I think a lot of us are taking a handmade, DIY approach to gift-giving this year. It's certainly the greenest (and most affordable) option. I've tagged a few sweet recipes I want to try making as food gifts (which will require the purchase of this handy kitchen tool.) But I also have my eye on a bunch of fantastic handmade gifts and lovely finds made with sustainable materials. If they don't make it on my to-buy list as Christmas gifts, I'm sure a few will make the cut as wedding gifts, shower gifts, or a special gift to myself in the new year.
+ Make no mistake, if I received a box with this succulent kit inside, I would do a shameless dance of joy. I think a living, breathing plant is one of the greenest gifts you could give. And this low-maintenance bowl of succulents gets 5 stars for style — you're basically giving someone the coolest centerpiece to have on their table all year round. This fishbowl kit is custom made in a recycled glass vessel. Succulent Love snaps a photo of your design, carefully wraps up the elements, and sends everything in a box along with special directions on how to recreate your succulent design. ps. Kelly, the wonder designer behind this beauty, crafted together her wedding with gorgeous succulent touches — definitely check it out.
+ I have a weakness for pretty drinking glasses, and these tumblers double up on two things I love: recycled glass and Moroccan style. A giftset of these recycled tumblers would surely make someone's day.
+ For all the new moms, there's a solid maple teether that's an eco-friendly alternative for baby to nibble on. I spotted this on Rosie Hippo, a site all about natural, handmade finds for kids.
+ There's nothing like having a fantastic stand to display the homemade cupcakes you proudly made from scratch. Perfect for the aspiring baker — an Acacia wood cake stand.
+ Head over heels for this Indian paper pad and its 500 sheets of recycled paper with graphic images from Bollywood posters to Indian washing detergent ads. This is no average Post-It pad.
+ Molly, my amazing cousin-in-law (is that the term? can I just say cousin because I'd like to be more familial with this wonder woman) has lived everywhere from Vermont to Thailand, so she knows something about fair-trade and tipped me off to Dolma Designs. There I found this super pinwheel tablecloth that's simply modern in style, completely handmade by Indian artisans under fair-trade practices, and costs just $36. Found: one perfect gift for anyone who loves to entertain. There's a lot to love about the story behind Dolma Designs, too. The owner, Melinda Haselton, got the name for her company while visiting a Buddhist Geshe in India (Dolma is the Tibetan word for compassion.) Melinda donates 15% of profits to schools in India for poverty-stricken youth. And she's worked with a few other fair-trade businesses to get Burlington, VT, qualified as a Fair Trade City. Brilliant.
+ It's just too darn cold out there for plain old lotion to help dry skin. Moisturizing body oil is my solution. I got to sample this certified organic body oil from Ilha Organics that's infused with green tea, restorative calendula, flowers and amazing scented concoctions like lemongrass oil and ylang ylang oil. Let's just say I'm hooked. Mom, you need this.
+ Yes, finally some options in the green arena for iPhones and iPods (because the pickings at the Apple store last time I checked were quite un-innovative.) Love these felt sleeves that work as gifts for him or her.
+ This blank book measures high on the green ranking: letterpress recycled brown board covers in black soy ink. And, of course, using a notebook translates to being unplugged. Like Bon Jovi, I once called Jersey home, so I had a song run through my head when I saw this book's name.
+ Hello, vintage feedsack cotton giraffe handmade by Laura of Wren Handmade. You're like the puppies on the street that I can't walk by without cooing about how adorable you are.
+ This handknit hot water bottle cover is a gift that's both green and cozy. And I'm betting this will get lots of use on those gloomy, chilly winter days when you don't want to get out of bed (like the one we're having here today.)
I also highly recommend popping over to Pia's blog (this stylist's special space in the blogosphere is one of my favorites) for her Enhance the Everyday gift guides. You'll see what I mean: one big wow of I-want-everything and oh-my-this-is-the-perfect-gift. In my opinion, her gift guides are the best I've seen anywhere — and everything is curated by her careful eye to be some combo of handmade, vintage, sustainable, and simply gorgeous. Check them out: gift ideas for him, for her, for home. Thanks for all the inspiration, Pia.
Tomorrow I'll be sharing stocking stuffer gift ideas: gifts that are $10 or under.
