The Ultimate Non-Material Green Gift Guide

I know, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet! Every year we are bombarded with the message that we need to shop till we drop for the holidays. That's why I am presenting The Ultimate Non-Material Green Gift Guide good and early, so that you know that there are many options for great gifts that are good for the Earth and for all the people on your list. If you watched The Story of Stuff video below, you're probably convinced as I am, that we need to stop consuming so much stuff. As Annie Leonard points out, 99% of the goods we purchase end up in the trash within 6 months! And to make the matters worse, much worse in fact, for every one can of garbage we throw out, 70 cans of garbage were created just to make all the stuff in that one can we're throwing out.

The holidays don't have to be a time of waste and pressure to buy, buy, buy. Over the next week I will post a growing list of over 60 ideas for non-material gifts. You'll save money, stress and the environment while giving people gifts that are personal and meaningful. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please share!

List 1: Gift Certificates

-the movies
-a massage
-a spa/salon
-acupuncture
-a batting cage
-a golf course/ driving range
-a favorite restaurant
-audible.com
-itunes
-an eco-friendly dry cleaning gift certificate
-an ice cream cone at their favorite ice cream shop
-a gym membership/ personal training session
-Local Harvest, where they can get local grown food delivered to them right at home.

Check out the Non-Material Gift Guide Part 2