Simple, Green & a Little Frugal Christmas Ideas

Holiday gifts don't need to be elaborate or expensive, the best gifts are the most thoughtful. Many gifts given today are "stuff", which takes up space, clutters our lives and in the end gets thrown away and fills our landfils. Here are some simple and green Holiday gift ideas (some are frugal, some not so much).

The two best types of Green Gifts usually take a bit of thought about who you are buying for and what they are interested in, but once you have an idea they are easy to put together and in most cases not to bad on the wallet either. I'll call them Experience Gifts and Comsumable Gifts.

Experience Gifts can be a bit costly, but are very easy on the enviorment. These gifts involve doing something, not purchasing a "thing" to clutter up your home. Experience gifts are things like theather tickets, tickets to a ball game, or certificate to a restuarant. Everyone has heard of these things, they are not new, but maybe you've nevered looked at it a being green, yet it is!

To move beyond the usual tickets as experiences, which can get very expensive, you can be a bit creative and make a very memorable experience of your own. How about a trip to the movies, taking a younger relative to mini-golf and ice cream, bowling and pizza, or an afternoon of baking cookies. How you package these gifts can be the key to the excitement. For an afternoon of baking cookies, create a "certifitcate" or "coupon" for Cookie Lessons with "Aunt Laura" (get it- like- cooking lessons, but with cookies) you can tie it to a package of sugar cookie mix, a few small cookie cutters and a child sized rolling pin, all wrapped in a bow. Children tend to need that instant gratification, so attaching a small item to the certificate is always good. For baseball tickets attach a pack of baseball cards. For movie passes attach a big box of snowcaps. I always encouarge "experience gifts" for my kids birthdays.Because the last thing they need it more "stuff". Their birthdays are just before school lets out for summer, so it gives them a bunch of fun afternoons to start off their summer vacations.

The second type of gift I'll call a comsumable gift. These are things that people would purchase and use anyway, you're just putting it together in a gift form. This gift has the quick chance of being corny, cheap or gimicey, if you are not careful to be very thoughtful in what you buy. These gifts are more like your traditional "gift baskets". But I warn not to buy the pre-made baskets at the drug store. These tend to be full of cheap items and knick-knacks or junk. If you know someone who likes candles , filling a basket with dollar-store candles probably won't meet their standards. And a true hobbiest, golfer, or gardener won't use the items in the pre-made set becasue they aren't the "brand" they prefer. But if you know someone's interests, really know what types, styles and brands they prefer. Putting together your own basket of a few smaller (less expensive) items, that you know they will like, into a gift set, really shows you care and that you put some thought into it. And remember it is better to get a few small items you know they will love then a ton of "junk" they won't use, because the ton of junk is just headed right to the back of the closet or even the dump.

Consumables are great because you are buying what this person would have otherwise bought for themselves. It adds less waste to the enviroment, and does not clutter up their house as it is something they will "use up". Here are some ideas for consumables:

For an animal lover:
their pet's favorite treat
a new leash or toy for their pet
pet brush or "messy bag" refils

For the Car lover:
Bucket filled with
car wash, car wax
new sponge
shamois

For the golfer:
set of 3 golf balls (make sure you know the brand they like)
sm. bag of tees, ball marker
or "key" for repairing ball marks
(Do Not buy the plastic drink dispenser that looks like a golf club and goes in their golf bag- this is where the "junk" or "kitch" would be bad)

For the candle lover:
be sure to know the brand and scents they like!
1-2 votives
snuffer
bic Candle lighter (one that pivots- is great)

Last year I asked for 2 "baskets" from my family- I was specific in what I would llike in them and I did receive the "cleaning" one. To share my idea I will tell you what I had asked for, with specific brands.

My "Cleaning " basket:
A new "caddy" to hold it all
scrubber sponges, regular sponges
Lysol all-purpose spray (I love this stuff & use it on everything- kitchen/bathrooms-everyroom)
Comet
Windex wipes
Pledge wipes
Magic Erasers

I had also asked for a "bathroom" basket, but did not get it, but I will share what might be in such an item:

For the bathroom (this basket you would really, really need to know the person or family)
5 new toothbrushes (one for each person in my house)
Kids Crest Toothpaste (the only kind my kids will use)
Adult toothpast - any kind will do
Q-Tips
Flossers
Kids Act Rinse- bubble gum flavor
Soap Soft pump dispenser- any scent
Two new hand towels and matching washcloths

I hope this helps you to think creatively about what you are buying people this year.Think Green! Think experience and consumable! Use a little imagination & take some time to think and then the actual buying should be easy. If you noticed most of these items can be purchased while you are doing your grocery shopping or a quick click on-line. Both save gas (go green) and do not cause you to waste time driving all over town.