Green Gift Ideas for Your Babe

If you’re planning on gift-giving, we have some great socially conscious and fair trade options that we beg you to consider. Fair trade products let you know that people who grew, created, or manufactured them were treated justly and got a fair price for their efforts. So here’s some inexpensive, socially conscious gifts for your favorite someone.

1. Guilt-free Chocolate

The chocolate industry is notorious for child labor, especially in the Ivory Coast, which supplies nearly half the world’s chocolate. If you buy this gift pack, you get chocolate for your sweetheart and a set of fair-trade themed valentines you can use to support the campaign to get World’s Finest to buy fair trade. And your packet comes bundled in a recycled bag! [more fair trade choco]

2. So she can let it out

Does your honey love to write? If so, why not give her a "My Worries" Notebook that according to Mayan legend, takes the worries away? [more eco-friendly stationary]

3. Never late again

Alternative Outfitters’ vegan watches are strictly non-leather and cruelty-free. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re under $35!

4. Frame your babe

This dried-flower picture frame is handmade (at fair wages) by artists in the Philippines, using all natural fibers, including a weed that interferes with local agriculture. [more pic frames]

5. Flowers are so last year

Organic flowers are expensive and they die after a few days! So why not buy your honey an organic window box. It comes with organic seed packets and soil. [more window boxes]

6. Give 'em jewels

Global exchange has tons of jewelry for him and her at decent prices. And your babe will enjoy the piece even more knowing that Fair Trade benefits the craft workers, their families, and their communities.

7. Meaningful Tees

In our research we found some great companies producing t-shirts for a cause. Here are a
few under $30:

• Because: These special-edition shirts depict heroic people in history – From Gandhi to the “unknown rebel” in Tiananmen Square. A percentage of sales is donated to nonprofits.
• StatAttak: Beautiful infographics reveal compelling statistics about Africa. 20% of sales go toward building an orphanage in Mozambique.
• Part of It: Artists submit designs inspired by their favorite causes; proceeds go the cause each shirt represents.

8. The Gift that’s all Heart

What to give to show you care? Chocolates? Flowers? Potions and lotions? Or dinner for two? With this gift you can give them all - to people who really need them. With this gift, show your Valentine that you really are all heart!

9. Fire those plastic bags

Ecoist handbags are handmade using recycled commercial packaging. For every bag sold, they plant a tree in an area rendered environmentally sensitive by either natural or industrial changes.

10. Good Readings

Good Magazine a smart bimonthly magazine that encourages and inspires conscious global citizens to band together and “give a damn." Printed on recycled paper, the $20 subscription cost goes entirely to the non-profit of your choice.

11. Don't forget about the outside

Native Leaf Gift Bags are an environmentally friendly way to give a gift in a gift. Made in the Philippines; dyes used are certified non-toxic and low impact on the environment. Native Leaf is a fair trade business working closely with producer partners in the Philippines. [more earth-safe gift wrap ideas]