Go Green With Eco-Friendly Gifts

You know what they say, 'tis always the season for giving! I've come up with some products that are green and good for the environment.

1. Shoes. Eco-friendly shoes by definition have had little or no negative effect on the environment. These products can be made out of green materials such as vegetable tanned leathers, hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, or recycled polyester. They also could have been manufactured in a plant which is powered in an energy-efficient way such as with solar power or wind power.

2. Jewelry. Ecologically responsible jewelry is created in a manner which does not harm the earth or create pollution. For example, gold and diamond mining can be very destructive to natural life because it is a nonstop process. If you buy gold jewelry, please make sure that it is recycled gold because that ensures that no ecological harm was done in order to make it.

3. Clothing. Clothes that are made out of natural materials and dyes are a good choice because they don't require a lot of processing, which means fewer emissions and less pollution from the factory. Examples of earth-friendly fashion include clothing designed out of organic, or recycled fibers.

4. Flooring. This is one of the bigger gift ideas, but it is also very practical and functional. Studies have shown that indoor pollutant levels can be 2-5% higher than outdoor levels, so this option is good for the planet and good for your heath. If you want to go green with your floor, some excellent items include recycled metal tiles, recycled glass tiles, recycled and sustainable wood, cork, bamboo, linoleum, and stones. These materials are biodegradable, and constructed in a manner which is sensible and earth-friendly.

5. Yoga mat. Green yoga mats allow you to feel good while you're exercising, as well as when you aren't because you will know that you've made a nature-friendly choice. These mats are made out of biodegradable materials such as natural rubber, which are sustainably harvested from rubber trees. Such materials are safer for your health, as well as for Mother Nature.

6. Furniture. Naturally made furniture can include beds, tables, chairs, and desks, or even natural rugs for decoration. Again, the type of materials that are used is very important because whenever possible, they should be biodegradable, sustainable, and/or organic, and the wood should have as little contact as possible with ecologically harmful chemicals.

7. Appliances. Using energy-efficient appliances is one of the simplest ways to start living a green lifestyle, and whoever uses them can expect to save money from power costs. By also using alternative energy sources to fuel these appliances, you could make double the impact. The solar oven serves as a good example of this concept because it utilizes the sun's light energy. It can be used outdoors for the same functions as a gas or charcoal grill, but without the emissions.

8. Countertops. This is another rather large idea for a present, but it makes a big statement. Like environmentally-safe flooring ideas, countertops need to be manufactured in a low-impact way using natural and organic supplies as often as possible. Some popular and beneficial materials include recycled glass, natural stone, and paper-based fiber composites.

9. Tote bags. A very simple and easy way to cause less harm to our natural surroundings would be for everyone to stop using plastic and paper shopping bags at the store, and convert to reusable tote bags. A nice tote bag would be the gift that kept on giving.

10. Packaging. You cannot have a good present without the proper packaging, so this is a really good way to take a step in the positive direction. By using either recycled paper or "treeless" paper, that would be an excellent way to do something nice for someone else, including planet Earth. There are also display cards that are made out of treeless plant fibers such as hemp, pineapple leaf, straw, jute, hyacinth, or cotton.