Give the Gift of Green This Holiday Season

As the issues regarding the environment and the popularity of "going green" grows, you may choose to make your gifts a little more environmentally friendly this year by giving gifts that can be used by the recipient. Green gifts can be as simple as a gift card, or something that on the surface doesn't look environmentally friendly or have anything to do with the environment, yet very needed by the recipient therefore creating a gift that does not get wasted.

You may find that some gifts are borderline inappropriate. I agree, some may take some courage to give (like Dave Ramsey's financial program), for who are we to judge someone else's financial situation. Yet, these gifts may be the best, life-changing products you could give.

Carbon Off-Sets

Terrapass is a company that sells "carbon off-set" certificates. A carbon off-set is a certificate that you purchase from Terrapass that represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions, something that we all produce and are responsible for.

After you purchase a carbon off-set certificate, Terrapass uses the money for carbon reduction projects. All of the projects are publicly viewable here. On Terrapass' website, you can calculate your carbon footprint (the amount of carbon dioxide you contribute), and possibly base your buying decision on the results. This is a great way to contribute to the reduction of global warming. Remember, that it is not a substitute for conservation!

Give the Gift of Information

Or, as Dave Ramsey says, "Give the gift of hope". Are there people in your life that could benefit from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University? His philosophies are sound financial advice, and in these tough economical times, might lend some life changing advice to someone close to you.

Giving a gift such as this may make you uncomfortable. However, if there is someone in your life that you care for, whether they are in financial straits or not, remember that you could be changing a family's destiny. Dave Ramsey's website offers gift ideas for under $10 and more than $100. So, whatever your budget, with a little bravery you can give a gift that could change someone's life (and their children's) forever.

The Hybrid PC

The Dell Studio Hybrid PC is a desktop computer that uses 70-percent less energy than a standard PC and for a couple extra dollars at checkout, Dell will plant a tree to offset the carbon emissions created by using the computer for three years!

This is a very sleek desktop that is 80-percent smaller than a standard desktop and can be purchased in seven different colors. It is also no slouch with a 4GB 667 MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM and a 320GB Hard Drive. It is priced at a reasonable $449, so if a new computer is on your list this year, Dell may have the perfect combination of environmentally friendly technology anyone has to offer!

For the Handy-Man

The Black & Decker Energy Saver Series includes a Power Monitor that sells for around $99. The B&D Power Monitor allows you to instantly monitor and control your energy consumption. It can tell you, in real time, the amount of electricity you are using, and its cost in dollars. It will allow you to change your energy using habits to save money instantly!

This monitor is easy to install with no additional wiring. The cordless monitor displays the energy usage in dollars, month-to-date usage, estimated monthly bill and the outdoor temperature. In the appliance mode it will track minute-to-minute usage in consumption.

Discovery Paper Recycling Studio

Teaching your kids to go green is important and with the Discovery Kids Recycling Studio they can learn how to recycle and create craft paper! It will also teach them the history of paper making while using templates to press old paper into six different shapes of new paper. Your young ones can create stationary, notepads and other creative ways to use the recycled paper. Available at the Discovery Store for under $20, this is a fun and educational gift well worth its price!

Green Feet

Birkenstock is an eco-friendly company that manufactures quality, eco-friendly footwear. The company prides themselves on not being part of the eco-band-wagon. "We strive to be authentic and naturally eco-friendly, not "eco-chic". Again, we didn't just jump on the green bandwagon; we actually have a 40 year history of being a company with a conscience, respect for the world around us, our resources and people"

Birkenstocks are a very comfortable shoe, the main component being cork. There is very little waste in the manufacturing process and their products are packaged in 90% recycled paper. Their website has a dedicated page to their "green" efforts.

For Our Furry and Feathered Family Members

Don't forget those pets either! Treehugger.com has Simply Fido Organic Toys that are natural hemp toys that include a Taco the bird, Eddy the elephant, Jerri the mouse, and Ollie the owl. They are all made from organic material and are non-toxic and at $10 makes a pretty good stocking stuffer for your rover!

Your feathered friend will get love to dig into the Eco-Forage Box, also from Treehugger.com. They are made specifically for your indoor birds, 100% recycled paper stuffed into a cardboard box. Your birds can forage for bedding and burrowing for under $6 with this stocking stuffer.

Eco-friendly gifts are not difficult to find. There are many different approaches you can take to finding these gifts. Whether they are a product that produces little or no waste, or a product that helps you use less energy, all of these products are helpful, useful and green-friendly.