How to Stay Green Even Through Gift Giving

By Karissa Kilgore

So you're going green. Great! But can you stay green? With birthdays, weddings, and numerous holidays, it can be quite a challenge to give a gift that's green and give it in a green way.

Something Old, Something New; Something Borrowed, Something Green

For a newlywed couple, take a look at their registry, if they have one. If they do, consider things they've said they need and think about ways you can make it green.

Some ideas are:

• Clay pottery
• Wooden napkin rings or coasters
• Woven bamboo placemats
• Recycled glass floor lamps

You can probably find a green version of anything they need. Go for natural, unique, lasting gifts. Without a registry, you've got less to go by. Consider traditional gifts, but with a green twist—a simple but elegant wooden photo frame or a set of stemware made from recycled glass. Your creativity is your only limit.

Give the Green

…and by saying that, I don't necessarily mean cash. Think about who you're buying for and what he or she needs. Birthdays and holiday gifts can be difficult to choose, but tap into your eco-creativity and you're bound to come up with a great green gift!

When buying a present, consider how long that gift will be used. Could it be used again afterwards? Being able to predict the use of gifts and buying those that present the greatest chance of being recycled, whether they get re-used or re-made, inherently makes your decision greener.  Once you’ve narrowed it down, be sure to choose recycled plastic over PVC (polyvinyl chloride), organic cotton over processed cotton, and bamboo over cashmere.

Maybe your gift can be more than just an object. Tickets to theater events or other performances are original and thoughtful gifts. Park passes or memberships, given to a person who enjoys the outdoors, are well received. Gift certificates are good, but your control over the gift's greenness stops once it's in your recipient's hands, so that's something to keep in mind.

Wrap It Up

Gift giving presents a difficult obstacle since, by tradition, gifts are wrapped. All those pretty papers, garment boxes, and ribbons pile up and don't get reused. How can you make your green gift the greenest? Get creative with your wrapping.

Instead of a box and then paper, buy a reusable container with a lid. If it's transparent, line it with fabric (which can be reused) and use that to pad your gift, too, if it happens to be fragile. Fabric provides more shock resistance than tissue paper anyway.

If your gift is oddly shaped and your instinct was to grab one of those paper gift bags and some tissue paper, try a canvas bag instead. They're not much more than the sparkly paper bags, but they can be used again as gift bags, shopping bags, or book bags. Hold it shut with something unique—popular choices for children include ribbon, jump rope, or a bandanna; or for a girl hair accessories would do well, too.

No Limits: Green Means Go

The key to green gift giving is creativity. Don't let your typical options hold you back. As with any other purchase, keep in mind its purpose, your budget, and what it will mean to those who use it or receive it. You can't go wrong when you're going green. Give a gift that is eco-friendly so you will have peace of mind and your recipient can appreciate its greenness. Who knows, you might even inspire them to go green!

Karissa J. Kilgore loves to write and has a passion for the Oxford comma. She has her BA in English, and hopes to teach writing one day. Karissa lives in Pennsylvania with her dog Trixie.