Tip of the Day - Green Gift Donations
Looking for a green gift for the person who already has everything? Make a green donation.
For our wedding anniversary this year, my in-laws made a donation to Global Explorers. We were thrilled to think that in celebration of our anniversary, such a great organization was getting a boost. Global Explorers teaches children about the environment and other cultures through international travel, so it was a perfect fit. They gave us a beautiful plant, and a sweet note about inspiring growth and education about the environment. It is a gift I will never forget and always appreciate.
Some people aren’t too keen on the whole donation as gift thing, so you might not want to make a donation for everyone on your list. But if you match the organization to the person, give a little gift, like a plant, bottle of wine, or some fair trade chocolates along with the donation, and add a heartfelt note as to why you chose to make the donation, you can make it a fulfilling holiday gift for almost anyone.
The organization doesn’t have to be specifically environmental to be a green gift. Donating to the United Way, American Cancer Society, Children International, Habitat for Humanity, or any of the many other health or social organizations out there is a gift that doesn’t require production, isn’t plastic, doesn’t use energy in shipping, and won’t ever end up in a landfill.
World Wildlife Federation has a gift donation program that include a token gift for the recipient.
For the wild woman on your list, consider Heifer International’s WiLD Women Change Communities program to help women develop livestock opportunities in their communities.
Through The Nature Conservancy, you can adopt an acre of Costa Rican Rainforest in honor of the recipient.
Or consider donating to Greenpeace or The Sierra Club.
If a straight donation isn’t quite the right gift, consider a gift membership. Gift memberships usually include a newsletter or calendar and updates on the organization throughout the year.