Green doesn’t always have to cost a ton of money. In fact you can get a green gift for everyone on your list without breaking your budget and you’ll have the added comfort of knowing that your carbon footprint is staying small and your eco-conscious clear. There are a ton of green gifts for kids to be had that don’t cost a lot so we’ll cover some of those in their own post soon. Today we’ll stick to adult-minded gifts. All of the green gifts below can be had for $40 bucks or less…

For your mom: You don’t always talk …read more

We recently looked at some eco-friendly stocking stuffer options, but most stockings aren’t complete without some yummy treats as well. When stuffing an eco-friendly stocking look for treats and sweets with minimal packaging (although this is hard with smaller treats) and organic or at least natural ingredients. Avoid treats containing stuff you can’t pronounce; that’s a good sign the treat is full of icky chemicals.
Some options…

100% USDA Certified Organic Maple Candy – in fact this candy ONLY contains organic maple syrup.
Natural Popcorn Balls – contains just popcorn, salt, sunflower oil, sugar, vinegar, and lecithin (soy).
Lavender Caramel – great for an …read more

When it comes to Christmas Stockings, it’s tempting to stray from your eco-friendly mindset. There are lots of fun looking plastic toys out there that can be had for cheap. However, plastic toys aren’t the best in terms of quality of safety. You can find eco-friendly stocking stuffers for less. It’s not necessary to give up your first born just to stay green. Following are a bunch of stocking stuffers for $10 or less that not only are eco-friendly, but your little one will LOVE these small gifts…
Peggy over at Tree Hugging Family has some good green stocking stuffer up, …read more

It’s the time of year when folks start sending flowers and little treats to friends and family for Thanksgiving. Just a friendly reminder to make sure you send eco-versions of the above items. Look for locally grown organic or VeriFlora Certified flowers when possible, and organic and natural locally made treats as well. If you live in an area that doesn’t cater to eco-friendly living there are some online treats and flowers to consider. Below is a round up of treats and flowers you can send that are lovely and special but won’t sacrifice your eco-footprint quite so much.

Beautiful Sweets …read more

There are some super cute green decor finds out there that allow you to decorate for a green Thanksgiving while one, not spending a ton of cash, and two, not sacrificing your eco-footprint quite so much. Here are some cute ideas…
Hoot worthy bleached eco-friendly coir owl doormat. Printed w/pigment dyes. Coir is woven from coconut husks, and naturally traps dirt, absorbs moisture, and stands up to all kinds of weather extremes. A nice greeting at a doorway this holiday.
Bamboo drink coasters – 100% organically-grown bamboo, non-toxic adhesive, natural food-safe wood oil.
Organic soy candles from Dirt Candles – Dirt makes GMO-free organic …read more

If you’re looking for an oh so stylish way to conceal holiday gifts this year check out The Hide Box by Modern-Twist. Not only is this a super alternative to disposable wrapping paper and bows but these little hide boxes are beautiful to boot.

Each of the Modern Twist hide boxes are based on a vintage Japanese design and bags create a perfect place to stash and hide little gifts like marbles, small toy cars, jewels, candy, and more. Each bag is made of handmade, woven cotton fabric in botanical or abstract prints and the clever design allows you to open …read more

It can be tough to choose the best and safest green toys each season. You’ve got to read labels, check reviews, and spend a ton of time looking around if you’re a green parent. OR you could say “Um, no to that” and just make a stop at Jade’s Toy Box. Jade’s ToyBox is a newer online retailer that offers easy and unique answers for parents looking for safer green products without the fuss. Jade’s Toy Box offers “Concept Boxes” that combine learning, fun and safety in one nice little package.

Each Concept Box is filled with eco-friendly toys, books and …read more

If you’re setting a fancy table for Thanksgiving, all the better, because you’re likely using real dishes and cloth napkins – both eco-friendly choices. BUT, what about the place cards? Well, you’ve got some options which include making your own or buying some eco-friendly options. Here are some ideas.
Store bought eco-friendly place cards:

If you’re going to purchase route look for non-toxic and recyclable materials and look for products that serve the purpose (or many purposes) for the long haul. I LOVE these Bird Cheese Markers (shown above) from Beehive Kitchenware – yeah they’re cheese holders but if you stick …read more

I know Halloween hasn’t even hit yet, but Thanksgiving is a big event and can take some planning. Luckily, there are some easy ways to green your Thanksgiving.

Look for “USDA organic,” not “Free-range” turkeys. While Free Range may sound good the term means little according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You’ll have much better luck finding a chemical free bird if you go local – i.e. choose a turkey raised at a local farm. To learn more about labeling read, Unscrambling Organic Eggs, which yes, I know is about eggs, but if you replace the word “egg” with “turkey” …read more

There are e-cards available for just about every occasion under the sun. Good news since e-cards eliminate paper use, stamps, gas needed to power mail trucks, and other manufacturing costs and resources. E-cards are no longer the deadbeat cousins of the greeting world either. Today’s e-cards are better looking, more accepted,  and some are interactive. Plus there are even e-cards made greener than a basic e-card by companies like Care 2.
Many e-cards are free while other companies offer a mix of paid (low cost) and free e-cards. The exception is with premium wedding and other celebration e-cards that usually include …read more