Get a THANKS for your GIVE

Contributed by Heather Wallace, Director VISION House Series, Green Builder Media

As we enter into the week of Thanksgiving we all begin to reflect on things we are thankful for. And one other thing is undeniable...Christmas is not far behind. The "consumerism" of the Holiday Season has gotten a bit out of hand. Black Friday has now become Black Thursday as companies and consumers alike just cannot wait to start spending money on "stuff". 

This year, instead of purchasing that new sweater your dad isn't going to wear or the perfume that you didn't know your sister was allergic to, we'd like to propose some alternative gift ideas that help keep our environment clean.

How many of you receive junk mail? Sometimes that's all there is in the mailbox. Junk. One envelope after another of credit card offers and magazines you didn't sign up for.

41pounds.org is an environmental organization that offers services to help stop junk mail. A one-time payment of $35 covers every adult in a household for five years! And their services help save time, water, trees, climate and the planet.

Know someone who loves the outdoors? Using agroforestry techniques, Trees for the Future have helped thousands of communities in Central America and Asia by planting almost 65 million trees. With a starting price of .10 cents per tree this is not only a sustainable option, it's also affordable.

Know someone who likes wine and candles? Rewined out of Charleston, South Carolina sells candles made of recycled wine bottles from local restaurants. And the best part is that the candles smell like wine (I have personally smelled these and they are amazing). With choices like Pinot Noir, Champagne, Chardonnay and Spiked Cider (apple, clove, cinnamon and hot buttered rum!!), you are sure to find something for everyone.

And lastly, for the girl who just needs a cute bag...Eco J'adore creates handmade (in the USA) designer bags made from local recycled burlap. You can check out their Facebook page to see photos of some of their products.

We'd love to hear back from you all about your own ideas for green gift ideas.