Do-It-Yourself Gifts - Green Holiday Gift Guide 2009

Show you care by giving custom-made gifts that don’t waste precious resources.

Singer 2932 Sewing Machine $135 Why it's green: For copying celebrity looks to repairing hems and zippers to help your clothes last longer, the Singer 2932 Sewing Machine has the easy-to-use functions and stitching options that make sewing a breeze even for novice sewers. Recommended by: TreeHugger
Salad Garden Kit $30 Why it's green: Even city dwellers with little more than a sunny windowsill can grow their own salad greens, all year round. Your food can’t get more local than that. Recommended by: NRDC Simple Steps

Customized Cloth Napkins Varies Why it's green: Using cloth napkins instead of paper is a lovely way to cut down on waste, but laundry can pile up. Print a different image on each napkin, have each family member pick a favorite design, and they can use it more than once before washing. Recommended by: Conscious Consumer
Food Gifts Varies Why it's green: Using local and organic ingredients when you can and choosing the most minimal, eco-friendly packaging makes for a personalized gift that’s light on the planet. Recommended by: Conscious Consumer

Smooshed Ice Cream Set $19 Why it's green: Big chain shops charge lots of money to smash candy into ice cream. Instead, make your own summer treats. This affordable set helps you create a season's worth of tasty memories. Pick your own goodies, make your own ice cream, and smash away! Recommended by: Green Picks
Tickets to a Local Event Varies Why it's green: Make memories you can share by giving tickets to a sports game, concert, amusement park, theater performance, or other event. Package the tickets with a picture frame, then you can take a photo of both of you together at the event. Recommended by: Green Picks

Personal Babysitting Gift Certificate Free! Why it's green: Give the gift of time to a harried parent. While mom or dad are out, play with kiddo in a park or whip up a tasty organic snack. Recommended by: Green Picks
ReadyMade Magazine $20 per year Why it's green: Imagine a bike wheel as a pot rack or a snowboard as a coffee table. Reusing and recycling are common themes in this hip magazine for crafty folks. Bursting with project ideas, ReadyMade will inspire anyone who owns a glue gun. Recommended by: Green Picks

Wine Cork Trivet Kit $13 Why it's green: Turn eight wine corks into a handy trivet to keep hot pots from damaging the table or kitchen counters. It's even cooler if you've saved corks from special bottles of wine, such as that wedding champagne or 21st-birthday toast. Recommended by: Green Picks
Homemade Infused Vodka Around $30 Why it's green: Find organic fruit, herbs, spices, or peppers at the farmers market (or your garden) and soak them a bottle of vodka (organic also, if possible). In two weeks or less, you'll have a flavored treat for holiday cocktail parties. Recommended by: Green Picks

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