The holiday season is usually associated with consumerism, which is bumming a lot of you out this year. Ted and I considered making everyone’s gift this year, but in the end, we just couldn’t be that lame. So we’ve found ways to give gifts that we can get behind ethically, that also are a little easier on the wallet than what we might have sprung for, say, last year. This year’s Gift Guide reflects both of these desires. It’s full of goodies that are good at heart, and I tried to be respectful of price, too. Though economics hasn’t been good to many of us this year, there’s no reason we can’t still be good to each other.
So, with no further ado, here are some sustainable gifts for the people you love!
These record coasters from Uncommon Goods are exceptionally cool. They’re made from the centers of old LPs, and they’re sealed so they’re water-tight. Each set of six coasters is made from actual recycled records, so each set will be different. {$18}
The To-Go Ware bamboo utensil sets and tiffen carrier have both been updated with sleek new lines and pretty fabric, making this Action Pack a great gift for someone who’s constantly on the go. The bamboo utensil carrier now comes in lots of different designs, which you can choose from. The carrier has two tiers for food storage and a lid that functions as a plate. It also comes with a cute little “mini-tiffin,” not shown in the photo above, that is handy for sauces and dressings. {$32}
The Greening of Southie is a movie about the Macallen building, South Boston’s first “green” building. This film was made by the guys who made King Corn, though it has more of a documentary feeling to it. Southie chronicles the issues faced by the developers, which include finding source materials, dealing with new products, and selling these new green units to Bostonians. The movie also shows the progress made by the construction workers on the project, who begin mostly baffled by the idea of a “green” building and, by the end, are really proud about working on the project. It’s a nice look into the world of green construction, and you won’t be disappointed by the endlessly entertaining workers who get lots of well-deserved face time. {$19.95}
If you know someone who always has the most beautiful calendars posted in her office, then the 2009 Nikki McClure calendar is for her. McClure makes the most amazing artwork from cut paper, which gives her beautiful designs an expressionist edge. These calendars are printed with soy ink. {$16}
This kids’ indoor gardening set from Clean Air Gardening will encourage the young’uns to get into growing things. The three pots. trowel, and tray are all made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, which is very cool. The seeds included are for teddy bear sunflowers, zinnias, and basil, and it even comes with soil. {$29.99}
This organic cotton baby onesie from the Gap is adorable. Get it for the babies (and new parents) on your list, and throw in a matching hat for the coming cold weather. {$19.50}
This organic cotton robe from Under the Canopy is super-comfortable (I should know, I have one). Its one-size-fits-all sizing makes ordering easy, and its flattering silhouette looks nice on everyone. Your Mom will especially appreciate the fact that the robe ties are attached to the back of the robe, meaning they can’t get lost in the wash. {$48, but it’s 50% off for a limited time}
I love this sweet bird ring from Uncommon Goods, and chances are that she will, too. The ring is made from recycled sterling silver by a husband-and-wife artist team in North Carolina. Let this ring perch on the finger of the girl in your life. {$45}
We all have that friend who adores to write letters, and you can bet they will love this wooden postcard set from Night Owl Paper Goods. The cards are made from sustainably harvested birch wood, and you can write on them like any other card. Each set of six includes envelopes, but the card I received from Jenni last year was deemed to cute to send, so it now hangs framed in my office. {$24}
This awesome bag is made from post-consumer plastic bottles. (There are about 18 bottles used per yard of this fabric, if you wanted to know.) It has a few pockets and compartments, and the shoulder strap is padded. I love the color combination, and the recycled bottle fabric makes this bag a winner. {$40}
These bamboo-covered bathroom countertop accessories are modern as well as mindful. You have to purchase each piece individually (price below is for the set), and the three accessories fit nicely into the bamboo tray (photo not to scale). They’ll liven up any apartment bathroom, and their use of sustainable bamboo makes a statement. {$31}
Sigg water bottles are a timeless gift, and the company’s holiday bottle from REI will get lots of use during your friend’s hiking trips. The lining of this crack-resistant bottle won’t leach into drinks, and at the end of the bottle’s life it can be completely recycled. {$24.95}
This 500 GB hard drive from SimpleTech is made from aluminum and bamboo. The bamboo is grown near SimpleTech’s manufacturing facility so it doesn’t have to travel far, and it’s processed using steam only, no chemicals or varnishes. The aluminum is completely recyclable, ad the protective external drive and caps are made from 100% recycled newspaper. This gift is a little pricier than the rest, but it’s so unique that I just had to include it. Also, it’s on sale at Amazon, which makes the price comparable (or cheaper than) traditional hard drives of the same size. {$110, but on sale for $71 for a limited time on Amazon}
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Kerry 12.12.08 at 8:27 am
By the way, I didn’t mean to imply that making gifts is lame… On the contrary, it’s pretty cool. I just meant that Ted and I are too lame to pull it off. Both of us lack crafting talents that could be used in gifts, so anything we’d try to make would be sub-par. If you’re planning on making your gifts this year, good on you for being talented! Let us know what you’ll be making in the comments.