During the holidays, a time marked with excesses, a simple organic or eco-friendly gift may bring uncomplicated joy to its recipient. Think you waited too long to score a great organic holiday gift? Even during the last minute rush, you can easily find a few natural and earth friendly gifts and spend the last few moments before your celebration sipping your own organic tea rather than frantically wrapping and shopping.
When selecting an eco-conscious gift, keep in mind that high-quality, reusable, and practical gifts are the ones that keep giving. Your recipient will also appreciate limited packaging and creative gift wrap options. Luckily, these gift wrapping methods often save you additional time and money and the following ideas do not even require a trip to the mall.
Have a foodie or wine enthusiast in your life? A simple bottle of organic wine, available in any budget, and possibly a complimentary cheese makes an indulgent gift. Wrap it in a reusable grocery tote or reusable wine case bag and tie a scrap of ribbon around the neck of the bottle to eliminate any wasteful packaging. If your friend or family member prefers a non-alcoholic gift, swap out the wine for a bottle of organic olive oil and replace the cheese with an organic herb shaker for a sophisticated dipping oil set.
A travel tumbler with a package of organic coffee, tea, or drinking chocolate is the perfect present for a friend with a morning commute. You could also toss in some organic sweeteners or coffee syrups as an added surprise. Gift wrap these items in a reusable lunch bag or canvas tote. Use an old gift bag or cut a small corner out of the back of a holiday card to make a gift tag.
Lotions and toiletries are often great stocking stuffer ideas. Unfortunately, many of the conventional lotions and soaps often contain nasty ingredients. You can make a simple organic hand soap to use yourself and give as gifts. Pick up a refillable lotion or soap pump bottle, use one part Dr. Bronner’s Classic Liquid Soap (available at Target, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s), and 5 parts water to make a great hand and body soap. You could also package a bottle of the soap, the dispenser, and the recipe in a bathroom organization tote to make a great DIY hand soap gift. Epsom salts and organic essential oils are also great alternatives.
If there is a fashionista on your list, Whole Foods carries a line of Maggie’s Organics apparel and accessories. Maggie’s Organics is a Michigan company and has specialized in organic clothing for nearly 20 years. My favorite winter accessory is one of their organic printed or solid scarves. The scarf is always the perfect size and looks flattering on every shape. Roll the scarf and tie with a scrap of ribbon then tuck in an organic lip balm for the perfect organic gift to combat the chilly months ahead.
If you bake goodies as gifts, remember that you can swap out your ingredients for organic fare. Present the items on a reusable platter. A non-holiday themed box or plate can be used all year. Cover with a piece of cheesecloth, one of the most versatile and inexpensive kitchen tools, and your packing can be reused rather than tossed away.
