available at Eko Bear [12]
Solar Racing Car
Give your kids a little education in how solar energy works by having them build their own car that runs on solar power.
Available at Grassroots [13]
Natural Nail Polish
My kids love nail polish and I think yours may too! Go for a natural polish like Piggy Paint. It contains no harmful fumes and safer ingredients.
Available at Eko Bear [14]
Positive Vibrations Headphones
I was gifted with some Marley headphones a few years ago and they are one of my favourite things to this day. I use them A LOT. They make music sound amazing and the bonus is that they are made with recycled aluminum.
Available at House of Marley [15]
Fluid Watch
This watch is made with sustainable canvas fabric, a recycled plastic enclosure, and sustainably harvested FSC birch wood. Not to mention, it's nice to look at.
Available at House of Marley [16]
Sweet Tooth Gift Set
Don't let the name fool you, this set is not to eat! Although when you smell the sugared almond bar soap and the vanilla body butter, you may want to!
Available at Purple Urchin Soap [17]
Christmas Chaos Time Out Set
Because let's face it, anyone would appreciate a little time out from the holiday craziness! This set is filled with organic and fair trade goodies including coffee and chocolate.
Available at Ten Thousand Villages [18]
Personalized Bamboo USB Drive
Handmade using bamboo, these made-to-order 4GB USB drives can be personalized to say whatever you'd like.
Available at etsy [19]
Homemade Food Gifts
Gifts made in your own kitchen can be anything from cookies [20], to fudge [21], all the way to homemade Bailey's [22]. Homemade gifts are inexpensive to make and are extra special because you took the time to make your gift yourself. And don't forget to present your homemade treats in reusable or recyclable packaging!
Click here to find homemade food gift ideas and recipes [23].
Birdsong Kati Cup
For the tea lover in your life, this pretty cup is double-walled so it keeps hot drinks hot and comes with a removable stainless steel tea infuser
Availabe at terra20 [24]
After working for many years as a successful tech writer, Gwen decided to leave that world behind to become a stay-at-home mom to her two children. Soon after, she started paying more attention to what was in the products she brought into her home and realized that it was not all good. She stepped into action and educated herself on exactly what is safe, and what is not. Once she decided on the products she liked, she soon learned that it was no easy task to find these things in one convenient place so this was when she decided to open up an online eco-store. After all, she couldn’t be the only parent out there who had this problem, right?
After six very rewarding years of being a store owner and being immersed in the "green world," Gwen made the bittersweet decision to close down her popular online shop.