Eco Kids Gifts on a Budget

When money is tight, and even when it's not, I look for efficiency in gift-giving. What can I get for the kids, or ask from the grandparents and other relatives, that the kids actually need, and that I don't have to buy separately so it saves money...yet something that the kids will still get excited about. They generally do not need another toy. Recent ideas:

• Karate lessons, with the clothing to unwrap as a gift
• Tickets to Disneyland, with a Disney coloring book to unwrap as a gift
• Swim lessons, with a pair of goggles to unwrap as a gift
• Sustainable yet fashionable clothing, preferably from GreenEdge Kids
• Soccer ball with homemade coupons from mom or dad to kick it around at the park
• Arts and craft supplies so I don't have to spend money at Michaels
• Movie or theater tickets
• New shoes
• "New" bed or whatever might be needed for a kid's room; you were about to buy this anyway, but there's nothing wrong with presenting it as a gift if the timing is right.
• Gift certificates to your family's favorite restaurants or ice cream spots...and your little guy or girl can feel very important taking the family out for dinner sometime

Activities and sports and classes, as opposed to stuff...when going for stuff, look for essentials. The efficient gift-giving approach cuts down on clutter, time spent organizing junk around the house (something I personally hate doing), expenses, that you can now use for something else. Eco gifts are efficient!

Try wrapping in a reuseable produce gift bag for even more layers of usefulness:

Spotlight on Ugly Fish Organics

We were really excited when we encountered Ugly Fish Organics, and were thrilled to add a sizable lineup from their F08 collection to our shop. Outstanding quality, outstanding style. Ugly Fish Organics is the only maker of children's wool coats we know of using certified organic wool!

"Each of our pieces is constructed from eco-friendly materials in the USA under fair manufacturing conditions." Designer Seema Reza employs organic cotton, hemp, and even organic wool from New Zealand among her designs (organic certification by Control Union Certifications). The resultant line is a "fusion of function and form that lives up to the needs of children."