Green Holiday Gift Guide

Green Holiday Gift Guide
Here is a short list of some great gifts to consider for the upcoming holiday season

MAN CAN
From Plum Island Soap Co.

The Plum Island Soap Co. offers a full line of naturally scented soaps and more than 20 different skin care products for bath, beauty & baby. Its products are made from only vegetable-based ingredients, herbs, pure essential oils & minerals.

The Man Can includes:
1 Bar Manly Soap
1 Very Masculine Bay Rum Oil
1 Extremely Spicy Shave Gel
1 Really Scratchy Bath Mitt
1 Jar Fisherman's Hand Butter

The Man Can is $48 and available for purchase at www.PlumIslandSoap.com

ECO EPICUREAN GIFT BASKET
From The Groovy Mind

Feast on this! An unparalleled culinary experience, handcrafted for the eco epicurious.

Gift Basket Includes:

• delicious Organic Tuscan Crostini made with Organic Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• savory roasted Organic Tamari Almonds
• earthy and divine Organic Italian Asparagus Tapenade
• tangy imported Organic Red Pepper Cream
• succulent sustainably caught Sashimi Grade Wild Tuna
• organic family farmed California spicy Curry Cashews
• decadently delish Organic English Walnuts drenched in Extra Rich Organic Dark Chocolate and Organic Cocoa Butter
• truly decadent Nirvana Organic Caramel Dark Chocolate with sea salt
• delightfully spicy Organic Aztec Chocolate
• velvety Organic Milk Chocolate
• micro roasted-to-order, fabulous Groovy Mind Organic Fair Trade Coffee and artisan, Organic Limited Edition Jade Rings Green Tea, sun dried and hand rolled so it unfurls when steeped to a lime green infusion
• groovy unbleached, biodegradable enviro tea sacks.

Gift wrap and card included. $125 at www.TheGroovyMind.com
 
MINI G GREEN BABY GIFT
From Greensender.com

Greensender, LLC is a purveyor of environmentally-friendly gift items, Greensender's initial product was a green starter kit which consisted of a few, high-quality simple items that could be used to help someone get started making some basic green practices part of their daily routine. Most recently, Greensender has introduced this delightful Mini G green baby gift package.

The Mini G Deluxe Baby Gift Package includes:

• “Into the Trees”; original hardcover children’s book
• three organic cotton onesies (6 mo sitting, 9 mo crawling, 12 mo standing)
• two organic cotton bibs (milk bottle pose, spoon pose)
• personal note from sender on 100% recycled paper
• All packaged inside a reusable traymat made out of recycled paper.

At the center of the package is “Into the Trees”, a beautifully written children’s book featuring Mini G. Illustrated by acclaimed Baby Einstein artist, Nadeem Zaidi, the wonders of the outdoors come to life on every vibrant page. $39.95 (as shown) at www.GreenSender.com. (Also available in a deluxe gift pack for $73.95).

GET A GROOVE ON GIFT BASKET
From The Groovy Mind

A totally hip gift that gives recycled new meaning! A rare collection of exceptionally groovy CDs -- rave recording artists from the '70s, '80s, '90s -- like the B52s, Ramones, Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, Aretha – was acquired by The Groovy Mind and is going, going gone. We're talking PRISTINE CONDITION -- original liner notes and lyrics.

Beat Junkies listen up! Get down with Eric or Roy or Aretha when you receive your surprise collector's recycled CD and rev up on killer micro-roasted Organic Fair Trade Groovy Mind Java while you jive to the rush of endorphins with Belgium imported Nirvana Organic Dark Chocolate.

Gift wrap and card included. $45 at www.TheGroovyMind.com

GRIMM GREEN HATS
From Designer Peter Grimm

Peter Grimm Headwear is one of the fastest growing headwear companies in the country. Maybe you’ve seen the impressive designs adorn the heads of celebrities like Eva Longoria or Bono. Now, Peter Grimm Headwear has gone eco-friendly with their Green Grimm line of hats that are created using coffee bean bags from the local coffee brew masters. www.petergrimm.com

ORGANIC COOKIES & BISCOTTI
From Truly Wize Bakery

Truly Wize Organic Bakery specializes in exquisite gift boxes of artisan cookies, biscotti and shortbread gifts that are made with the finest selection of 100% premium organic ingredients. They choose their ingredients from certified organic growers who are committed to the highest environmental standards. Everything in their bakery is made fresh, from scratch, and baked to order to guarantee that your gifts arrive at their best.

