Environmentally-Friendly Gift Ideas

Here are a few environmentally friendly gifts that will not break the bank.

· Reusable Shopping Bags -- These should probably only be bought for fellow environmentally conscious friends or family. Otherwise, you are sure to get "that look". You know, the one where the gift opener says, "Ohh, thank you so much." While they are actually thinking, "What in the heck am I suppose to do with these?"

Reusable bags that are almost the size of the traditional paper grocery sack will cost between $5 and $40 dollars, depending on the design, whether or not it has a flap for closure, and/or whether or not the bag is insulated.

Insulated bags are the most expensive, running at about $40 a pop. However, they are not very necessary. One would do just fine spending $15 dollars on a couple of classy looking and sturdy reusable bags.

· Thermal Bottles and Mugs -- Keep those hot beverages hot or keep the cold one's cold in a reusable bottle or mug. As opposed to the shopping bags, these can be given to anyone. Everyone who works in an office setting has at least one of "those people" who seems to need a new styrofoam cup for each coffee they drink, or another paper cup when they visit the water cooler.

A thermal bottle or mug is the perfect gift for anyone. They can be found, depending on size and design, for about $10 to $40 dollars.

· Eco-Friendly Lunch Bags -- These, like the bottles and mugs, can be given to anyone. An insulated and reusable lunch bag beats the wino paper sack lunch bag any day. Again, like the thermal bottle or mug, the price depends on the size and design. One can spend as little as $10 dollars on a bags with out handles, as little as $15 dollars on one with handles, or up to $40 or $50 dollars on a fancily designed bag with handles.

Eco-friendly gifts are an excellent and subtle way to give the constant "thrower-awayers" a chance to help the environment without them even knowing.