What are some good "green" gifts (between $15-200)?

Question

What are some good "green" gifts (between $15-200)?

Answer 1

I am renouncing gift giving this year because I just think it's all a part of the culture of overconsumption. Overconsumption=bad for environment.

Instead, I'm going to donate to my favorite charity in honor of people. Then my gift "recipients" will get a letter from the charity. Also my family does a gift exchange and I'm asking people to donate instead of buying a gift. Nobody really needs another material good.

I do like the idea of one of those re-usable grocery bags, though. That and my favorite coffee is the shadegrown or the coffee for a cause. That might be a good gift for those that love coffee. I buy my coffee online at thanksgiving coffee company (no, I don't work for them, I just like their coffee).

Answer 2

For anything you buy at the rainforest site, they'll protect a certain amount of rainforest land.

http://shop.therainforestsite.com/store/...

There's also green tech gifts like the Smart Strip, which is a power strip that automatically cuts power so chargers and appliances aren't leeching power when plugged in but turned off

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006Q3...

or an electricity usage monitor.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009M...

Or a tote bag to replace plastic shopping bags

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102...

Answer 3

Well, anything re-cycled, low-impact, locally produced and simply (or not at all) packaged.  

I personally think that things you make yourself are a good bet - you can use recycled things, or stuff you have sourced yourself and know to be environmentally sound.  They also have the huge advantage that you have put time and effort into making something for someone - I love getting such gifts, far more than the stuff that people buy from shops, which has probably been made by someone paid hardly anything, and transported all around the world.  I personally wouldn't mind getting somethng second-hand (e.g. from a charity shop) if it's what I wanted.

A nice one would be to make some food for someone - a cake, a special pie, some sweets, etc.  I am thinking of making truffles for people this year - you can find lots of recipes on the 'net.  For the chocolate, it's best to get organic and fairtrade, and source all the other ingredients as locally as possible.  

Have fun!