Take a look at these brilliant eco-friendly gift-giving tips.
1. Make sure that your gift will be used by the recipient
Yes, thought greatly counts; however, if your gift is not used by the recipient, it becomes wasted. Give only material presents if you think that you know the recipient very well. If you know them well enough and if you know what they badly want for themselves, go ahead and give your pal a material gift.
2. Give a consumable present
This kind of gift makes a double pleaser. First, when the recipient enjoys your gift and second, when he/she appreciates the fact that your present leaves him/her with no guilt of it being simply thrown to the corner unused.
3. Include a piece of you
You do not necessarily need to give something material. In fact, why not try offering some service? Perhaps, you can baby-sit while your pal enjoys a date with her partner. You can also give her a gift certificate for a relaxing spa or maybe a whole day pampering at the salon.
4. Give something green
Today, you will be able to find a wide range of green services in the market. Some of which include a Zipcar membership or maybe a gift of carbon offsets for commuting a friend.
5. Write
Nothing can be more personal and heart-warming than a card. To make this deed ?greener,? you can make the card yourself using recycled materials. These materials may be in the form of old pictures, old concert tickets, even old table napkins that you and your friend got when you once ate for dinner!
6. Give something which makes a third party better
For instance, you can make someone happy when you give a card which says that you donated a small amount to charity on his behalf especially if the money will be able to make a child from the other side of the world happier.
7. Give creative gifts which show that you care
A baby sweater which you knitted yourself will give more joy to the recipient. This can even become a family heirloom which will extend the life span of the gifts that you give.
8. Buy something local
A present grown and made locally can share a very unique product which you have discovered in your own community. Your locally bought gift will also help save the environment through less or absence of emissions involved in the shipment.
9. Give high-quality presents
Do not hesitate to spend a generous amount on your presents. High-quality gifts usually do justice to the materials which you consume in manufacturing when these products live longer. You can try secondhand shops, vintage stores or flea markets for these kind of gifts. You can then make it better and customized by giving a little personal touch like writing a message or doing a little paint job.
10. Be cautious about packaging
Always make sure that you use packaging which will not go to waste. For instance, you can use a scarf to wrap the gift or maybe boxes which can still be reused for holding stuff together. An organic gift bag will also be fun.
