Sometimes when I talk about “giving green,” people aren’t exactly sure what I mean. The balloon above their head says, “What, give everyone eco-friendly light bulbs?!” I personally think that’s a great idea, but there are even MORE ways to shine with creativity and thoughtfulness for the holidays! Just like living green, giving green is all about “reduce, reuse, recycle.” It can be tremendously creative and satisfying ─ and it usually means saving green! Here are some ideas. Seeds of Change. Growing herbs or vegetables is easier than most people think…and it can done in pots! Consider giving “starter” kits. Either plant something yourself for the person, or put potting soil in a zipper bag, place it in a pot (you can get creative and personalize the pot too), then include a seed packet or two. Basil, parsley, chives ─ even lettuce ─ grow easily in pots on a sunny window sill or under grow lights. There are also plenty of companies that sell pre-packaged windowsill gardens. Tower of Eco Power. Instead of buying a tower of treats, create your own! Recycle and decorate oatmeal canisters, plastic tubs and boxes, then fill them with green gifts. Examples: organic nuts, chocolates, cookies, recycled paper note cubes, or sachet or organic lavender. And what would fit nicely in an oatmeal canister? An eco-friendly light bulb, of course! (I just KNEW I could work light bulbs in!), or a reusable water bottle. Go Wild. Many organizations offer ways to sponsor the outdoors. The Sierra Club has “Sponsor a Wild Place,” where you contribute to protect animals, parks or the wild. Sponsorships include a range of gifts, from reading materials to plush toys and a rucksack. The Nature Conservancy offers “Adopt an Acre” in different parts of the world…or you can plant a tree for $1.00! Help Others Help Themselves. There are several wonderful organizations that enable you to help people produce food, clothing or run businesses. These include Heifer International, where you buy an animal to help a family in a developing country. They, in turn, help others by “sharing the gift.” Another is Kiva.org, which uses donations to loan money to low-income entrepreneurs around the world. The borrower agrees to pay the money back, so you can loan it again, donate the money, or withdraw it to a PayPal account. You can also order green products from low-income artisans and farmers around the world, through fair trade organizations such as SERRV.org Green Gadget and Good Eats. If you want to give a nifty green gadget, how about a Kill-A-Watt electricity monitor? Plug it in and learn how much energy the appliance uses, even when it’s not in use! Also, when it comes to gifts, less footprint can be more enjoyable. Research shows 97 percent of people who received a restaurant gift certificate would like to receive one again. No waste there! Green Kitchen Gifts. Sometimes people aren’t “going green” because they haven’t been exposed to the right products, they’re afraid the quality won’t be as good or they simply haven’t gotten around to switching. A green kitchen basket is a great way to introduce people. Find a reusable or recyclable container, and put eco-friendly dish soap, counter cleaner, a biodegradable sponge, biodegradable/compostable trash bags and an earth friendly dish towel. (There are lots of choices here, including organic cotton, bamboo and good old linen! Linen is incredibly absorbent, lint free and naturally resistant to bacteria.) Giving green is good for the planet, your wallet and sends a message to others about living green. Your gift works a little harder, and gives a lot more!