Are you stumped as you are tying to think of some affordable and Green gift ideas? One of the benefits of giving "green" is the creativity you can demonstrate while selecting the right gifts during the holidays. Consider these ideas that can be easy on the pocket and have minimal negative impact on our environment.

Give an experience. Tickets to a play, a basketball game, or a local event of some sort is a great way to get the most bang for your gift buck.

Reuse, reuse, reuse. Second-hand stores are great places to find unique, special gifts. Not only are you saving a treasure from a landfill, but often you can find quite a bargain on a high-priced item that someone else could no longer use.

Gift cards. Yes, gift cards. Although not many admit it – everyone loves using gift cards. You should, of course, buy gift cards that will be spent at eco-friendly places. Local food co-ops are a great place to spend and your gift recipient will enjoy shopping for some local flavors!

Donate in the name of. Local causes such as food banks, children organizations, hospice and so forth are always in need of donations – especially during times such as these. A nice donation in the name of your recipient is a gracious idea. Be sure to make a nice card for the recipient as a memory of their donation to the cause of your choice.

The labor of love. Show your feelings for those you are giving gifts by letting them witness how hard you are willing to work for their gift. A batch of cookies or other sweets in a reused colorful tin is always welcome. Personalized gift cards they can "cash in" for a lawn-mowing, gutter cleaning, or house cleaning are all ideas for those that are limited in how they are getting around – especially during the winter months.

Buy local. If you would rather stay closer to a "traditional" tangible gift – at least keep it local. The environmental impact is much less – consider the packaging, shipping and so forth that is behind all of those products we see on the shelves. Buying local also helps keep the local economy moving. There are local merchants everywhere selling Green goods – soaps to wines, furniture to jewelry. The holidays are a great time to meet some of your local merchants and test their wares.

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