I think the best way to make your gifts green this holiday season is to focus on quality over quantity. A good example of this is with children’s toys. Yes, you can spend $50 and give your kids 10 cheap gifts. Lots to open. But also more likely that the toys will be poor quality, will break soon, and will end up in a landfill. Why not get one high quality toy with lots of play value instead (think something that will spark a child’s imagination, rather than something that will entertain will lights and noise when pushed)?
Another great green gift idea is to make a donation to a charity in honor of your recipient. I think this is especially nice for those hard to shop for relatives who don’t really need more stuff anyways. Some friends of ours like to support the charity Heifer International. We often support the Environmental Working Group around the holidays.
Last but not least, how about giving the gift of food! This is a thoughtful, inexpensive way to give. Why not make fudge, your favorite cookies, or some other fun treat and give that to neighbors and loved ones? If you give it in a reusable container of some sort, then nothing ends up in a landfill!
