Earth Savvy and Unique Gift Suggestions To Carry You Through This Holiday Season

Originally Published November 20, 2013    The holidays are fast approaching and once again you find yourself agonizing over finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday gift list. And of course the gifts you choose need to make positive lasting impressions on family and friends rather than negative ones on the environment. No need to struggle as the wide selection of ecofriendly products available encompasses suitable gift choices for everyone on your holiday list. The key is to read labels and look for items that are certified organic, use natural ingredients, and are made from sustainable fibers. Some materials that are environmentally friendly include organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, modal, recycled plastic, recycled glass, herbs, flowers, and essential oils. Saving you time and effort, we’ve researched holiday gifts that are both ecofriendly and unique. Best news yet for you earth savvy shoppers… all items can be purchased online, saving you time, reducing fuel use, and avoiding the crowded malls! Here are our ecofriendly holiday gift suggestions:

1. Limited Edition Hands & Feet Organic Spa Gift Set - A lovely at home organic spa treat, this gift set is so luxuriously healthy for her and the environment. Two rich sumptuous creams come in a laser-etched Birch Box. Box is handmade in the US and is a lovely keepsake. The gift set products are organic, gluten-free, and cruelty free and includes;

2. Recycled Glass & Sterling Silver Pear Shaped Necklace - Spread the solar-energy news with sunlight in a drop of recycled glass. Concentric silver forms spotlight the droplet of recycled glass in this Pear Necklace. Pear pendant is 1 7/8inches and comes on an 18″ or 20″ sterling silver cable chain. Made in the USA of recycled materials.

3. Bamboo Ecolux Capri Pant - This sweet capri length pant will be what she reaches for to slip on when relaxing at home. Even though the Ecolux Lace Capri Pant is designed for sleeping – with the stretch fit, comfort waistband and lace at the hems – she’ll want to spend every evening around the house wearing them. So soft, comfortable, and ecofriendly, pant is made from bamboo. Matching camisole available.

4. Natural Herbal Aftershave - If he has problems shaving, this product is the answer. Using an age-old process, a select blend of natural fresh herbs is brewed for weeks and then strained multiple times resulting in a golden serum which cools and soothes newly shaven skin. Leaves skin virtually free of irritation. Aloe is then added to moisturize and soften skin. Made from natural ingredients: SD alcohol 40 (natural source), witch hazel extract, aloe vera, yarrow, calendula, german chamomile, elder flower, bay, rose, peppermint, lavender, lemon, essential oils. He’ll love the soothing feel and choice of available scents.

5. Men’s Twill Drawstring Hemp Pant - Versatile and ultra-comfortable this Twill Drawstring Pant is in a superior hemp/cotton blend that’s wrinkle-free. Gusseted crotch and double-needle construction stand up to hiking, yard work, or his next adventure. Elastic waistband with drawstring and metal bell findings. Zipper-less faux fly. Side patch pockets. Ecofriendly hemp and cotton blend is easy care and antimicrobial.

6. Big Sur Men’s Hemp Crew Sweater - Made from ecofriendly hemp, this burly Big Sur Crew Neck Sweater is natural enzyme-washed for softness while retaining hemp’s legendary strength. He’ll love the warmth and anti-bacterial characteristics of hemp. And he’ll look so stylish when layering over a tee or a long sleeve shirt.

7. Unisex Eco Spa Robe - This Spa Robe for him or her is made of a high quality low loop French terry in a thirsty blend of hemp and cotton. The absorbency of hemp produces a medium weight all-season robe that performs better than all-cotton robes. Travel friendly, it packs well in a suitcase for overnights or extended travel. Features include naturally anti-microbial hemp fabric, mid-shin length, two front pockets, and inside adjustable waist level ties to keep robe closed.

8. Organic Cotton Crew Socks (Single Pairs) - These crew socks are made from several counts of Certified Organic Long-Staple Cotton yarn from the U.S. and Peru. They contain specially made cotton-covered Lycra and Natural Rubber. The Lycra and Rubber are used to aid stretch and durability and to ensure a good fit for a wide variety of feet. Dyed with low-impact dyes.

9. Uniontown Paper Boy Hemp Hat - This timeless style can be worn by him or her. Constructed from a durable mid-weight ecofriendly hemp canvas, this hat is smart fashion and smart for the environment. Features snap brim with adjustable hemp strap with antique brass clasp and a deluxe soft cotton sweat band and is made in U.S.A.

