Earth Friendly Gifts

[Siriradha]

 I'd love to see some imaginative ideas for gifts that help lead to sustainable living. 

 

In my yard, I grow many plants that multiply like crazy, thus giving me multiple opportunities for giving.  Some plants I've shared on freecycle this month are: lilies of the valley, feverfew, ladybells, zebra grass, spearmint, peppermint, chives, daylilies, lambs' ears, and wild geraniums.

 

Sometimes, instead of freecycling, I leave attractively packaged plant babies in public places for people to find and take home.  I've also been known to invite strangers to share my bounty by chalking a "Free Plants!  Just Ask--I'll Share" message on the sidewalk with an arrow pointing to the house.

[Mary Johnson]

I love this discussion! Plants are such a great gift, especially when you've grown them yourself.

My husband bought my first lavander plant and it's doing beautifully. It's organically grown and culinary-grade. I'm planning to make chocolate chip lavender cookies to send as gifts. When made with just the right amount of lavender (not too much), they're heavenly. I'm also going to make lavender sachets to put in drawers and give as gifts. I just hope I can keep the lavender growing here in pots year round.

Today, we had my husband's family over for BBQ and swimming. In addition to the great company and wonderful food, one sister-in-law brought us fresh basil from her garden. Another brought fresh french bread. Thanks to them, our light dinner tonight will be baked/broiled bruschetta with thinly sliced tomatoes from our garden, the beautiful basil, sliced garlic, fresh mozzerella, EVOO, and cracked pepper on lightly toasted french bread. Mmmmmm.

[sharon]

How very cool! I Do freecycle and look for things people want and try to fill their needs!
I wish you lived close enough for me to come over!

I share babies too! We could swap, I give out chicks and hens, spider plants, coleus, pathos, airplants, heartshaped philodenron, and more I do not know the names of!

[Golden Phoenix]

Love your ideas....it is really nice... especially herb, so they can enjoy and eat it too....wish i had more time for planting...Great idea Sirriradha.

[Siriradha]

Anyone who wants to is welcome to give me any one of the following gifts:
1) Go for an eco-run, getting your exercise while picking up recyclables to bring home to your recycle bin
2) Hang a load of clothes instead of using the dryer. I don't have an outside line, but my drying rack and the hangers suspended from a former chin-up bar work just fine
3) Start a plant right now to give away later
4) Give a reusable grocery bag to the person in front of you at the grocery store if all there stuff is going into paper or plastic.
5) Skip the straw when you buy a drink at a restaurant. If the glass isn't clean enough for your lips to touch it, you don't want to drink from it anyway!
6) Don't keep the envelope from the bank drive-up. Just take your money, receipt, etc, out and put the thing back in the tube.
7) Run an errand using your own two feet, a bike, or public transportation.
8) Buy at least one eco-friendly cleaning product.
9) Try the Marcal Small Steps paper products. Their toilet paper and paper towels are made from recycled paper, not from freshly-cut trees.
10) Start a compost pile.

[sharon]

Awesome challenge, let's see where to START....

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Wow! What fabulous new ideas. I love it. Did you make the cookies yet Mary? They sound yummy... All the ideas are something to think about and do for the earth and others too.I would love to get the Grandkids involved in this as well~ Best to start young! Thanks for starting this group and the ideas from everyone. Makes me want to do more. Love the chalk line to the house! It would be neat to see and do...

[Mary Johnson]

No, I haven't, but now I know what to put in the coil basket I have sitting here waiting to send you!

Mary

[Siriradha]

Small thing--stick a rock in your birdbath so that the butterflies and honeybees that come for a sip don't drown. Came up with this one when I fished a honeybee out of the water this morning.

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Oh Mary! I love surprises! xo I never thought of the rock in the birdbath! Great idea. Thanks~ This is so nice to get these new ideas!

[Mary Johnson]

I put a big shell in my birdbath for decoration, but never thought about the insects - nice! Especially in light of our diminishing honeybee colonies across the US.

Save the honeybee!

[Siriradha]

Mary, a big seashell would be brilliant!

[Kris]

We have started many earth friendly things at our house:
~My husband put up a clothes line. I use it every day. I have long winters so I have to use it when I can.
~My husband also started riding his bike to work. I am proud of him. The moms in the neighborhood take turns during the school year taking the kids on their bikes to school.
~Plant share - my aunt gave me raspberry canes, bushes and other ground cover this summer. I built my house 1 1/2 years ago so we are only beginning to landscape. I have taken wild flowers from my backyard and planted them in my flower beds along with wild roses. We have planted some grass seed that was given to us from a farmer friend. Most of our yard is clover. It smells beautiful. We may not have a golf course lawn but it is lovely.
~Water conserve: we have a well so we watch how much water we use. My kids always leave glasses of water around the house or in their bedrooms. I used to pour it down the drain. Now I water my plants and top up my fish tank. It never gets wasted and my plants are always green. To add to that - I have lots of indoor plants= fresher air!
~food share- I only live 10 minutes from town but when you are short an egg or some flour it becomes an hour trip plus gas. My neighbors and I always call each other first and share what ever we have.
~Kindergarten/preschool crafts: when I am teaching I teach Kindergarten. I always need egg cartons, buttons, scrap fabric, lace, colored paper, feathers, stickers, calendars etc. I enlist my parents to donate what they have. Ask a Kindergarten/preschool teacher near you if they would like any donations. Recycled items are always appreciated. Even yogurt containers for paint etc. I also keep a lot of these things at home for crafting sessions. Neighbor kids love to come over and have a crafting session.

That is it for now....I have many more ideas and will post them when I think of them!

Happy Earth Friendly gifting!

Kris