Grandmothers

The Environmentally Friendly Guide to Christmas Gifts   by taf shop

Many of us are “going green” nowadays, and to us this means we plan on keeping our planet environmentally clean and safe for generations to come. Giving gifts that are also safe for the environment just makes good sense, for when we pass on our green ideas, they will grow and scatter the good thoughts just like seeds in the wind.

As everyone knows, the day after Thanksgiving is known as “Black Friday”. This day got it’s ominous title due to the fact that day is the one day of the year retail stores will expect (make that hope) to climb out of the red and begin to see profits. This is also the day many of those stores offer huge discounts on merchandise, aimed at drawing customers in to begin the Holiday shopping mania. There are a few who don’t believe in this crass commercialism and refuse to buy into it. But as traditions go, this one does save us lots of money at least.

Among the environmentally friendly gift ideas are purchasing items made with recycled materials and items that are “negatively” packaged, in other words having little or no packaging at all. Use one item to wrap another with, creating a double gift without using wrapping paper (smaller towels wrapped up in larger towels or a tie wrapped up inside a shirt).

Other ideas may include gift certificates or store shopping cards. Donate your time or services, for example offer to babysit or mow your friend’s lawn for a month. Gift baskets can be a lot of fun and quite a practical present. Fill the basket with items you know the recipient will appreciate and eat or use, such as fresh fruits, candy, or scented soaps or bath beads. When you know who you are giving the gift to you should have some ideas as to what they might appreciate and actually use.

When giving a holiday greeting card, give one that contains flower seeds and is designed to be planted, this is a great idea for your gardening friends. Purchase gifts that have been locally grown or manufactured and keep your expenditures local. If possible, make items yourself. Gifts like a baby sweater or shawl for your Grandmother that has been handmade makes a memorable present for those you love.

Particularly if you are giving a gift to an elderly person or perhaps a new mother, offer your services with something like cleaning their house, washing their car (or pet), doing their laundry, or even picking up their groceries for a month or some definite period of time can make those in need especially appreciative.

The amount of trash compiled at the holiday season is up by over twenty five percent and that amounts to something like eighty three million square meters of trash in the UK, mostly consisting of wrapping paper. This not only makes for lots of wasted materials but extra pollution when all that is burned at the city dump. And some of it (like plastics) will be around for a long time. We can all help clean up this planet if we work together.

About the Author

Caperol.com sells energy saving gifts and solar powered products online.
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