Truly Wize was born out of Chef/Founder Caren Weaver’s passion for baking and her quest to create healthier desserts for her children. Through years of organic food research, Weaver became deeply committed to sustainable agriculture and its direct impact on our health and environment. As a former New York chef who was trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Weaver possesses the highest standards for pure, fresh ingredients. She personally selects every ingredient used in their Pennsylvania kitchen. Lots of great gift ideas from which to choose await your visit at www.trulywize.com

PURRFECT GIFTS FOR PETS
From Purrfectplay

Purrfectplay produces wonderful pet products crafted exclusively from organic, chemical free, and fair-trade materials. When you buy one of their products for that special pet in your life, you can be sure it was made with dedication and love. They produce dye free organic pet toys here in the US. They are members of Co-op America and dedicated to a sustainable business model, giving 5% of each sale to no-kill shelters and rescue organizations. They also sell lovely pet-themed items for the pet owner too! Visit them at www.purrfectplay.com. Don’t forget your pet this holiday season.

Decadent Organic Tea-Infused Chocolates
From The Tea Room

Swiss-born, Heinz Rimann, a registered chef and pastry maker, has helped establish some of the finest hotels around the globe from London to Zaire, Hong Kong to San Francisco. His passion for teas from across the globe brought him to start a European style patisserie and tea shop in Los Angeles, known as The Tea Room, where he discovered the marriage of his two most precious foods: a smooth and delicate handcrafted chocolate with perfectly steeped tea.

Looking for a gift that is sure to impress? An assortment of hand crafted organic tea infused and traditional chocolate truffles will deliver pure pleasure to any recipient. The truffles are packed in a genuine wooden lacquer box (not plastic!). These lacquer boxes are handmade in Vietnam and come in red/black or gold/black finish.

The truffle flavors include: Intense Vanilla (a white truffle with Vanilla Bean), Chamomile/Honey (a white truffle with honey, infused with Chamomile tea), Honeybush/Caramel (a milk truffle infused with Honeybush/Caramel tea), Bedouin's Fear (a milk truffle infused with a herbal tea containing Peppermint, Nana-mint Orange Peel and Ginger), Jasmine (a milk truffle infused with Jasmine tea), Extra Creamy Milk truffle, Green Earl Grey (a dark truffle infused with a green tea with Bergamot), Surfin (a dark plain truffle), Extra Dark truffle containing 72% cocoa, and Mate with Nibs (an extra dark truffle containing 72% cocoa infused with Mate tea and Cocoa Nibs).

Many delicious gift-giving options are available at www.thetearoom.biz. The 16-piece organic chocolate truffles in genuine, eco-friendly lacquer box show here is available for $39.90.

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING—ORGANIC STYLE
From Peak Organic Brewing Company

Is there a beer lover on your holiday gift list? Or are you hosting a holiday party for friends and family? Based in Portland, Maine, Peak Organic Brewing Company is committed to making the world’s most delicious beers, and making them in a way that we can all feel good about.

Peak Organic Brewing Company makes beer using the world’s best ingredients—using barley and hops that are grown without toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers—making their beer tastier and more enjoyable, both for you and for the planet.

Serve up some this holiday season.

Pale Ale—a complex hybrid between a West-Coast Pale Ale and a British-Style Pale Ale.

Nut Brown Ale—this beer is designed to start extremely smooth, then to finish with a crisp, distinctive “nutty” finish.

Amber Ale—a lively ale that starts sweet and has a subtle toasted character.

Espresso Amber Ale—a robust amber ale brewed with locally roasted, organic fair trade espresso. The espresso is a dark Sumatran blend, which adds a toasty character in the front palate. This plays nicely off the sweet malty flavors found on the back palate of this amber ale.