10. Eco Toy Ferry Boat - Set sail with the Eco Toy Ferry Boat for a quick bathtub excursion or an extended trans-pool voyage. Really kid and environment safe it is made with recycled plastic with no BPA, phthalates, PVC, or external coatings and is packaged using recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks. Whatever the adventure, this two-story vessel is ready to hit the open water with room for eco-friendly cargo galore, and even comes with two mini fastback cars. Use the slide-out ramp to load up the spacious bottom level that accommodates up to four mini vehicles or fastbacks. The open top deck features two small benches on each side, as well as eleven windows looking down into the main level.

11. Eco Toy Tea Set - Talk about green tea!! Young hosts can serve up a pot of tea while doing something really good for the earth. The Eco Toy Tea Set is made from eco-friendly materials, helping to reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions, all in the name of green fun! Meets FDA specs for food contact and is dishwasher safe. Seventeen pieces includes;

Tea Pot with lid
Sugar Bowl with lid
Creamer
4 Cups
4 Saucers
4 Spoons

12. Eco Toy Shape Sorter - Shape Sorter helps develop recognition of shapes and colors while also encouraging eye-hand coordination, problem solving, and fine and gross motor skill development. The two-part elliptical Shape Sorter and 8 colorful shapes (2 stars, 2 circles, 2 squares, 2 triangles) are the perfect size and weight for little hands. Each piece slides easily into the chute cut-outs on both the top and bottom of the Sorter, which opens with a simple twist, separating the two halves and letting the pieces out again. Kid and environment safe it is made with recycled plastic with no BPA, phthalates, PVC, or external coatings.

13. Eco-friendly Natural Eco-Wedge Crayons - Kids will love using these multi-surfaced soap crayons for all of their coloring activities. 12 bright, colors, all natural crayon wedges that last. Each crayon has 4 writing points and multiple surfaces to use for different width lines. Makes coloring large areas a snap. Easy to hold for artists with small hands. Older kids will love the unique wedge design too. Very eco-friendly.

14. Organic Cotton Tree Hugger Tee - This playful tree looks like a group of kids have had a good time using their hands to make the leaves. Made in the USA and printed with none PVC ink on short sleeve organic cotton tee, it shouts earth friendly fun!

15. Organic Cotton Tie Dye Crew Sock Youth - Really cool tie dye socks for kids are made in the USA with organic cotton and hand dyed using low-impact dye. Each unique pair looks great worn cuffed or up. Packaged as an individual pair, these fun and colorful socks are great for stocking stuffers and make a unique and cheerful gift! Also available in toddler and infant sizes.

16. Parchment Bowl – Beet Thai Green Papaya - Beet and thai green papaya parchment bowl shouts earth friendly while being stylishly unique. This eco home decor vessel uses organic fruits and vegetables and is built slice by slice and hand shaped into a beautiful translucent bowl that resembles blown glass. Measuring three inches across the base, flaring to a width of about seven inches across the top and standing approximately four inches high, it’s complex beauty blends easily with any style for truly eco-friendly home decor. The bowl can hold potpourri, small lightweight treasures, a glass held votive candle for romantic illumination, or enjoyed alone as a tabletop centerpiece. Other choices available.

17. Natural Soy Candles - Environmentally friendly hand-crafted candles are made from the highest quality soy and vegetable blend wax, premium fragrance oils, cotton and paper core wicks. Only the best ingredients are used to ensure these candles will burn longer and cleaner with a superior scent throw for the ultimate candle burning experience. Transform your space into a personal retreat filled with a natural fragrance that will help relax your mind and recharge your spirit. Proudly made in the USA using soy bean wax provided by the American farmer.

18. Recycled Glass Wine Charms - Never lose track of your wine glass at a party again! Earth savvy entertaining and fun wine glass charms are made from recycled glass melted by the power of the sun. Glass droplets are flanked by small hematite beads and strung on springy memory wire – just pull gently and they’ll snap back together around the stem of your glass. Droplet length: 1/2inch – 3/4inch and comes in set of 4.

19. Tiny Tin Classics Assortment Garden - Happiness shared is the flower and these are a perfect gift as a set or individually. Really touching the earth each set six includes one of each: Sweet Pea, Carnation, Purple Stock, Viola, Blue Stock and Miniature Rose. Each window-top tin is filled with seed, labeled with growing instructions, and tied with a gift tag. Wrapped with a band that reads, “Happiness held is a seed. Happiness shared is the flower.” Great holiday gift for any one each measures 2inch dia. x 2inch h.

20. Eco Shopper Bag (Yoga) - Yoga, it’s good for working on your concentration and deep breathing. Work on the environment too with this eco bag made from post-consumer recycled materials. Bag measures 15.75 inches w x 15.35 inches h x 5.9 inches d and can be used to carry lots of different treasures.