Green Side Out - The green lifestyle

Think green!

There are plenty of eco friendly gifts out there to help your friends and family leave a smaller carbon footprint on the earth.

With the holidays coming, it’s a great time to give those that don’t think about it a nudge in the right direction or, for your favorite tree hugger, an opportunity to keep them on the right path.

Here are a few eco friendly gifts to get the novice started:

-Wearing of the green.
Clothing made from hemp or organic cotton is a smart step for everyday apparel. Stylish outfits for babies through adults are easy to find and readily available in stores and on-line.

-Recycling storage bin.
These covered and sometimes stackable containers offer a tidy alternative to the open recycling box by the back door. Easily blending in to the garage or laundry room, a snap-on lid reduces odor and the appearance of clutter. A variety of shapes and sizes are available in antibacterial plastic for easy storage and presorting if needed.

-Donation to an environmentally-conscious group.
There are many organizations dedicated to Mother Earth. Check around your local area for a worthy cause or go national or global.

For example, Greenpeace and The Nature Conservancy are always looking for donations to their cause. Give a gift membership or adopt an acre in someone else’s name.

Eco friendly gifts for those who have already embraced the idea:

-Automatic composter.
Outdoor or indoor models process paper or food remnants, with compost ready in about two weeks. The machine does the mixing in an odorless container and lets you know when your organic fertilizer is ready.

-Herb garden.
Give them a plant-your-own kit of herbs or other edibles. Start out small with some seeds and windowsill pots or let them create a hydroponic garden. The possibilities are endless.

-Solar lamps.
Brighten up the front walk with attractive lights. Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy by day and illuminate at night. Most come with automatic activation and on/off conservation switch, while some require rechargeable batteries to assist with LED display.

Feeling crafty or thrifty? Eco friendly gifts don’t have to be expensive. There may be a bounty in your own back yard:

-Homegrown harvest.
When your garden is bursting with tasty vegetables, set some aside and use later as gifts. Try your hand at canning or pickling. Make your own salsa or relish. These can be packaged in reusable mason jars. Herbs, garlic and peppers can be dried and wrapped in hanging garlands or made into wreaths.

-Fruity fare
Fruits and berries from your own trees or local pick-your-own farms can result in jellies, jams and preserves. They can also be dried to make healthy, tasty treats to give as presents.

-Evergreen centerpiece
Gather up plenty of fallen pine cones and put them in a basket or bowl that looks like new. Cut some sprigs of Mulberry or Nandina. Clip a few boughs from evergreen trees or bushes and make an arrangement for your holiday table or someone else’s. Re-use that beautiful ribbon you’ve been saving or pick up some raffia to put on the finishing touches.

When giving your Eco friendly gifts, don’t forget to use recycled or recyclable items to wrap, tag and send them. Keep the theme going.