The green economy is thriving thanks to demand from earth conscious consumers. Whether you are giving as or buying for an environmentalist these ideas are sure to please. Here’s my Top Ten Gift Ideas for Environmentalists with ideas for stocking stuffers, chocolate lovers and every other “eco-mind” on your list.
Be Beautiful and Green
1) Preserve Toothbrushes, Medium Bristles, 4-Count Packages ($22.34) & Tom’s of Maine All Natural Toothpaste (from $3.99) Environmentalism is an everyday activity, just like brushing your teeth. That’s why these stocking stuffers will make the environmentalist on your list smile. Preserve uses 100% recycled plastics in their toothbrush handles (25% from recycled yogurt containers in a partnership with Stonyfield Farm) and both the toothbrushes and the packaging are completely recyclable. In fact, this company will recycle them for you into plastic lumber products (like park benches) if you use the postage paid mailer included with each purchase. The perfect compliment to Preserve Toothbrushes is Tom’s of Maine All Natural Toothpaste. Endorsed by the American Dentists Association and available in flavors to suit any taste. Tom’s of Maine uses only all natural ingredients and does not use artificial flavors, fragrances, colors or preservatives and they don’t test on animals. The company is powered by 100% renewable wind energy and uses recycled and renewable materials in their packaging.
2) Burt’s Bees Green Gifting Queen Bee Kit ($30) or Burt’s Bees Bay Rum Men’s Shaving Kit ($19.99). Burt’s Bees is one of the original earth friendly companies that continues to practice what they preach. They have always maintained sustainable business practices using all natural ingredients and utilizing the most environmentally friendly packaging systems. And their products are sensational. In the Top Ten Gift Ideas for Environmentalists is Burt’s Bees Green Gifting Queen Bee Kit or Burt’s Bees Bay Rum Men’s Shaving Kit. The Queen Bee Kit is an indulging spa package that includes Pore Refining Mask, Royal Jelly Eye Crème, Shea Butter Hand Repair Crème, Herbal Milk Bath, Calm Bath, Calming Candle and satin smooth Lavender-filled eye mask. The Queen Bee Kit comes in a reusable, eco-friendly, biodegradable abaca bag. The Bay Rum Men’s Shaving Kit treats the male senses without compromising manliness. The kit includes the Bay Rum Shaving Soap filled with tropical herbs and spices, Beeswax Lip Balm, a porcelain shaving mug and a natural bristle brush. In addition to these gift kits, Burt’s Bees offers a full line of products for lips, face, body, baby bees, hair care, oral care, cosmetics, natural remedies, and men’s grooming. Indulging, all natural and animal cruelty free.
Green and Tasty
3) EccoBella, Dagoba Organic and Endangered Species Chocolates (from $2.75) Who doesn’t love chocolate? Growing evidence suggests that chocolate offers a number of health benefits and may be good for the heart because it contains the same kinds of antioxidants found in red wine and green tea. Three companies offer the best in organic, healthy and earth minded chocolate treats: EccoBella, Dagoba Organic and Endangered Species. The EccoBella company is best known for their natural and organic skin care products and their chocolates are part of the EccoBella holistic health principles. EccoBella’s Health by Chocolates include the Women’s Wonder Bar, Beautiful Bones Bar and the Instant Bliss Beauty Bar. These treats are made from high quality organic cocoa, antioxidants, herbs, vitamins and minerals that maximize the health benefits of chocolate. Ecco Bella’s cocoa is also Fair Trade which helps the environment by providing fair market and working conditions to farmers. Dagoba Organic Chocolates company not only makes some of the most amazing chocolate products, they are completely dedicated to sustainability. The company philosophy blends “quality, ecology, equity and community.” They have won numerous foodie awards as well as the EPA’s Green Power Leadership Award. Endangered Species Chocolates has some of the best, most creative chocolate bars on the market. Made from 100% natural, fairly traded ingredients these treats come in varieties such as Dark Chocolate with Deep Forest Mint, Milk Chocolate with Cherries and White Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts. The company’s core value is a “Reverence for Life” and they keep their promise to tantalize the taste buds as well as protect natural wonders. A portion of the proceeds from each chocolate sold are distributed to environmental non-profits worldwide.
4) The Groovy Mind’s Glam Fam Survival Kit Gift Basket ($75) The Groovy Mind “trading in a higher consciousness: organic, fair trade, eco-friendly goods” has created the perfect holiday gift. This basket is designed for rejuvenation and relaxation for the whole family. It energizes the senses with The Groovy Mind’s slow roasted organic, Fair Trade coffee and soothes the mind with The Groovy Mind’s antioxidant, organic, Fair Trade Darjeeling green tea. A Fair Trade, natural materials play puppet theater entertains the youngest of the clan with hand woven exotic animal puppets. A sampler of three luscious, organic chocolates offer Fair Trade tastes of Peru, Dominican Republic and Ghana. A magnetic peace sign keeps the fridge hip and a photo album made of recycled materials will hold all the memories from the day! It’s hip and healthy happiness for the whole family.
