Eco(nomically/logically)-Friendly Gift Giving

I’m not sure how many of my attempts at being eco-friendly this holiday season are based on actually protecting the planet and how much of it is being kind of broke, but I’ve come up with some pretty decent ideas on how to give quality gifts without breaking the bank or being  a super-consumer.

Basic ideas? Refuse. Reuse. Make it at home. Buy local.

Refuse (to buy or receive any more junk)

• Think about what your friends need. Do they always suck at getting themselves oil changes? Is their basket falling off their bike? Do they keep boiling pans dry because they don’t have tea kettles? Most of us have an area of our life that we absolutely suck at maintaining. I feel like this is one of the best areas to focus on for gift giving. My mom sucks at buying herself attractive, somewhat impractical things, so I usually find a pair of locally made earrings (that she will love but would never buy for herself.) Another good thing to focus on is stuff that your friends/family always want. Mark always wants video games. I don’t have a way to make that eco-friendly (except to buy an older video game used), but I do know that he’ll actually use it, and so I won’t be buying something iffy.
• Tell your friends and family what you really want. If you’re at a loss, think of the areas in your life that you’ve been putting off. Have you been meaning to get pots to start a garden but just never take the time to get them? Have you been meaning to start a worm compost but always forget to buy the worms? Are you down to two spoons in your silverware drawer but just won’t go to the store to get more? I know these ideas aren’t sexy or fun or super indulgent, but all of those feelings fade, where as things that you actually need stick around.

Reuse (things of value)

• Do you have stuff in your house that is valuable but you don’t use it? I do. I’ve got a video camera that I’ve picked up maybe four times. Expensive hair clips that just don’t work in my hair. Scarves that don’t go with anything in my wardrobe. So, yep, I’m saying it: regifting. Don’t just throw this stuff at people who won’t appreciate it, but it if you’ve got something that someone would like, and you don’t use it, give it away!
• Goodwill. Or any thrift store. Or garage sales. You can get coffee mugs, to-go cups, clothes, furniture, specialty appliances, all used, all cheap, all perfect (and no extra packaging!)
• Make the packaging a gift. Got something small? Wrap it in a colorful piece of cloth that can be used as a napkin later. Got something big? Wrap it in a vintage blanket or quilt that can be used as a throw or just to keep warm on the couch later.
• Make the packaging used. Like newspaper. Here’s an example. Rather than buying new gift bags, thrift stores often have old ones. (They also have old Christmas cards that never got used!)

Make it at home, share your talents and hobbies

• Bake or easy-prepare treats. Mini apple pies? Mini cakes? Cookie mix from scratch?
• Sew.
• Knit.
• Make loose-leaf tea from scratch.
• Instruct — throw together a how-to book. A recipe book. A “how to get your internet working so that you can stop calling your husband at work to fix it” book. How to make eco-friendly cleaning products from scratch. What do you know that someone else might want to know? Make it.
• Do you have plants? Plants that can easily be replanted as new plants? Like, say, aloe vera? Share them! Are you great at getting seedlings to start? Grow some seedlings. Put the soil in old plastic containers you have kicking around. 

Buy local and fairly when you ‘indulge’

• Okay, so you just really want to give your husband an awesome new coat. Or your friend a great pair of earrings. Or your mom a beautiful painting. Or your brother a fantastic pair of new shoes. Buy them local, and/or try to buy quality for your price. Meaning, if you’re spending $100+ on a coat, did the workers who made it get paid a fair wage? Was the environment treated well in the process? And when you can, keep the money in your local environment. Give it to small businesses who will keep the money circulating in your state. Give it to local artists and designers. Not only do you improve working conditions, treatment of the environment, and the economy, but you also give a gift that is much more likely to be unique and special.

What tips do you have for economical and environmentally friendly gift giving?