Green gifts

Environmentally conscious gifts are all the rage, I'm told. Here are a few that crossed my Inbox.

The Clear2O actually sent in a sample pitcher, and it quickly became the most desired press material in the newsroom. It uses "a unique block carbon filter that uses pressure to force the water through solid carbon and eliminates more contaminants than granulated or powered carbon found in most pitcher filters." "The result is cleaner, healthier, great tasting water and a pitcher that holds 50% more filtered water and can be filled in 38 seconds Ð nearly 9 times faster Ð than the leading-brandÕs comparable pitcher." It connects directly to standard faucets and purportedly has longer-lasting filters.

The Matter Group makes toys and games intended to entertain while inspiring children to preserve the planet. This year, the group is pushing Mission: Indonesia, the newest edition of the Xeko card game that teaches kids about endangered animals and conservation hotspots, and Xeko Eco-Pals, plush toy animals based on the world's endangered species. All Xeko products are made with earth-friendly materials and minimal packaging, and 4 percent of net sales are donated to Conservation International.

"A perfect stocking stuffer for your tree-hugging mother or sister is the EcoHanger." Hey, now, brothers and fathers can hug trees and dig on hangers, too. Anyway, the EcoHanger is made of 100 percent recycled and recyclable paper and features environmental scenes. Buy EcoHangers at www.hangernetwork.com in quantities of 12 ($8.99) or 24 ($16.99).

DrivingGreen.com lets you "fight global warming by making someone's car (flight or event) carbon neutral by offsetting its carbon emissions for about $50. Simply plug in the year, make, model and estimated mileage in the easy-to-use calculator and it will tell you how many pounds of CO2 are emitted each year and equivalent cost of to purchase the offset credits." Recipients also receive:

• Certificate that verifies the credits that were purchased in their name, and serial numbers to track the work they are doing
• T-Shirt that reads "I Emit No Gas -- Greenhouse Gas"
• "his Vehicle is Greenhouse Gas Neutral" License plate Holder
• "The Vehicle is Greenhouse Gas Neutral" Window Decal

The La Fresh Group offers a of travel wipes that are made with biodegradable cloth. They includes makeup remover, shoe shine and lens cleaning towelettes. The towelettes, priced starting at $4.50, come in sets of four or six and include an "airport security-friendly" clear travel amenities bag.

Eco-artware.com offers a variety of small gifts made of recycled, reused and natural materials, including:

• Necklace from vintage chandelier crystals
• Cuff links from retired typewriters
• Handmade rabbit made with a recycled sweater
• Letter opener with hand turned wooden handles from reclaimed trees

The Fragranza collection, from Nature's Gate Organics, is made with certified organic alcohol without parabens or phthalates (which is important, I'm guessing). The scents are unisex and are "filled with a variety of fruit and floral essences to uplift the senses and brighten the winter days and nights that lie ahead." The scents:

• "Embrace Complexity with Labrinto. A clean, pure, refreshing, cool scent. Exhilarates the senses with clean and crisp cucumber, cool White Freesia and subtle, sensual spice."
• "Live in the Present with Presento. An all around warm, fresh, soft scent. It awakens the senses with the soothing warmth of White Grapefruit and Clementine. Fresh flowers Neroli and Jasmine refresh and entice with soft Musk and Amber spices."
• "Love with Strength and Sicuro. A light and airy, yet delicate and sensual scent. Invigorates the senses with an intricate blend of Citrus, Lily and rose florals and a hint of Anise."

BookSwim.com, which rents hardcovers and paperbacks, has a special holiday gift card program -- for every card sold regardless of amount, the site will sponsor the planting of a holiday evergreen tree with the help of Eco-Libris, a service that balances out book production by planting trees. BookSwim.com also notes that renting books is a lot more environmentally friendly than buying.

For more, check out a list of safe, green toys Co-op America's www.SafeGreenToys.org. The organization's main site lists environmentally friendly companies.

And finally, here are some suggestions from the Slifter Holiday Green Gift Guide:

• "Planet Earth DVD Set: Simply one of the most amazing and thorough series ever filmed about Earth, and so entertaining you might forget it's created by nature not Hollywood. Did I mention the slow-motion shark scene?
• "LED White Solar Lights: Deck the halls with solar powered lights this season and feel good about the holiday joy you are spreading.
• "P3 P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor: Knowing what your consumption is the first step to reducing it. Use this handy tool to figure out what appliances are sucking out the most energy and dollars out of your wallet.
• "Solar Science Lab: Green education should start young and be fun! Over 30 fun activities to start kids learning about the power of the sun.
• "Eco-Click Recycled Camera Bag, Small - Walmart Exclusive
  When you are outdoors taking pictures of nature, make sure your camera is protected by something as green as your surroundings.

Comments

[Steve Turner]

Xeko rocks and it's an ideal gift from those of us who just "get it". Starting your kids off early with a mind on our environment sets them up for a lifetime of eco conscious purchasing. You can find some good images to add to your post like you have for the other products at XekoShop.com.

[Kyle Jones]

You got it, Steve. Done and done.

[Max]

That Eco-artware site has some neat stuff (I thought the traffic sign wreath was pretty clever) - good find!

[Kyle Jones]

Max, it does have some neat stuff. I was really excited about the typewriter cuff links, too.