How to Give Green for the Holidays—We Asked the Experts

By Lexi Green
December 21, 2010

Zem Joaquin, Aaron Britt, Christiane from Dwell Studio

If earth-consciousness is a way of life for you, then giving green gifts should be part of the package. (And if you've resolved to go greener in 2011, then why not get a head start?) We enlisted the help of some of our favorite eco-experts in order to generate green gift ideas for giving more sustainable, yet no less indulgent, holiday gifts this season. Zem Joaquin, Aaron Britt, Christiane from Dwell Studio (Photo credit: Michele Lee Wilson)

Vintage, Pre-Owned and Recycled Jewelry

Let’s start with every girl’s favorite holiday gift: jewelry. The sourcing of raw materials, including precious metals and gems, not to mention the chemical-laden manufacturing process that often goes into jewelry, can be hazardous both to our planet and to the health of the workers involved. Buying pre-owned or vintage jewelry is a great eco-friendly way to save money on once-pricey pieces and avoid the environmental effects of making a brand new piece. You can also look for old pieces that have been re-styled (or "upcycled") into new, more modern shapes. Zem Joaquin, founder and CEO of the eco-style and beauty website, Eco-Fabulous, as well as a regular contributor to eBay’s Green Team website, told us, “My husband usually gets me vintage or recycled gold jewelry. Either way, he shines and I sparkle!” And who can blame her? Especially with selections like these:

Roll over items for details

Vtg Art Deco Paste Rhinestones Molded Leaves Brooch

(starting bid, $30)

Vintage Miriam Haskell Red Beaded Earrings

(starting bid, $135)

Vtg Art Deco Black Glass Bead Necklace Jewelry

(starting bid, $29.99)

Unheated Vibrant Red Star Ruby Emerald Ring

(buy it now price, $17,098.10)

How to Give Green for the Holidays—We Asked the Experts

Gifts To Last a Lifetime

Gifts of quality will always stand the test of time. What could be greener than owning (and enjoying) something for a lifetime. Aaron Britt, the Senior Editor at modern-with-a-sustainable-bent designer publication, Dwell, said "The most sustainable thing is beauty. They'll never tear down the Cathedral at Notre Dame because it is so gorgeous and so many people love it. So, think about giving something that won't wind up in the scrap heap. Don't give just go give, but to see if you can offer your loved ones something that will delight them—something that they'll want to hang out to." He continues, “I gave my brother a really amazing chess set a couple years ago. We used to play all the time with each other and with our dad as kids. But my brother is now leagues better than me and Dad. I nearly played him to a draw on his new set once, but blew it at the endgame!” Here are some green gifts that will last for a lifetime.

Pre-owned Vtg Celine Alligator Crocodile Handbag Purse

(buy it now price, $1,800)

Vtg Exquiste Large Carved Chess Set

(buy it now price, $699)

NEW Old Dutch Copper Tea Kettle Ceramic Handle Hot

(buy it now price, $64.99)

NEW Halcyon Days Merry Christmas Box

(buy it now price, $120)

Pre-Owned Electronics

Discarded electronics, better known as e-waste, are an environmental conundrum for folks who crave the latest and greatest when it comes to high-tech gadget gifts. The toxic chemicals we toss can cause severe human and environmental destruction. Zem Joaquin tells us that as a means of mitigating the e-waste cycle, "My husband, kids and I get most of our electronics gifts and toys from eBay," where both pre-owned and vintage options are endless.

Pre-Owned Livescribe 2GB Pulse Smartpen

(starting bid, $45)

Pre-Owned Vtg Zenith 1948 Cobra Radio Record Player

(buy it now price, $497.97)

Pre-Owned Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Table Radio

(current bid, $93.10)

Pre-Owned Apple iPad Wi-Fi 3G

(buy it now price, $980)

Vintage Toys

Christiane Lemeiux, founder and creative director of the New York-based bedding and lifestyle brand, Dwell Studio, knows a thing or two about gifting green for the little ones—she has a line of completely organic layettes that just hit the shelves. “It's all about supporting companies that try to infuse a green offering into their product assortment for gift giving,” she told us. “eBay is a great place to start—giving vintage is giving green!. Right now on eBay watch-list, I have a vintage Brio train and a lot of vintage dinosaur figures for my son, and vintage Barbies for my daughter.” We have found the green gifts on Christiane Lemeiux's wish-list, plus some more to help with the kids (or the kids-at-heart) on your gift-giving list.

225pc Thomas, Brio Toys Lot

(buy it now price, $279.99)

Pre-Owned 1985 Vintage Dinosaur Toys

(buy it now price, $5)

Pre-Owned Operation Board Game

(buy it now price, $9)

1972 Ward Barbie Brunette Ponytail

(buy it now price, $449.99)

The proof is in the Christmas pudding that you can give green gifts without losing your seasonal sparkle. Let us know, how do you plan on giving-green this year?

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