PITCH-IN CANADA
Resource Centre

The Green Shopper Program
"Green" Ideas for Gifts, Special Occasions - Anytime!

Great "Green" Gift Ideas

Be a Green Shopper

Remember the 3R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) when choosing products and wrapping: reduce purchases, buy reusable products, and check for recyclability and recycled content.

• Give a reusable lunch kit
• Give sturdy toys that will become heirlooms in years to come
• Choose a set of cloth napkins and placemats
• Decide on a gift of post-consumer recycled, unbleached paper and envelopes for home, school or office
• Give a re-usable coffee filter
• Give a plant (or live, potted Christmas tree)

Eco - logical  Ideas... !

• Give an energy saving gift such as: a water-saver showerhead. a dimmer switch for lights, or a rechargeable flashlight
• Give a pot of kitchen herbs, bulbs and flower seeds
• Buy or construct a composter
• Decorate a festive basket of bulk items with dried flowers and twigs; fill it with organically grown produce, coffee or nuts, natural soaps, bath salts or scents
• Give a transit pass to conserve energy and reduce pollution

Experiences of Gifts in Kind...

• Give an event or an "experience". Example: a gift certificate for a concert, massage, a night out, cost of participating in a day-hike, a membership to the aquarium or an environmental organization
• Promise to provide your own services for relatives or friends - baby-sitting, dog walking, music lessons, gardening, etc...
• Make a gift of your time to an elderly or disabled person, including cooking, cleaning, or your companionship for reading and outings

Crafts - Make it Yourself!

• Assemble your own cookbook for family and friends
• Create a family story book or calendar with photos, cards and memorabilia
• Give a paper making kit to recycle paper and junk mail
• Make puppets and dolls from used socks and gloves
• Create a collage of pictures and sayings for a special friend and frame it yourself
• Construct a home-made bird house from used materials
• Make a gift of home-made preserves, cookies or cakes - in a decorated "used" jar or basket

For other "Green" Ideas for Gifts, Special Occasions - Anytime click here.

For information about The Green Shopper Program click here.

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