Continuing on from the previous post - while the holidays are around the corner there is still some time to find some “Green” (in design or function) gifts.



For the David Bach fan, his new “Go Green, Live Rich“, privides some practical easy ways to go green and some some money to boot! You might even be able to deftly gift this to one of your more skeptical, less environmentally conscious friends and get nary a complaint.



For frugal or budget conscious person on your list, I recommend a plug-in electricity usage monitor - such as the P3 International Kill-a-Watt. It’s not a glamorous gift by any stretch, but you will be suprised how much its appreciated. Your frugal friend or relative will be able to track the energy consumption (and thus operation cost) of their various plug-in home appliances and devices.



For you’re Boss, try pruchasing GreenPrint - software that eliminates unwanted pages saving, ink, money and trees. In these days of companies tightening their belts, you’re Boss will appreciate any way to improve the bottom line. Also, if you’re Boss is a golf fan take a look at EcoGolf’s biodegradable golf balls and teas (it’s more of a green gesture - but it’s something).



For the teen set - Forget video games this year and get a tween or teen a quality bike like the Mongoose Maxim 24-Inch Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike. Green Transportation and an active lifestyle will set them on right course.



For the tyke - A great idea is a recycled rubber wood toy such as the Plan Toys Sports Car. It’s made from abandoned rubber wood trees, colored using vegetable dyes and coated with a non-toxic finish. Or how about a gift from Blue Orange Toys such as Bendomino - Blue Orange Toys plants two trees for every tree used to produce their games.



Lastly, a less personal (but meaningful!) gift idea is to get someone on your list a DriveNeutral Certification - meaning their driving emissions for a year will be offset (and it only costs about the same as a tank of gas).

I was talking to a friend a couple days ago about green gift ideas and, despite Christmas being only a week away, thought I would share some thoughts and suggestions.  Green gifts can be thought of in a couple ways:  The function of the product can be green in nature, or the life-cycle design of the product is green in nature.  In an ideal world a “green” gift could be both those things - but practically speaking those are hard to find.

For a coworker or neighbor I could see a nice digital tire gauge like the Accutire MS-4350B as a nice choice. It’s a very inexpensive gift that has a real green benefit (by reducing fuel consumption through maintaining properly inflated tires) as well as a safety benefit. I admit that it’s more of a stocking stuffer or secret Santa type of gift however.


A neighborly gift that’s a little more expensive is a hand crank radio such as the American Red Cross FR250 Emergency Radio. These devices are green in operation (being crank powered radio’s/lights/cellphone chargers) and are obviously safety devices as well. These devices will really fly with camping and hiking aficionados.


Finally, to end part one of this post, a thoughtful gift for a green thumb neighbor, friend or family member would be a selection of organic or heirloom seeds. Heirloom and organic seeds are not genetically modified and if native to your location (and planted appropriately) will grow well without the need for excess water or fertilizer. Why not pair some heirloom/organic seeds with an organic gardening handbook such as “The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control”. Better yet, buy it used.

Stay tuned for part 2.