HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Seasonal shades: red and eco-green
November 20, 2008
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Margo Varadi
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
When shopping this season, consider giving twice by choosing gifts that give to the environment as well as your loved ones. Here are some eco-friendly suggestions:
Eco-Me Natural Dog Kit, $35, from goneshopping.ca. This starter kit of eco-friendly dog supplies includes biodegradable waste bags, recyclable wipe cloths, reusable containers for homemade bug sprays and shampoo, essential oil, dog biscuit recipes and other planet-friendly treats.
ChocoSol socially conscious chocolate from chocosoltraders.com: vanilla or spicy, $10, drinking chocolate, $5, cacao beans, $20, Mayan pot, $20, chocolate frother, $13. In addition to supporting indigenous farmers in Mexico, this product is made by pedal-powered bikes that both grind and blend.
Recycled decorations from grassrootsstore.com: stockings made from discarded fabric, $48, tree and star ornaments from recycled scrap metal, $9.99, 100-per-cent post-consumer wrapping paper, $6.90-$7.70.
Freeplay Companion radio, flashlight and cellphone charger, $39.99, at grassrootsstore.com. Battery-free compact gadget uses solar power or can be wound up.
4M Windmill Generator Science Kit, $14.95, at Mastermind and other educational stores. Kids can build their own wind generator.
Reworked beer bottle glasses, $18 each, at distill gallery in the Distillery District (distillgallery.com). Glass-blowing artists Terry and Jennifer Craig recraft empties from local breweries and beer stores.
Recycled snarves, $55, also at distill gallery. Part scarf, part toy snake, these scarves are made by artist Blythe Church from recycled materials.
Fire and Light Splash Crackle bowl, $49, at The Green Design Studio at (greendesignstudio.ca) on East Liberty St. These handmade pieces are sustainable and sturdy.
Recycled sweaters, $129 each, at Preloved (preloved.ca). These his-and-her sweaters are made from reclaimed fabrics.
Round plate and square bowl made from recycled paper, $26 each, at tenthousandvillages.ca – a non-profit trade organization that supports producers in low-income countries.
Penguin carbonator, $260, at sodaclub.com, creates flavoured sodas or sparkling water from ordinary tap water. Reduces use of disposable pop cans and water bottles.
Toronto Star