Maple Oat Ale—a copper-colored ale with a soft, dynamic mouth feel from the organic oats and a subtle hint of sweetness in the finish from the organic maple syrup.
Perfect for gift giving or enjoying with your holiday meal. Visit www.peakbrewing.com to learn more. Look for Peak Organic beer at major supermarkets and beverage centers.

ORGANIC GOURMET MIXERS
From Modmixx

Cocktail or mocktail? Whatever your choice, you won’t disappoint this holiday with Modmix organic gourmet mixers.

Seen earlier this fall on The Ellen Degeneres Show, the beautifully designed and deliciously festive mixers are made using only 100% organic ingredients—including raw, unrefined sugar and organic fruits and herbs. Because the ingredients come from clean, well-balanced environments the result is a cleaner, better-balanced planet…and a delicious cocktail.

Give your holiday gathering an organic makeover! The gourmet mixers are easy to use—just stir in your favorite spirit if you prefer a cocktail or mix with sparkling water or soda for a delicious mocktail. Perfect for gift giving or for serving at your holiday gathering.

Available in six varieties:

• Citrus Margarita: The freshest of organic limes, a bloom of fragrant orange.
• French Martini: organic pineapple juice and raspberry with a hint of lemon.
• Lavender Lemon Drop: Organic lemon juice mingles with fresh lavender water to create the perfect blend of fruity and floral.
• Mojito: Only the freshest spearmint, the finest raw cane sugar and the juiciest limes go into this perfectly crafted, organic update of this classic cocktail.
• Pomegranate Cosmopolitan: an organic and irresistible twist to the modern cosmopolitan.
• NEW! Wasabi Bloody Mary: the perfect kick of flavor, expertly blending East and West to deliver the freshest twist yet on a long-cherished tradition.

750ml bottles sell for $12.99 nationwide. Whether you prefer a cocktail with alcohol or 'mocktail' without, you'll find Modmix to be an exciting and refreshing treat. 750ml.

Try one of these delicious holiday recipes provided by the folks at Modmix:

Merry Mojito 1 part modmix Mojito 1 part Ginger Ale 1 part rum Lavender Lemon Drop Snowflake 1 part modmix Lavender Lemon Drop 1 part Vanilla Vodka Pomegranate Poinsettia 1 part modmix Pomegranate Cosmopolitan 1 part modmix Mojito 2 parts Champagne

GIFT BAGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS & ALL YEAR ROUND
From Tikkun Olam-LAC

Tikkun Olam-LAC LLC specializes in eco-friendly gift bags. The gift bags like the one shown here provide one-stop shopping for any occasion. The tree-free bag (re-usable for up to 5 years) is filled with items that are all fair trade, organic, renewable, recycled or recyclable—all while delivering a welcomed gift that is sure to delight the recipient. All food items are organic and Kosher. Also included is an insert that details ways of reducing one's carbon footprint, information on endangered species, or a booklet explaining the meaning of organic and fair trade.

The item shown here, the Shabbat/Housewarming gift bag, would make a wonderful gift for any time of year. It includes: 2 soy candles, 2 recycled metal candle holders, 2 organic fabric napkins, 2 Fair Trade placemats, Hamsa, organic chocolate, a greeting card, and information on making a "green home".

Every item in the gift bag, and all the gift bags offered on the website, was carefully selected after extensive research to assure that all were created with environmentally responsible materials and methods. A detailed description of all items is included with your gift bag. Please remember that there will be some variation in the contents of each bag since many items are handmade. The name Tikkun Olam LAC means "repairing the earth with Love, Awareness and Charity” in Hebrew. Gift bags can be ordered for the upcoming holidays or any time of year at www.tikkunolam-lac.com.

INSTANT SPA
From Plum Island Soap Co.

This gift can is a decadent collection of bath & body products that will give the receiver the pampering they need and, most importantly, deserve. Just add water and they will be in relaxation mode instantly! Gift can comes wrapped in clear cello with ribbons. Available in either Lavender or Citrus.
 
