As a savvy auntie, I feel especially qualified to cover this topic. Never a mom but nine times an aunt and even more times a FONM (friend of a New Mom), I’ve shopped for babies, kids and teens more often than I can remember. I know how hard it is to find just the right thing – not too scratchy, not too babyish, “in-the-know” and trendy but not trying too hard…So I’ve decided that this holiday season, the right thing is the green thing. Bringing kids up to be eco-friendly is a gift they will appreciate forever as you introduce them to the more natural, more sustainable things in life. Here are a few great green gifts to start them on a greener path (all from small eco-companies who need our green during this tough retail season).
Babies and Kids personal care kits:
California Baby: Green moms love these safe, non-toxic, personal care baby soaps, creams, lotions and bubble baths. Baby gift sets can be completely customized and come with a non-toxic bath toy and product samples.
Burt’s Bees kits: Try the Baby Bee Getting Started Kit…all SLS and paraban-free creams and lotions made with soothing buttermilk and coconut oils.
Clothing:
Sagebabynyc.com: A true green treasure full of environmentally-friendly baby and toddler gifts from an organic fleece cape to sustainable nursery cribs to organic cotton baby sun hats, unstained wooden rattles and my favorite…a plush organic monkey toy.
Stewart & Brown: A wide range of fashionable eco-hats, sweaters, dresses and scarves made from yak down, hemp, organic cotton and Mongolian cashmere. You are sure to find something here to please any fashion conscious young lady.
Tees for change: Channel your sage wisdom to a tee shirt for teens. These sustainable, eco-friendly tee-shirts make a statement with words such as “Laugh Often”, “Today Matters”, “Choose Dreams”. Here’s a fashionable way to inspire young minds eager for change.
Toys:
Overthemoon.com: Locally made, Vermont Maple Landmark toys are beautifully crafted wooden, sustainable toys bringing us back to basics and sure to become family heirlooms for years and years to come.
Green Toys: Adorable play toys: tea sets, gardening tools, cookware and beach gear…all made locally here in the USA from recycled plastic milk jugs. Safe. Fun. Local. And winning all the parenting awards…
School stuff:
To-Go Ware: So cool and yet functional, the stainless steel Sidekick is the new green lunch box. With separate compartments for cold and hot foods, this is a great daily solution for anyone who carries their lunch every day (and is tired of that same, soggy peanut butter and jelly sandwich).
Ecogear bags: Bags for every age…these organic cotton, hip bags use toxic-free dyes and sustainable wood fastenings. Check out their messenger bags, laptop carriers and backpacks.
Makeup/skincare:
Afterglow Cosmetics: Their Glow Kit is a glam gift for a teenage girl just starting to experiment with makeup. This starter kit includes organic mineral foundation, concealer, blush, vegan brushes and powder. All packaged in a fabulous silver makeup bag.
Juice Beauty Any teen will love their gift kits full of eco-chic organic skincare goodies – especially good for those with sensitive skin. They also have special lines for men which are great for teenage boys (who all seem to be learning much earlier about “using product” than the teenage boys I dated.)
Coming next: Green Stocking Stuffers from Small Eco-Businesses
Mary Beth Gonzalez
http://www.gonzalezgoinggreen.blogspot.com/
Babies and Kids personal care kits:
California Baby: Green moms love these safe, non-toxic, personal care baby soaps, creams, lotions and bubble baths. Baby gift sets can be completely customized and come with a non-toxic bath toy and product samples.
Burt’s Bees kits: Try the Baby Bee Getting Started Kit…all SLS and paraban-free creams and lotions made with soothing buttermilk and coconut oils.
Clothing:
Sagebabynyc.com: A true green treasure full of environmentally-friendly baby and toddler gifts from an organic fleece cape to sustainable nursery cribs to organic cotton baby sun hats, unstained wooden rattles and my favorite…a plush organic monkey toy.
Stewart & Brown: A wide range of fashionable eco-hats, sweaters, dresses and scarves made from yak down, hemp, organic cotton and Mongolian cashmere. You are sure to find something here to please any fashion conscious young lady.
Tees for change: Channel your sage wisdom to a tee shirt for teens. These sustainable, eco-friendly tee-shirts make a statement with words such as “Laugh Often”, “Today Matters”, “Choose Dreams”. Here’s a fashionable way to inspire young minds eager for change.
Toys:
Overthemoon.com: Locally made, Vermont Maple Landmark toys are beautifully crafted wooden, sustainable toys bringing us back to basics and sure to become family heirlooms for years and years to come.
Green Toys: Adorable play toys: tea sets, gardening tools, cookware and beach gear…all made locally here in the USA from recycled plastic milk jugs. Safe. Fun. Local. And winning all the parenting awards…
School stuff:
To-Go Ware: So cool and yet functional, the stainless steel Sidekick is the new green lunch box. With separate compartments for cold and hot foods, this is a great daily solution for anyone who carries their lunch every day (and is tired of that same, soggy peanut butter and jelly sandwich).
Ecogear bags: Bags for every age…these organic cotton, hip bags use toxic-free dyes and sustainable wood fastenings. Check out their messenger bags, laptop carriers and backpacks.
Makeup/skincare:
Afterglow Cosmetics: Their Glow Kit is a glam gift for a teenage girl just starting to experiment with makeup. This starter kit includes organic mineral foundation, concealer, blush, vegan brushes and powder. All packaged in a fabulous silver makeup bag.
Juice Beauty Any teen will love their gift kits full of eco-chic organic skincare goodies – especially good for those with sensitive skin. They also have special lines for men which are great for teenage boys (who all seem to be learning much earlier about “using product” than the teenage boys I dated.)
Coming next: Green Stocking Stuffers from Small Eco-Businesses
Mary Beth Gonzalez
http://www.gonzalezgoinggreen.blogspot.com/
