"Green" Holiday Gift Ideas

Lisa:
I always stuff my packages with sprigs of holly, rather than crushed paper, before mailing. There's no paper to recycle (or throw away), and the family always uses the holly to decorate their home.

Another anecdote, when my son was young, we spent one year making beads of FIMO (sp?) dough and strung necklaces and bracelets as gifts for the aunts and grandmothers. When his grandmother died, I inherited a little box (Christmas card box, of course) that held the necklace and bracelet she'd received that year: Now I have them to wear as mementos of both my mother in law and my son.

Jessie:
You can make your own holiday cards with recycled paper (as in making your own paper), Wrap presents in recycled paper (newspaper), Save boxes, wrapping paper, and ribbons for next year. Avoid those ridiculous sticker labels by just writing on the wrapping paper.

Megan:
Decorate a tree outside rather than chop one down to decorate inside
Give to excellent non-profits such as RE Sources (a gift membership for someone else?)
Use the Viva La Dishes program for holiday parties instead of paper plates
Stay local for the holidays instead of traveling far away
Use LED Christmas lights
Go for a wintery walk instead of shopping at the mall
Purchase gifts from local artisans and stores
Purchase food from local vendors for holiday meals and parties

Marj:
Giving used items can be "special" rather than "cheap" if presented properly. For example, I just gifted a friend with some 1927 publications on the natural history of Mt. Rainier. She may have seen them on my bookshelf in the past. I know Mt. Rainier is a special place to her so I thought she might enjoy having the pamphlets, and said as much in her birthday card. If the item is particularly interesting to the person, it doesn't need to be new!

Doug:
I promote make-your-own cards in paper making class with elementary school students.
I also plan to make Ann some tables for the greenhouse using re-used building materials.
We got a Rowan a big train track set at a consignment shop plus legoes and other scores saved from garage sales.

Lee:
Purchase items that have easily recyclable packaging.
Use newspaper for gift wrap.
Make greeting cards from recycled paper.
Ask people what they would like or need instead of buying things they might not like or need.
Try to buy used items, if possible, or even better - items that include recycled content.

Katie:
I have a tradition of giving my parents a calendar including pictures I take of my outdoor adventures throughout the year. I get it printed at Copy Source here in Bellingham. It's a personal, useful, meaningful and locally produced gift. It's the only thing my mom requests from me year after year.