A series that runs every Tuesday, where I ask questions unrelated to the environment, fair trade, or local politics that I’ve been wondering about but haven’t been able to google the answers to. Any advice is appreciated.
So most people reading this are all into either into de-consumerizing the holidays, or at least giving green gifts. What I’m wondering is — are some green gifts going too far?
By this I mean: Things like adopting wildlife and planting trees are, in general, positive things. But what do you think of doing these things for other people as gifts? Do you think the average person actually appreciates them?
I ask cuz I’m getting a lot of emails from companies and orgs saying they have great green gifts I should let readers know about. Take DrivingGreen, for ex, which wrote me saying that buying CO2 offsets from them would be an “IDEAL gift for a green-leaning loved one.”
Perhaps, perhaps. I’m just afraid that people will be about as psyched about getting offsets as they would be getting a donation made in their name to The Human Fund…. What do you think?
I made donations for friends and family this year. And here’s how I look at it. I wanted to donate the money anyway and this way friends that wouldn’t have otherwise received a gift, get one and my family gets a bonus present that they can be proud of. I’m getting other gifts to accompany the donations so there’s still goodies to open on Christmas Day.
Comment by Kristen — December 19, 2006 @ 12:57 pm
It is interesting question depends how into green the people are. Some people just like something for themsleves. Maybe a green gift and a cheap book might be good.
Comment by simon — December 19, 2006 @ 1:37 pm
I guess it depends on the recipient.
Comment by Jasmin — December 19, 2006 @ 1:56 pm
Most of my friends would not appreciate a green gift, and would think I’m imposing my beliefs on them. But recently I gave a friend $25 “loan credit” at Kiva.org, and she loved it. So it depends on how well you know your friends.
Comment by Eric — December 19, 2006 @ 5:58 pm
We usually draw names to cut down on gift buying. On the top of my list was a TerraPass. For others that I needed to buy for, I purchased several copies of Inconvenient Truth and sent them with a note extolling the importance of seeing the movie, especially to those right-leaning Orange County friends that would immediately react to Al Gore.
Comment by Jeff — December 20, 2006 @ 6:23 am
i agree with jasmin
but who are all these people one are expected to give gifts to? do people really expect to get a lot of stuff? it is more fun to see kids getting excited about their presents than getting one myself, is it not?
cutting down on the amount of presents is of course a good way of “greening” xmas.
in a way i would more appreciate some square meters of rain forest, some planted trees in rural areas, a ton of CO2 emission rights (within the EU) or something similar then a gift that does not mean anything to me (like anything people would give you because they have absolutely no idea of want you like so they just take the first best thing off the shelves and wrap it up).
btw
the last couple of years i have sent xmas cards to friends and family that represents one tree being planted around lake victoria within the Vi skogen project.
btw2:
Erics idea about giving Kiva credits sounds really positive!
Comment by Johan — December 20, 2006 @ 6:53 am
I think that there are two kinds of green gifts. Those you buy for people you know will appreciate them/do not need anything else (ie: parents who already have or can buy anything they need, but who are very into bird watching received a gift to the Audubon society…). People like my friends received various handmade gifts and/or things I knew they needed which generally had a green angle (bamboo cutting board, etc), but were not necessarily just a donation.
And then there are those which take the place of the stock gifts. You know, those gifts or gift sets of lotion, candles, candy, or other $5 – $25 things which are passed around the office/white elephant party.
In place of those, I went planting seedlings (with treepeople). Each person received a fall leaf with a happy holidays message written on the leaf, and they’re all receiving pictures of the tree throughout the year (taken by me – I don’t know anyone who offers that type of service yet).
Actually, those are the best items to get. The “adopt-a…” items where you receive a personalized note/picture/update on what you have adopted, especially if it is done more than once a year. Then it feels more like a present (both giving and receiving). At least to me…
Comment by Cassandra — December 21, 2006 @ 5:40 pm