Eco Friendly/Green Gifts

VintageBelle

Hey all:

I really like trying to find eco presents for birthdays and Christmas as so many unwanted thoughtless gifts seem to exchange hands, therefore I wondered what ideas you have as it's harder and harder to find new ideas that don't cost the earth? (Or at least it is for me).

This year I plan on buying a male family member a mini worktop compost bin as he loves his garden but it's only small.

I also love buying people gifts from vintage fairs/charity shops that might have nostalgic meaning to them.

I did want to try and make one of those bug houses from old wood and garden poles but I'm not very good with a saw and hammer.

I like to buy my mom things for the garden birds and also flower seeds as she too loves her garden. Earlier this year I bought her some Tomtatoes with the code off this site.

I also thought about wrapping gifts for female recipients in pretty scarves instead of wrapping paper.

I don't really want to have loads of things shipped or for them to be overly processed as this seems to go against them being green/eco friendly if that makes sense? Although I know it is sometimes hard to avoid.

Any other thoughts would be much appreciated? :xmastree:

Islandmaid

My Dad and Stepmum have always bought my kids ethical gifts for Christmas and Birthdays.

They often buy things from Oxfam and other charities like a goat for a village or water pump or vaccinations - they kids always have tonnes of 'stuff' so they do appreciate these gifts to others on their behalfs, I remember when DD was about 6 she told grandpa she,s like a dolphin for Christmas, and was really confused when he told her to check with mum that the bath was big enough

VintageBelle

Haha bless her. I have bought things from the Good gifts catalogue before and so do my family so I know they would appreciate it. It's just a shame that so many other people I know would not appreciate the sentiment.

suejb2

Do they have to an actual physical gift? How about offering your time or experience in something,pop them onto a "cheque" book to redeem when needed.

VintageBelle

I was thinking about cheques but I know this sounds stupid but there isn't much that I'm useful for to those close to me, or stuff that I don't already do to try and help them generally. It's a tricky one, but I'm open to fun cheque suggestions (nothing too rude ). I'll have to google some too. Thanks suejb2