Its the holiday season again and many of you are wondering how to give gifts to your loved ones that show your appreciation of them while staying true to your ecological convictions. And with the economy being as challenging as it currently is, chances are that you probably have much less money to go around this year. The good news is that you dont have to spend a lot of money to give an absolutely wonderful gift. After all, the best gifts dont have to be expensive to show how much you love the recipient. A well-thought out personal gift can mean so much more to someone than a high-ticket item. It may be clich but it really is the thought that counts. You can demonstrate your love and admiration best by showing that you care enough to give a gift that truly reflects their interests and personality. And, you can be green while doing it.

So, what exactly is a green gift? It is a gift that is created, transported, wrapped and given with minimal environmental impact. You can even green it up a little more by purchasing from environmentally conscious companies and organizations. Tickets to a concert, ballet, opera, football game, museum, or many other options make a fantastic green gift. And it can take as little as an envelope to wrap. Homemade gifts are another great option and very personal. My grandma, Rosella, sends me cookies from Washington State from time to time and there is no gift that I enjoy more. With every bite I think of how they were made with love and affection for me. Gift certificates can actually be very thoughtful gifts too if they are chosen well. For instance, a gift certificate for yoga classes for a friend that has wanted to try it out would be a great gift and motivation at the same time.

Donations can also make a surprisingly heartfelt green gift. More people than you might realize truly appreciate a gift given to a charitable organization that reflects their own beliefs and passions. Last year, I gave gifts to Heifer International in the names of many of my friends and family members. These gifts of chicks and ducks, llamas, goats, and sheep are provided to help needy children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. They provide beautiful, unique gift cards for you to give to announce the donation, and I was sometimes surprised at the sheer delight people exhibited when they opened their gift and realized that they had, in effect, given a flock of geese to a family in the Philippines for instance.

The list below offers a few suggestions of green gifts for the holidays. Use it as inspiration to spark ideas of your own. There is no science to green gift giving: the two main factors in the equation are environmental awareness and thoughtfulness.

And remember, when wrapping gifts always use recycled wrapping paper or other reusable items; get creative! I always use grocery bags and raffia or twine when I wrap gifts, and I frequently receive comments on how beautiful the packages are. Sometimes simplicity can be the most elegant.

Have a wonderful, festive, green holiday season.

Some Green Holiday Gift Ideas

• Charitable donation to a favorite charity
• Used books, beautiful collectible editions
• Framed personal photo
• Homemade baked goods and jellies
• Handmade items such as a Knitted Scarf
• Basket filled with organic fruits, coffees, teas, nuts
• Gift certificate (thoughtfully chosen of course) to a favorite boutique, restaurant, yoga studio
• Tickets to a concert, opera, ballet, sports event
• Clothing made from organic cotton or recycled materials