100+ Great Green Gifts

The following is my exhaustive (if I may say so) list of green gift items, just in time for holiday!

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There are so many reasons why the Kindle is great, not the least of which is that it saves trees. My favorite feature is the instant gratification of being able to read whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. Check it out - it is amazing!



When shopping for a gift, you might not immediately think: "my friends and relatives would be psyched to save some water with more efficient toilet flushing!" But you should see this dual flush converter. It saves HUGE amounts of water. Perfect for the DIY-er.



An iPod is green?  You bet.  You can kiss all of the CD and DVD cases goodbye.



Digital cameras are very green.  You can pick and choose the shots you want to print and skip the ones you don't.  I use this camera every day, for photos and HD video.  It's great.



A programmable thermostat is one of the easiest ways to reduce power usage. This particular one is very highly regarded.



I could probably put 5 of these in my home. If you've got a DIY-er on your shopping list, consider this!



This shower head saves water and delivers full-power spray, even in low water-pressure situations.



If you've got a loved one who is determined to have an organic garden, a composter is hugely helpful, if not mandatory. This one is great because it's up off of the ground and spins to easily turn the compost.



Along with the composter, you might also consider these books - they are must-reads!









Plastic does not belong in the kitchen. It leaches chemicals into food. For food storage, microwave and oven, Pyrex is great.





Cast iron is the healthiest choice for the stove-top. It's also great when you want to start something on the stove-top and then move it to the oven for baking. And it is not as hard to care for as one might think (read how, here).











When you don't use non-stick pans, you don't have to use plastic utensils when you're cooking - another health benefit right there.





This has to be one of the most used items in my kitchen. And it's a glorious Empire Red.



For the individual who might want to make their own bread, it is infinitely easier to use a breakmaker. The house never smells better than when there is bread baking!  This machine makes 1 lb loaves, which does tend to limit waste.  It is also very compact, so one may be more inclined to leave it on the kitchen counter and use it more often.





Many parents think that plastic plates and cups are the only unbreakable options they've got for small children. Not true. Check out these great stainless steel items.











My kids love the multiple compartments on this mess tray. It's really functional, unbreakable, fun and dishwasher safe.



And for lunch on the go:



Recycled glass art and jewelry:









The family that plays together stays together!











All little kids love to play with pretend food (girls and boys), whether it's "restaurant", "store" or "house". Our play kitchen is stocked with Melissa and Doug items. They're made of wood and are cheerful and smooth. My kids (two boys) particularly like these items:









You can complete the kids' experience with these items:







Green tip: to expand your play store's inventory, save those empty boxes from your pantry (oatmeal, cereal, etc). If you tape them closed before letting the kids play with them, they'll last longer.

Toddlers love stacking, sorting and threading - here are some nice choices for these activities:







Our favorite puzzles:











And to keep them all organized:



Haba also makes some very cute wooden toys, such as these:







Children's books with a green message:





















Green books for grown-ups:





















When it comes to fitness, I am a bit more lenient about the plastic element. The point is to get the heart rate up and have fun. Hence, the inclusion of items like the PlasmaCar, one of my kids' favorites. Don't forget the helmet!













Favorite cookbooks:











And just because it is so very fun!



But better than any cookbook is the proper use of a thermometer! If you cook meat, poultry and fish to 165F - no more, no less - they will be safe to eat and still deliciously juicy.



Here are a few great little stocking stuffer/secret santa gifts:

















Gift baskets:





Indispensible equipment for babies:





You should also check out this website. We've got a number of his products and the kids LOVE them.

http://www.wildapples.com/