“Buy! Buy! Buy!“  It’s the holidays, the ads are calling out with their siren songs (or are they cattle calls?), and the overwhelming sense of obligation to hurry up and get shoppin’ begins. Commercials with bows wrapped around $40,000 cars may make you feel the expectations are pretty high, but before you max out three credit cards just to show your loved ones you care, consider a few different approaches to giving over the holidays that might bring a little more meaning to the season and leave you with a little more in your pocket.

See our favorite Green Gifts Online

BUY LOCAL
Consider gifts like baked goods from a local bakery, shares to a CSA (community-supported agriculture), or gifts purchased from locally-owned stores.
» CHECK IT OUT
For a listing of locally-owned businesses: www.localsustainability.net or
www.boulder-iba.org.
For gift baskets with Boulder-based products:
Organic Boulder: www.organicboulder.com, 303-440-1295,
Boulder’s Best Organics: www.bouldersbestorganics.com, 303-499-6742,
Basket Kase: www.bbkase.com, 303-543-1405.
For gift baskets with Colorado-based products: www.coloradobaskets.com, 303-664-1401.

CHOOSE A USED TREASURE
Boulder County is extremely fortunate to have a wealth of “reuse retail” stores full of reused treasures from furniture to sports equipment. You can find all things reusable at Eco-Cycle Exchange, including consignment shops, thrift stores, garage sale listings and links to online reuse resources. You can also find and post free reusable items.
» CHECK IT OUT
For all things reused: www.ecocycleexchange.org.

SHARE YOUR GIFTS
Rather than wrapping up a present, give a gift certificate for your talents like knitting or cooking. For the person who has everything but time, give a service like shoveling snow, babysitting, cleaning, helping with yard work, mending clothes, organizing photos, teaching a computer program, etc. Help someone “green up” by going through their home to give it an energy upgrade with CFL bulbs, window caulking, extra insulation, etc.
» CHECK IT OUT
For sharing gifts and other ecofriendly ideas: www.newdream.org/holiday/giftideastaff.php

REVIVE AN OLD GIFT
Do the loved ones on your list have a gift they already love, but that’s broken? Lamps, window screens, door locks, and garden and power tools can all be fixed at several of our local hardware stores. There are also local repair options for vacuums, sewing machines, textiles, backpacks, shoes, knives, etc.

GIVE GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING
Choose holiday gifts that will help your loved ones reduce their resource consumption all year long, such as a reusable tote bag or travel mug, potted herbs, a new or refurbished bike, bus passes, a bike tune-up, an energy- or water-saving device, a compost bin, a pack of rechargeable batteries and a recharger, or a case of compact fluorescent light bulbs.
» CHECK IT OUT
For a gift certificate to the CHaRM: www.ecocycle.org/charm.

CONTRIBUTE IN A LOVED ONE'S NAME
For the person who has everything they need, consider giving a donation to someone who is in need through a favorite organization or group. Take them out to the ball game Give the gift of an activity, such as a movie, museum visit, dinner at an organic restaurant, a massage, a pass to a health center or a Netflix membership.
» CHECK IT OUT
For customizable donations: www.tisbest.org, www.justgive.org.

TAKE THEM OUT TO THE BALL GAME
Give the gift of an activity, such as a movie, museum visit, dinner at an organic restaurant, a massage, a pass to a health center or a Netflix membership.
» CHECK IT OUT
For carbon credit purchasing to offset the greenhouse gases created during your travel: www.sustainabletravelinternational.org

BUY FROM BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES
Purchase presents from businesses that use sustainable resources such as reused, recycled or organic materials. Check companies’ websites for information on their environmental policies and practices—and support those businesses working toward a sustainable future. Look for “Eco-Cycle Zero Waste Community Partner” window clings identifying businesses who are recycling, composting and purchasing for Zero Waste, as well as signs identifying businesses participating in the PACE program (Partners for a Clean Environment).
» CHECK IT OUT
For a list of local Zero Waste businesses: www.ecocycle.org/zws.

 

Green Gifts Online

ecocycle.org/estore makes it easy to give green this holiday season (and year round)! On the Eco-Cycle eStore, you’ll find the best reusable water bottles, recycled paper, safe kids’ products, and much more. Our staff have researched and separated the truly green products from all the rest so you can shop comfortably with a group you can trust.

gaiam.com is a Broomfield-based company and a great place to find organic, free-trade and earth-friendly products.

greenheartguide.net lists local businesses that offer sustainable or healthful products and/or operate in an environmentally-responsible way. Call 303-444-4323 for a printed guide.

vivaterra.com has a selection of handcrafted gifts made from sustainable resources by environmentally-friendly suppliers.

abundantearth.com offers a variety of environmentally-sensitive products and services, such as gifts made from recycled materials and natural personal care and home products.

ecobaby.com provides environmentally and health-friendly items for children and parents, including toys, books, bedding, diapers and clothing.

greenhome.com has an online shopping center for natural, organic and nontoxic household products, and a checklist for greening every room in your house.

thegreenguide.com has a buying guide for everything from appliances to cosmetics to kids’ supplies. Each entry shows you “What to look for,” “Shopping and Usage Tips,” “Product Comparisons,” and more.

ecomall.com is a directory of organic and earth-friendly products and companies. The site also provides resources for those interested in becoming involved with environmental issues and networking with others who support the environment.

nubiusorganics.com offers products to help you get closer to no-impact living, including great gift ideas from reusable bottles and bags to organic baby products.

CHECK IT OUT
Visit greenamericatoday.org/pubs/greenpages for a full directory of thousands of screened and approved green businesses and fair trade organizations offering services and products for everything from accessories to Zero Waste services. Search by “Colorado” to find local companies.