Eco-Friendly Green Gifts for Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies

Weddings and commitment ceremonies are times for celebration and for giving thoughtful, useful gifts that will help the happy couple begin (or continue) their life together. Giving eco-friendly green gifts to newly married or committed couples will help them build a sustainable, green life together after their wedding or commitment ceremony.

Particularly for younger couples or couples who did not live together before they were married, setting up housekeeping after your marriage, civil union ceremony, handfasting or domestic partnership celebration can be expensive and challenging, but any couple can get a great start with the help of caring friends and family who give thoughtful gifts that keep on giving.

Green gifts are much easier to find now that more and more folks are concerned about the impact our lifestyles have on the environment and can be purchased online, at specialty stores or in most large chain retailers.

Help the newlyweds or partners begin or enhance a sustainable, green lifestyle with any of these eco-friendly green gift ideas.

1. Matching Bamboo or Organic Cotton Bathrobes - Bamboo is a renewable resource and purchasing organic cotton (rather than conventional cotton) limits pesticides in the environment and in their new home. Everyone needs a bathrobe, you can get eco-friendly, stylish matching robes for the new couple that will last for years.
2. Bamboo or Organic Cotton Bath Towel Set - Bamboo and organic cotton bath towel sets comes in a variety of colors and price ranges. If you are looking to give a larger gift, you could pair a bamboo or organic bath towel set with the matching robes mentioned above.
3. Eco-Harvested Picnic Basket and Eco-Friendly Picnic Plates, Utensils - A picnic basket is a romantic, fun gift for a wedding or commitment ceremony and is something the couple can use for years to come. Look for a basket made from sustainable harvested wood and reusable picnic plates, cups and utensils. Finish off this gift with a set of cloth napkins and a tablecloth or ground cloth for a perfect, thoughtful gift.
4. Matching Stainless Steel Water Bottles or Travel Mugs - Reusable stainless steel water bottles and travel mugs are better for the environment and the couple's health. There are lots of options available from plain steel gray to brightly decorated - and in prices that will fit just about any budget.
5. Bamboo or Organic Cotton Kitchen Towels and Oven Mitts - Kitchen towels, oven mitts and other kitchen linens are now widely available in bamboo and organic cotton options.
6. Bamboo or Organic Cotton Bedding - Bamboo and organic cotton linens are soft and cozy, making them a great housewarming gift that will keep on giving.
7. Energy Saving Dimmer Switches - Dimmer switches can help set the mood in every room of their new home - and will save them money on their energy bill.
8. Energy Saving Power Strips - Considering that up to 40% of a home's energy use occurs while appliances and electronics are turned off but still plugged in, this is a gift that will save huge amounts of energy and help the new couple maintain lower utility bills.
9. Bamboo Cooking Utensils - Bamboo cooking utensils are fun and easy to cook with and way more eco-friendlier than metal and plastic cooking utensils.
10. Bamboo Salad Serving Bowl, Serving Utensils and Salad Bowls - Gorgeous and eco-friendly - this is a simple, affordable green gift idea that can be picked up at Cost Plus World Market, Target and a number of other retailers.
11. Bamboo Steamer Basket - This is a fun gift that is made from a renewable resource, is super easy to use and fosters healthy eating habits. Steamed vegetables come out perfect every time and these versatile steamers are even available with multiple layers to steam different foods at the same time.
12. Eco-Friendly Clothes Drying Rack - Clothes dryers are huge energy hogs. Help them save energy and money every time they do laundry with the gift of an eco-friendly clothes drying rack. There are lots of options that will fit even the smallest of space (and can be folded away when not in use) so this one is a great green gift for studio apartments, as well as larger homes. IKEA has some great, affordable, portable clothes drying racks.
13. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Set - We all know that CFLs use way less energy than incandescent bulbs and that they have a much longer lifespan, but folks moving into a new home might not have the extra money to spring for CFLs for every room in the house. It may not seem like a very intimate gift for family or close friends, but you can dress them up in an eco-friendly, reusable gift basket if they just seem too utilitarian for your taste.
14. Eco-Friendly Cookware - Earth-friendly cookware is becoming more widely available (I hear even Wal Mart offers an eco-friendly cookware set) and more affordable. An eco-friendly cookware set is a perfect larger wedding gift if you are buying a gift as a group or for someone you are close to.
15. Soy-Based Candles - A traditional, simple couple's gift made greener. Soy-based candles burn cleaner and lack the harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances of their conventional counterparts.
16. Decorative Composting Pail for the Kitchen - Small countertop composting pails are a great gift for folks who love compost - or want to start - but don't want to traipse outside to the composting bin after every meal. There are some very cute decorative composting crocks and pails available that will allow them to stow their bits of vegetables and leftover food and make less trips out to their main composting pile or bin.
17. Low-Flow Showerhead - Again, this one might feel a bit no-frills, but a low-flow showerhead is a great eco-friendly gift that is easy to install and will save water (and money) every time they shower.
18. Green Cleaning Service - Eco-friendly, green housecleaning services are popping up all over the place. If you are looking for a larger gift or a group gift, check online for a green housecleaning service in your area and give a gift that will be greatly appreciated (and allow the couple lots of extra time for date nights!).