Green Gifts

Posted on Sun Dec 9 2007

By: Hilary Feldman in Daily Green Tips

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Ever receive a present that you just won’t use? What about a painful credit card bill that hounds you for months after the holidays? Maybe it’s a satisfying idea to be more involved in gift creation. Or perhaps you want to step off the holiday conveyor belt. Whatever the motivation, this might be a good year to think about homemade presents.

Relax - it’s not as intimidating as it may sound. There are a huge number of possibilities, depending on interests, recipient(s), timescale, and budget. Many projects can get kids involved and often guarantee happy relatives (plus the pressure is off the adults). And homemade gifts are intended to be edible, wearable or otherwise useful.

Popular products can become traditions - my sister’s tiger bark is hungrily anticipated and our customized calendars help the family remember birthdays and so on. Other gifts are more unique and won’t be repeated - the stocking made for my newborn daughter, my mother’s beautiful crocheted hats.

So your curiosity is whetted, now where do you start? First, consider the many options. Cook or bake? Then how about cookies, preserves or other foods to grace a holiday table. Knit or sew? What about ricebags, fleece accessories, bag holders, or aromatic coasters. Love to saw, glue or paint? Birdhouses and bird feeders, along with bat boxes, make wildlife-friendly gifts. Many websites offer assorted ideas. Intrigued by something but never had time to learn? Or maybe there’s a favourite simple but useful item to advance? Maybe a reusable shopping bag made of plastic bags would be handy, spa products are always appreciated, or maybe some green cleaning products along with the recipe.

Now, consider the recipient. Some people will love and appreciate homemade gifts. Others will not. Teenagers may be less impressed by handmade mittens (although knitting is hot lately and new designs are very interesting). Grandparents often are delighted with anything made by the little ones. Gourmet friends might love custom biscotti or a jar of your unique jam blend.

Consider how much time would be involved. It’s not rewarding to get stressed out about handmade shawls for every friend. Some projects take mere minutes, others will need more commitment. The same is true for money: don’t spend more to make presents than you would normally.

It may sound hokey. Maybe even a little too much like antimacassars and hideous sweaters? But times have changed and there are a lot of funky ideas out there. Gifts can be tailored to the recipient, so that they are appreciated and useful. Less packaging, fair trade ingredients, carefully chosen components - any specific concerns can be accommodated.

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