LAVENDER INSTANT SPA: Includes Mermaid Milk Bath, Wild Lavender Body Oil, Wild Lavender Soap, & Lavender Water Hydrating Spray.
   
CITRUS INSTANT SPA: Includes Sweet Citrus Scrub, Pink Grapefruit Body Oil, Citrus Scrub Soap, & Sunshine Mist Spray.

The products included in the Instant Spa Can are luxurious examples of the naturally scented soaps and skin care products for bath and beauty offered by The Plum Island Soap Co. The products are made from only vegetable-based ingredients, herbs, pure essential oils & minerals. $54 at www.plumislandsoap.com.

BLOOMING WRAPPING PAPER
From Uncommon Goods

Wrapping paper's one purpose was making gifts look pretty. But all that has changed with this amazing gift paper that is a present all in itself. Each handmade paper roll is embedded with annual and perennial wildflower seeds. The paper is a crisp clean white with the choice of light green or brown antique suns and the words "water me" on the paper. The blooming paper from Uncommon Goods is a lovely, natural alternative to traditional giftwrap. People will love planting the biodegradable paper, watching the seeds grow into a bright garden, and keeping trash out of local landfills. Made in Colorado. Visit www.uncommongoods.com to find out more. (item# 16036)

CHOCOLATE TEA
From SerendipiTea

Imagine the delight in finding a delicious gift box filled with chocolate tea and tisane blends under the Christmas tree? Or the joy on the face of your holiday hostess when she receives not another bottle of wine, but some delicious and satisfying tea.

Here’s a delectable assortment of 6 Chocolate Tea & Tisane Blends from www.SerendipiTea.com. Packed in attractive, re-fillable clear lid tins and presented in a handsome, wooden display box, this gift includes one tin each of:

• Buccaneer: Coconut, Chocolate Bits, Vanilla, Rooibos, Nilgiri Black Tea
• Currantly Cordial: Chocolate Bits, Black Currant, Chinese Black Tea
• Xocatlati Chai: Chocolate Bits, Vanilla, Mint, Cloves, Cardamom, Ginger, Pepper, Cinnamon, Rooibos, Assam, Indian Black Tea
• Pagan Alms: Chocolate Bits, Vanilla, Rooibos, Chinese Green, Gunpowder Tea
• Once Upon a Tea: Peppermint, Chocolate Bits, Vanilla, Mint, Rooibos
• Faux Cocoa: Chocolate Bits, Vanilla, Cloves, Cardamom, Ginger, Rooibos

Approx. 10 cups of tea per tin. Total 6.25 oz. $40. Also available in floral tea and fruit tea gift box sets. The folks at SerendipiTea will even gift-wrap & include gift cards gratis. Visit www.SerendipiTea.com for more information or to place your holiday order.

PLAYING FOR GREEN
From Solutions ASAP

Solutions ASAP, LLC develops new products that encourage communication, make learning fun, and conservation cool. All of their items are made in the USA with as little environmental impact, but as much human impact, as possible. And for each product purchased, one dollar is donated to a wildlife conservation, habitat preservation, or literacy organization.

IPSO FACTO games are entertaining, easy to learn, and easy to play. They’re great games for different ages to play together, for any amount of time, in almost any setting. They are also affordably priced at $12.95 each. They’re excellent conversation-starters, portable, and can be played one theme at a time, or combined.

The object is to collect the most cards by correctly answering multiple-choice questions. Suggested for up to 8 players/teams, ages 10 and up. IPSO FACTO ~ GOING GREEN uses a conservation theme to convey ways to help save our planet and often save money at the same time. www.IpsoFactoFun.com.

JOURNALS, CARDS, AND MORE…
From Nepalese Paper

Nepalese Paper offers a wide assortment of tree free, Fair Trade, handmade paper items from Nepal. In addition to wonderful journals, stationery, and photo albums, they offer stunning wedding invitations, all tree free and Fair Trade. They are Co-Op America members, Purple Book rated, and Green Office Certified. They have been doing business with Fair Trade principles since the company was founded 11 years ago, back when Fair Trade was called "the right thing to do." Visit them online at www.NepalesePaper.com.