While I can’t speak for all environmentally friendly women out there, I’ve compiled some gift ideas that I think would make a Christmas merry and bright:
Cosmetics
I’ve written enough about bad products available out there, but did you know there are hundreds of really good products? I tend not to regularly purchase them because they’re expensive. But now’s the time to surprise a woman with a little treat like safe lip gloss, eye shadow, or perfume. (Personally, I’m a huge fan of Badger Fair Trade Cocoa Butter Lip Balm, Honeybee Gardens eye shadow – especially Moondust – and any fragrance of Pacifica’s solid perfumes.)
Even though it’s a tad practical, organic shampoos, conditioners, lotions and soaps make great gifts.
Are you wondering what brands are safe – and unsafe? Check out the Cosmetics Safety Database before you hit the stores.
Spoiled by oils
You could even package several bottles of essential oils for a thieves oil gift – eucalyptus essential oil, rosemary essential oil, cinnamon essential oil, clove essential oil and lemon essential oil. Include a recipe – in a two ounce bottle, add one tablespoon of each oil. Fill the rest of the bottle with extra virgin olive oil and gently shake. Use the aromatic concoction to ward off – or soothe – sickness.
Electronic media
While I prefer traditional, print books – and magazines and newspapers – I know they’re not so environmentally friendly. (I’m reminded of this whenever I see a huge bookcase filled with books.) Consider giving the book worm in your life an electronic reader like a Kindle.
Like books, the same goes for music. Buy an MP3 gift card so music lovers can pick out their own tunes.
Green sleeves
One gift certificate I really enjoy is to my favorite thrift store. For a modest sum, I’m able to replenish and update my wardrobe. (Let’s be honest. I’m able to completely get a new wardrobe with the thrift store prices.) Since no one needs thirty sweaters in a drawer, I simply weed out anything that looks to worn or that I don’t love, and then either donate my hand-me-downs to friends, charity, or take them to a local consignment shop.
Gift certificate ideas that help small businesses include haircuts at independent salons, manicures at locally owned nail salons, massages by independent masseuses, or merchandise at local natural foods stores.
Homemade rules
If you’re not crafty at all, lots of other people are. And they’re trying to earn a little money with their skills. It’s easy to get overwhelmed – in a good way – by amazing gift ideas on Etsy.
Talk back
Disclosure: By ordering certain items linked to this post, Accidentally Green will receive a small commission from Amazon.
Photo credit
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Kristy K says
I love a good, old-fashioned love letter :).