Earth Friendly Gift Ideas for Eco-Dads

Every year it seems like Dad's get the same old thing for holiday presents, whether it's Father's Day or Christmas; with neckties, wallets and electronics leading the way. Why not put a whole new twist on your gift giving ribbon this year by encouraging your Dad's going green habits with some unique and thoughtful gifts.

Go green on the "green"

Have you ever thought about where those golf balls go after they land in the golf course's pond? They don't just dissolve, but sit there polluting the water and eventually the ground that they lay on. Try helping dad go green on the green with gifts of eco-friendly golf balls. Eco-friendly golf balls like these three eco-friendly golf ball recommendations use environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques and golf balls by Dixon are made from 100% recycled materials, no pollutants like lead or cobalt and offer a $1.00 a ball recycling initiative complete with return mail pouch. Price: 39.95

Light up his life and his electronics with solar power

The Solar Focus SolarDuo Charger is priced at approximately $99.99 and uses the power of the sun to power up your dad's favorite electronics from iPod's to GPS.

Go clean with his canteen

The Insulated Kleen Kanteen, offered at most sporting goods stores weighs in at 20 ounces and is priced at $27.99. Your Dad that loves the great outdoors whether it's biking or hiking or playing in the pool with like that it keeps their cold drink cold without any trash, BPA or harmful plastics.

Watch what you wear

Casio and Pulsar both offer solar powered men's watches priced between $45.00 and $400.00. No muss, no fuss, and no need to dispose of batteries.

Create organic matter

Does your father enjoy gardening and landscaping? If so, help him go green while he creates that lush green outdoor environment at home with a Garden Plus 115 Gallon Compost Pail priced at $49.98 at Lowes. Made with 90% recycled materials it can make sure that Dad knows "how does your garden grow."

Eco-friendly hanging out

Now that the work is done, give dad a chance to relax in the Ultimate Hammock, made from recycled soda bottles and can accommodate up to 450 lbs making it the perfect place for dad to hang out with the kids and available on Gaiam for a pproximately $199.00.

Green beer isn't just for St. Patrick's Day

Does your dad love a good beer? Pour him a cold one in these very affordable ($8.00) Recycled Beer Glasses made from recycled beer bottles. Does he have a passion his own brew? Then give the gift of an organic beer brewing kit from Seven Bridges Cooperative ($129.50).

Don't get all choked up

No need for neckties this year on your gift list unless it's a necktie wallet. Your dad's most hated fashion accessory is now able to combine the old with the new in green gift ideas. Now neckties have become a fashionable and useful wallet.

Reading, writing and green
Does your father constantly need a piece of paper to make a note, write a letter or maybe even keep a journal; so he can later publish his memoirs including all the embarrassing things you ever did? If so consider eco-friendly papers made from organic banana paper, recycled paper materials, and even elephant poo.

Get your java on

Stop by Whole Foods during your shopping trip and treat yourself to a cup of organic coffee or tea and while you are them pick up organically grown coffee beans or a reusable coffee mug so dad can make sure he gets his jolt of java before he's late to work.

Wash and wax with that?

From car care to skin care there are several eco-friendly products to choose from including a waterless car wash product like Eco Touch WCW24 Waterless Car Wash for approximately $12.00 on Amazon.com or instead of his car, his face can be clean and shiny with an organic shaving cream like Avalon Organics Moisturizing Cream Shave Aubrey Organics.

Getting wild about the great outdoors

Purchase for dad one of these earth friendly gifts in his honor and honor the earth too:

A National Park Pass or one for the whole family.

Support a local a local preserve in his honor, to find one, contact the Trust for Public Land.

Adopt an acre of tropical forest that is threatened with your donation of $50.00 through the Nature Conservancy and which also included a subscription to the Nature Conservancy magazine.

Walk on the wild side with a gift members to the National Wildlife Federation. Membership prices begin at $15 and includes the NWF's award-winning magazine.

Let your dad become a dad to an endangered species through the World Wildlife Fund. Donations of $50 or $100 gives dad a stuffed replica of the animal you are adopting, plus a certificate, color photo, and fact sheet.

Each of these gifts show thought and care, both for your environmentally friendly dad and the earth. Give one of these gift ideas a try instead of the classic wallet or ink pen set and see all the other dad's in the office go green with envy.

Need more gift ideas? Check out these Green Stocking Stuffer and Eco-Friendly Gifts for the Eco-Mom suggestions.

Sources:
Personal experience
Trust for Public Land
National Wildlife Federation
World Wildlife Fund
Nature Conservancy