Last Updated: Aug 6, 2020
As the holiday season wraps up, you may be looking for that last-minute gift idea. But before you grab the nearest shiny thing, ask yourself- do your loved ones need yet another trinket, ornament, or tie? Why not think creatively and give them something that is a great gift and better for the planet? Here are some unique ideas.
Give your family member a coupon that says you will play hooky with them one day and take them on a nature excursion. There are almost always state parks within driving distance, and except for having to drive a car, what could be greener? The earth's beautiful waters and landscape instills a sense of wonder. And, instead of getting a thing that has to be stored, maintained, and might not be wanted, you'll both have a memory that lasts forever. Other ideas for experiences include an adult "play date" where you go to a movie, an art gallery, or an excursion to the indoor rock climbing gym.
The label should include the ingredients and the recipe, so if the recipients like what you made, they can make it themselves. And the reusable container encourages people to shop in the bulk section of the grocery store, which reduces waste compared to pre-packaged food. Ideas include homemade organic almond butter (use only almonds and almond oil, and a little salt) or nut-free granola. This recipe for nut-free granola is adapted from Jamie Oliver's cookbook (he includes nuts and coconut flakes):
Ingredients:
Optional: ¼ cup mixed seeds (sesame, poppy)
Optional: nuts like raw cashews, almonds
Instructions:
Your home will smell really good when you cook this. Serve with yogurt – yummy! Keeps for a week or two in an airtight container.
Are you really good at something, like organizing closets, cooking pancakes, or taking care of plants? Give a gift certificate for your services. It’s another way of showing your love, and it only costs you time, not money.
Ideas for organizations that are working to improve our planet’s (and our) health include:
iMatter was started by thirteen-year-old Alec Loorz back in 2007 (under the name Kids vs Global Warming) to help combat climate change. It has grown over the years to an extremely effective youth-led movement that is the living, breathing definition of climate action. Youth groups are forming all over North America, from Fredericton, New Brunswick to Minnetonka, Minnesota to Ventura, California. They work with cities and give them climate report cards, holding them accountable to make sure they step up, produce a climate action plan, and work for the benefit of our future. It’s a simple message and a powerful delivery.
This amazing program has an audacious goal of planning one billion trees in the United States, Brazil, and China by 2025. Their website says they are up to 81 billion. Why is this important? They are helping reverse the devastating deforestation our Earth has been experiencing. Forests sequester (store) carbon, filter the air and are home to many species. In a nutshell, forests support people and nature.
EWG works to eliminate toxins from everyday products. (They normally offer a great Holiday Gift Pack with donations, but supplies run out quickly!)
RMI has been at the forefront of our transformation to a clean energy economy since its founding by Amory and Hunter Lovins back the 1970s. Their insights are often central to public policy decisions when it comes to transportation, buildings, electricity, and other areas of innovation.
The Trust for Public Land is a lesser-known organization doing the work behind the scenes to create parks and protect land for people. Their goal is to have every person lives within a 10-minute walk (or less) from a park; in other words, “ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.”
Like local co-ops, or Whole Foods. Supporting organic foods is a great way to support the planet and increase the demand for pesticide-free agriculture. And everyone needs groceries!
Patagonia has comfortable and useful sweaters, jackets, fleece, hats, mittens—any type of gear to help you enjoy the great outdoors. The company Patagonia is the real deal: they are giving back $10 million in tax cuts to grassroots environmental organizations. Check out their recent announcement in Fast Company on how they changed their mission to one simple goal: “Patagonia is in business to save the planet.” Now, how awesome is that?
They also sell the GUPPYFRIEND™ Washing Bag. This little bag “protects synthetic garments and reduces the number of microfibers that may enter rivers and oceans from washing. After washing garments in GUPPYFRIEND, remove the microfibers from the bag and throw them away in the trash.” Who knew that washing synthetic clothing could result in polluting our waters? Patagonia does, and they know how to prevent it!
Books are always a hit; they can be wrapped in a reusable bag, or you can give an audio or electronic copy. For someone interested in sustainability, here are some favorites:
We don’t want to put a damper on gift-giving time, and we don’t believe that thinking about sustainability means you have to sacrifice comfort, convenience, or even the joy of gift-giving. We just think we humans can do a little better. Keeping sustainability on your radar means we all benefit—whether it’s saving resources, saving money, being healthier. And bringing awareness to your friends and family can make gift-giving time even more rewarding.