Giving a gift doesn’t necessarily mean giving a product that will end up increasing waste, it can also mean a delightful yet eco-friendly gift. But how? Experience gifts, like the ones from sites like Giftory, are great for the eco-conscious. Why? Unlike buying physical, material goods, what you’re giving can be a great experience with a very low environmental impact.

The Problem with Traditional Gifts

Traditional gifts have a high environmental cost. Everything from manufacturing, packaging, and transportation is contributing to pollution and waste. With experience gifts, nothing needs to be shipped, flown, or even delivered. So, in a lot of ways, they are a lot more eco-friendly. Give the gift of an experience and you’re giving something that isn’t going to end up in a landfill.

The Joy of Giving Experiences

If you’re giving someone a high-flying helicopter tour or a pampering spa day—these gifts last a lot longer than that cute and cuddly stuffed bear. They leave lasting memories and that is the real gift. Giftory’s gift collection includes driving experiences, food and drink tours, sports and adventure activities, and sightseeing tours. These kinds of green gifts an eco-conscious person is sure to love!

Reducing Environmental Impact

The impact of an experience gift is minimal. You’re not using up resources to make the physical product. Many of the experiences at Giftory are eco-friendly ones. Things like sustainable workshops and eco-tours have little impact. With an eco-conscious type of mindset, experiences from Giftory are a good present to give a loved one.

Supporting Local and Sustainable Businesses

Besides being better for the environment, giving an experience gift is also better for local businesses. Many of the Giftory experiences are put on by local businesses. In some cases, it’s an eco-friendly, small business. For example, a farm-to-table dining experience serves up sustainably grown, local produce, and supporting local businesses can encourage them to expand their offerings.

Creating Lasting Memories

The best part about a gift is the memories that are created. Experience gifts for the receiver are to keep and cherish. Look around Giftory’s fantastic selection of experiences and you can find the best options for anyone. So, if you want to find the perfect experience for your loved one, look no further.

The Sustainable Choice for Thoughtful Giving

Experience gifts are the perfect gift to give. They take the guesswork out of what to get a loved one, and they can be used for any occasion- a birthday, an anniversary, or just because. Now you can rest almost all assurances that every experience that you gift will be an eco-friendly one.

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If you’re looking for gifts for the man in your life, then this gift guide will give you some ideas. From a solar-powered watch to ecologically sound clothing and beyond, there are plenty of great options that he’ll love. And best of all, they’re all sustainable. So, whether the man in your life is a resource-efficient guy or just someone who appreciates great gifts, sustainable gifts for him are sure to be received thankfully.

1. Lip Balm Made With Organic Beeswax

Is the man in your life looking for a way to hydrate his lips and feel good about doing it? Natural lip balm is the perfect gift! This lip balm is made with organic beeswax that provides long-lasting hydration without any chapping or cracking of the lips. Plus, it comes in various flavors so that you can find the perfect one for him. 

2. Solar-Powered Watch

Solar-powered watches can make an excellent gift for the eco-conscious man in your life who wants to reduce his environmental impact. And because it’s solar-powered, he’ll never have to worry about batteries dying or replacing them. These watches come in various colors and styles to suit any taste; some are water resistant.

3. Vegan Leather Wallet

A stylish vegan leather wallet is a great gift for a man who cares about animals and the environment. They are usually made from sustainable materials like recycled nylons and rubber, so it’s gentle on the planet. Plus, it’s PETA approved, so you can be sure that no animals were harmed in its production. He’ll love carrying his wallet, knowing it’s cruelty-free and environmentally friendly.

4. Sustainable Clothing

Sustainable clothing is a great gift for any man who cares about the environment. Sustainable shirts, jackets and more are made from organic hemp, bamboo or recycled materials. They’re gentle on the planet, and they look great too!

5. Reusable Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle is a must-have for anyone who wants to stay hydrated. Reusable bottles are sustainable, eco-friendly and stylish. They make the perfect gift for the man who wants to reduce his plastic use and help save the planet. Insulated water bottles can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12, so he can enjoy his favorite beverages anytime, anywhere.

6. Sustainable Home Goods

Sustainable home goods make a great gift for the man who might have recently moved out to live on his own. These products are also a simple way to introduce someone to living a low-waste lifestyle. From sustainable sheets and towels to cookware and beyond, you can find a wide selection of eco-friendly home goods that are sure to please. And because they’re made from sustainable materials, he’ll be helping to reduce his impact on the environment every time he uses them.

7. Natural Dry Deodorant That’s Aluminum Free

Plastic-free deodorant is a must-have for any eco-conscious man, and a naturally derived dry deodorant that’s aluminum free fits the bill. This natural formula is made with baking soda, arrowroot powder and cocoa butter and will keep him smelling great all day long and without harming the planet.

When shopping for a natural deodorant, be sure to search for one that kills odor-causing bacteria, neutralizes odor and absorbs sweat. Even though you are purchasing something eco-friendly, it should still work just as well as its non-natural counterpart. 

8. Dry Shampoo

Is the man in your life always on the go? If so, he’ll love using a natural dry shampoo. It’s perfect for busy guys who don’t have time to wash their hair daily. Just sprinkle a little on, massage it through the hair and style the hair as usual. This natural formula will absorb oil and leave hair looking and feeling fresh. 

