Green Gift Monday coincides with Cyber Monday, November 29, the official start of the online holiday shopping season. Green Gift Monday aims to encourage people to give gifts that make a difference, like energy-efficient products, experiences rather than physical gifts or buying a virtual gift through a charity.
I think this is a great idea. I often buy people gifts from charity online gift stores. My favourite is the RSPB Good Natured Gifts. Gifts bought from here help to protect birds and other wildlife in the UK and overseas. In the USA, charity shops include the Nature Conservancy Gifts from Nature Shop.
I have found though that not everyone appreciates the virtual gift. I have one (former) friend who hasn't written to me since I sent a virtual charity gift (a donation for a home for dormice it was). I even wrote to ask if she had received the gift and no reply (and no she hasn't moved house!). So it may be useful to check whether the recipient likes the idea of a charity gift or if they'd rather have something for themselves. If it's the latter then you still have a wide range of ethical gift choices, including fair trade or locally made crafts, jewellery or clothes, organic and fair trade food hampers.
You can also make gifts greener by wrapping gifts in recycled papers, or making gifts or cards from recycled materials.
You can find links to most of my posts about green gift ideas here.
Red text in this post links to external websites, where you can find out more.
Great idea, I was just thinking about something along those lines early this morning.
ReplyDeletejust wanted to say I really like the new photo in your header. I have bought charity gifts for my family several times in recent years and always had a positive response
ReplyDeletemuch love
martine
Once again, the long haul to make all our Christmas decorations from the year's leftovers is beginning...
ReplyDeleteWe do them ... make a big production out of it. Kids love it.
ReplyDelete