5) The Groovy Mind’s Espress Yo’self Gift Basket For the Eco-Minded Java Freak ($30) If coffee is the key to your eco freak’s happiness this gift basket is just right. It combines 1lb of The Groovy Mind’s freshly roasted organic, Fair Trade Midnight Espresso coffee with two ceramic replicas of the famous Greek New York paper take-out cup. But these coffee cups don’t become litter. These dishwasher and microwave safe versions of the original paper disposables are made in partnership with Aid to Artisans so they not only cut down on waste, they support a sustainable economy in Peru. Java for a just cause, your caffeinated environmentalist will love it.
Green on the Go
6) ECOBAGS® Organic Cotton String Shopping Bag Set with Hemp StuffSack ($29.95) The number of plastic shopping bags consumed this year is approaching 500,000,000,000. And the environmentalist on your list knows it. That’s why ECOBAGS® Organic Cotton String Shopping Bag Set with Hemp StuffSack is on the Top Ten Gift Ideas for Environmentalists list. Each bag in the set holds up to 40 lbs of groceries, are super compact, lightweight and comfortable to carry. The set stores easily in the hemp stuffsack which can hang on its drawstring with the car keys or better yet the keys to the bicycle lock. The environmentalist on your list will walk tall knowing that their organic produce is toted in Fair Trade, renewable materials.
7) The Voltaic Messenger Solar Laptop Carry Case ($239) If your eco minded techie travels with gadgets this bag will help keep them off the grid. Although it can’t charge a laptop, it can carry it and charge all the other gadgets that will fit in its multiple small pockets including cell phones, sat phones, PDAs, GPSs, iPods, and digital cameras. Even with exterior solar panels and battery, this bag weighs just 3.25 lbs has an adjustable padded laptop sleeve, super strong nylon zips, a padded adjustable shoulder strap and it comes with 11 standard adapters including a car charger socket and USB adaptor. When its not in the sun the bag’s battery can be charged by AC or DC. The solar panels are tough, lightweight, waterproof and help protect the electronic devices inside. An indicator light in the Voltaic logo lets the carrier know when the panels are generating a charge and the battery allows surplus storage of the solar energy collected. Eco fun in the sun even when traveling for business.
Green at Home
8) The Ethical Gourmet: How to Enjoy Great Food that is Humanely Raised, Sustainable, Nonendangered and That Replenishes the Earth by Jay Weinstein ($12.89) Even the most earth conscious foodies need a roadmap through today’s market. This reference is a comprehensive guide to earth-friendly and socially conscious eating. It shows how to avoid wasteful packaging, unethical companies, unhealthy food and make choices that benefit the environment as well as the people who grow and sell food. Created by a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and contributor to the New York Times and Travel & Leisure, this kitchen guide proves that culinary ethics can exist while sacrificing none of the pleasures of eating. Filled with recipes for sophisticated tastes with guilt free ingredients, The Ethical Gourmet raises environmentally conscious gourmet to a new level.
9) Handmade, Ceramic Compost Pots from Richard Harris ($90) This ceramic potter in Ontario has created the perfect way to nurture your environmentalist’s endeavors: with beautiful art! Even the best intended environmentalist may have trouble developing the composting habit but these dragonfly motif beauties will make the task more enjoyable. These handmade ceramic compost pots are unique, beautiful and the perfect union of form and function. They can be carried in one hand, flipped without touching the contents and are dishwasher safe. They keep smells inside so the “project” isn’t the first thing people notice about the kitchen. Not only are they beautiful to look at but they will help decrease waste sent to landfills which are really ugly!
10) Hardcover Classic: The Lorax by Dr. Suess ($14.95) The ultimate “save our planet” story, this book is likely the reason your holiday shopping has a tinge of green. Published in 1971, Dr. Suess set the environmental movement to rhyme through the tale of The Lorax. Long before saving the earth became a mainstream idea, The Lorax’s powerful message rooted in the hearts and minds of budding environmental activists. Filled with whimsical poetry, original characters and vibrant illustrations, this gift will remind the environmentalist on your list why they strive to live cleaner and greener and why all hope is not lost as long as someone “speaks for the trees.
Reference:
- www.recycline.com (for Preserve toothbrushes) www.tomsofmaine.com www.burtsbees.com www.eccobella.com www.dagobachocolate.com www.chocolatebar.com (for Endangered Species Chocolate) www.thegroovymind.com www.ecobags.com www.voltaicsystems.com
