Green Gifting

By Mikkah Sorrells

Shopping for your “Green” friends might seem daunting at first. They might be extremely picky about their likes and dislikes or maybe they adhere to a certain lifestyle that doesn’t exactly lend itself to typical gift giving.  However, you might find yourself surprised at the myriad of gifts available if you just look in the right places.

We searched around and found a few places that provide “Green” gifts.  Here’s a look at a few of them.

1. Sock Dreams. Maybe the first thing that comes to mind when one hears the phrase “organic cotton” is a pair of socks. Socks aren’t typically good when it comes to gifting – they show a lack of effort and appreciation and gives rise to the question, “Who gives a pair of socks as a present?” But Sock Dreams doesn’t carry just any socks. The site description says it all, “Unique sexy socks for unique sexy individuals” and “the best sock store in the known universe!” When it comes right down to it, the latter just might be true. Sock Dreams carries a pair of socks for people of all shapes and sizes and they are undoubtedly some of the coolest socks around. The store always has something new in stock and the socks range in price from five dollars to seventy bucks a pair. Besides that, the store also has a section for socks made from eco-friendly fibers, like hemp, so they make great gifts for your green friends. Check the store out at Sockdreams.com.
2. Coffee Cup Sleeves. If you know your green friend has a vice in the form of coffee, the recycled coffee cup sleeves made by eastcoastkitsch at Etsy might be the perfect gift for them. They make the sleeves out of old wool shirts dressed with buttons and they are reusable! Seller Eastcoastkitsch specializes in recycled design. Her shop holds bookmarks, handbags, cozies, plushies, and knitted clothing. You can check out her shop at eastcoastkitsch.etsy.com.
3. Vivaterra.com. If looking for something cool for your green friend, you can help them spruce up their dinner table with silverware from VivaTerra. According to Greatgreengoods.com, VivaTerra makes silverware and cups out of misprinted and miscolored cans that are taken directly from the factories. Not only is VivaTerra responsible for unique silverware, but they also sell plates made from recycled glass and other kitchen décor, such as the Flip Flop Doormat, which is made of leftover flip flop material. VivaTerra also offers a lot of eco-friendly bathroom décor. Items from VivaTerra are a little steep when it comes to price, but are good for close friends and relatives who have gone green.
4. Simpleshoes.com. A green friend who likes shoes but who is having a hard time finding an eco-friendly pair? Simple Shoes has exactly what you’re looking for. The shoes are cute, stylish and simple, the kind of shoes that go with just about anything. They are a bit expensive, though, with many of them running 50 dollars and over. The store’s goal is to sell 100% sustainable products. The shoes are made out of  natural materials like crepe rubber, latex, organic cotton, felted wool, coconut, and many others, all of them either recycled or eco-friendly. They are the perfect gift for a lover of shoes, so check it out.

Happy shopping!!