Everyone knows that the true spirit of Christmas can be lost in the capitalist pursuit of acquiring more “stuff.” This “stuff” is usually unremarkable, forgettable clutter that we give just because it’s that time of the year. Do you even remember what you received for Christmas last year? How about those trinket gifts from co-workers that you trash or re-gift (well that’s actually one good green habit our culture has acquired). Why not kill two birds with one stone and give a greenhealth gift that is practical, meaningful and sustainable?

These gift ideas suit every price, taste and age range:

10. Choose organic chocolates like Endangered Species dark chocolate for stocking stuffers. Real chocolate (not the artificial, processed, high fructose flavored imitations) can actually create positive health benefits. The superior taste of organic chocolate equals a win-win situation.

9. Organic Gift Baskets from It’s only Natural Gifts. It is common protocol for companies to give gift baskets to clients during the holidays. Instead of the same old cheese, sausage and crackers box, you can “build-your-own organic gift basket” and choose from a wide variety of organic candy, coffee, herbs, soaps, etc. You also select a natural “basket” that is either an eco-friendly box or canvas bag with the option of adding your corporate logo. Prices range from $5.95 to $154, which is no different from the cost of conventional gift baskets. Now you can impress your clients by gifting the organic, healthy and glamorous!

8. Non-toxic makeup and bodycare products from Ava Anderson. Skip the over-hyped, fruity lotions and bath sprays that people swarm over at malls! If you still have some of those products left over from last year, quickly scan them through the skin deep cosmetics database to determine their toxic scores from a scale of 0-10. Ava Anderson products received the best score of ZERO unlike many of the purported “natural”” products on the market. Besides, Ava Anderson has an amazing story behind her non-toxic start-up ~ this is not your average 14-year old to give you a clue….

7. Gift Cards to local, sustainable, mom & pop restaurants and grocery stores in your community. Instead of giving gift cards from the chain restaurants, support small businesses that work hard to bring organic and green options to your neck of the woods.

6. My heart melts when I hear about kids being introduced to mind-body techniques that will support them through this wild adventure we call life. Very few of us learned how to cope with life challenges in non-toxic and healthy ways during childhood. The Chopra center offers a kids breathing CD entitled I Take a DEEEP Breath! (I Am a Lovable Me).Teaching children about healthy coping skills that will last throughout their lifetime is one easy way to change the world.

5. Remember those juicing infomercials with Jack LaLanne (for the Jack Lalanne Juicer)? I hope you weren’t laughing because the joke’s on you – he just turned 95 years old a couple months ago and is an active, vibrant member of society! Fresh juice made with organic fruits and vegetables cannot compare to anything you buy in grocery stores. Juicing can be a lot of fun when you experiment with different recipes and flavors. A good juicer (like this one – minimal clean up & superior extraction quality) can cost at least a hundred dollars, so give this to a loved one that will appreciate its true value (and to someone you want to enjoy for years to come)

4. A Double sustainable gift would be a subscription to a CSA (community supported agriculture) that will deliver seasonal, fresh-from-the-farm, locally-grown, organic foods throughout the year! Check out localharvest.org to see how it works:

Example: Full Share: $375 per harvest season – 4 harvest seasons per year. Full share members will receive a weekly produce basket for a family of 4. Half Share: $200.00 per season for a weekly basket for a family of 2.

3. Before I begin, Men – please purchase this gift for your significant other IN ADDITION to conflict free diamonds and trips to Patagonia. Water filters (like this one from Watts) aren’t the most endearing gift, nevertheless its short and long-term value is bar none – there is no controversy on the health benefits of pure water. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has an entire program dedicated to helping consumers learn about contaminants in water and tools to help purchase quality water filters (not an easy task). Most importantly, commit to relinquish the low-value-high-cost giving habit and use your holiday dollars to make investments in your health that are truly priceless.

2. Tech toys fly off store shelves on Black Friday but have you ever taken a moment to consider how these items might impact human and environmental health? The EWG developed a user-friendly online tool to present groundbreaking, scientific evidence linking cell phone radiation and its potential to cause cancer and other diseases. Dr. Mercola recommends the BlueTUBE (instead of blueTOOTH) headset technology to decrease cell phone radiation. So add a little precaution to your high-tech gift list.

1. The No-thing gift. If your budget can’t swing the Physical don’t discount the Metaphysical. It sounds corny and cliché but the greenest gift of all is to forgo the consumerism frenzy and give your time to people and organizations that you cherish. As long as you carry a great attitude – YOU can be the non-toxic and no-cost gift . Offer family, friends, charities and strangers your time, energy and joy this season.

Image courtesy of itsonlynaturalgifts.com

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