9. Wooden Watch

A stylish wooden watch is a perfect gift for a man who loves the outdoors. Some models are water resistant so that he can wear them anywhere, including the shower. And because it’s wooden, it’s unique and different from any other watch he’s ever worn. Enhance the appeal of a wooden watch by including interchangeable watch bands. Choose from sustainable materials like recycled fabric or long-lasting silicone watch bands to maintain its environmentally conscious theme. This variety allows the wearer to customize their watch for different styles and activities, making the gift even more versatile and unique.He’ll love showing off his new watch to all his friends, and he’ll be doing his part to save the planet, too.

10. Sustainable Socks

Sustainable socks are the perfect gift for a man who loves to be comfortable. Many sustainable socks are made from a blend of bamboo or recycled cotton and merino wool, so they’re soft and warm. Because they come in various colors and styles, you can find the perfect pair to suit his personality.

Shop Sustainable Gifts for Him 

The perfect sustainable gift for the man in your life is out there. With a little thought and creativity, you can find something that he’ll love that won’t harm the planet. 

The post Gift Guide:10 Sustainable Gifts for the Man in Your Life appeared first on Green Prophet.

The EMPWR coat is a water-resistant jacket, which transforms into a sleeping bag. It can also be worn as an over-the-shoulder bag when not in use. It’s constructed of durable, water-resistant Cordura fabric from Carhartt, upcycled automotive insulation from General Motors, and other materials provided by generous donors in the greater Detroit, Michigan area, where brutal winter weather makes homelessness especially treacherous.

You don’t so much “own” the coat as “sponsor” it. The company website invites you to donate $100 USD – which covers the cost of labor, materials, and overhead expenses – which “sponsors” a coat giveaway by The Empowerment Plan team.  You can also opt to have the jacket sent to you for distribution in your own community.

Founder and CEO Veronika Scott, pictured above and below, started the project when a class at The College for Creative Studies in Detroit challenged her to create a product to fill a real need in her community. Scott decided to tackle homelessness and began spending time at a nearby homeless shelter where the design for the EMPWR coat developed. When an angry homeless woman confronted Scott, stating she didn’t need a coat but a job, the project to give comfort to people sleeping in the rough took a turn towards social development, and so launched The Empowerment Plan.

The nonprofit works to permanently elevate families from the generational cycle of homelessness. It hires single parents from local shelters and provides them with training and full-time employment as seamstresses, enabling them to earn a stable income, find secure housing, and regain their independence.

The project does much more than make coats to give out to the local homeless community. Since 2012, The Empowerment Plan has provided employment to 34 homeless individuals—all of whom have now secured permanent housing for themselves and their families —and distributed over 15,000 coats to those in need across the US, Canada, and a few countries internationally.

Supported by donations from private individuals, large corporations and foundations, the project also partners with local organizations to provide its workers with on-the-clock, supplemental programming including high school equivalency courses, financial literacy classes, and professional development seminars.

Scott believes her model can be replicated in communities beyond Detroit, saying, “We are creating a workforce from a population many overlook. Homelessness should not be a life sentence.” The project is scalable. Last year, Chicago’s hip-hop and R&B radio station “Chance” announced its “Warmest Winter” campaign that aimed to raise $100,000 on Crowdrise to give 1,000 EMPWR coats for homeless people. 

“Pathological consumption has become so normalized that we scarcely notice it,” wrote George Monbiot in a 2012 column in the Guardian about the economic and environmental obscenity of Christmastime consumption.

Living in Jordan, a developing country where one-third of its population has refugee status, it’s simple to see that the global culture of pathological consumption – which exploits cheap labor, consumes natural resources, and ultimately provides an accelerating waste stream to our landfills and oceans – needs radical readjustment.

Filmmaker Annie Leonard stated in her 2007 documentary The Story of Stuff that only 1% of the materials flowing through the consumer economy stay in use six months after sale. Monbiot wrote that even those goods we might wish to hold on to are soon condemned to destruction through either planned obsolescence (easy breakage) or perceived obsolescence (going out of style).

So this Christmas and Hanukkah, consider the options. Do someone a favor. Give the gift of your skills. Cook a meal or hand-make something useful. Support businesses that protect the environment. Or buy a functional EMPWR coat to keep a stranger warm. Learn more on their website, link here.

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1. 52 Reasons Valentine Deck of Cards: For couples who haven’t yet uttered the “L” word – the “52 Reasons why I LIKE You” is a heartfelt Valentine with training wheels.  Grab an old deck of cards (image above) and some glue, and tuck into this easy tutorial (link here).

2. Sea Salt Caramels: Sweets for the sweet is a classic Valentine strategy. A simple recipe for a decadent treat is explained in this short, clear  video (link here). Substitute kosher salt or Dead Sea salt for the final topping, giving your caramels a Middle East flavor.

3. A Year of Pre-planned Dates: Dream up twelve things that you want to do with your honey-pie. Write them on some stiff paper (use cut up cereal boxes, etc. to increase the up-cycle ante), connect them with a ring or loop of yarn, and hand them over with a hug.  Advance planning leaves you free to enjoy the moment and each other. (Instructions can be found at this link.)

4. Peanut Butter Truffles: Reese’s peanut butter cups are impossible to score in Jordan, but these promise a close second. The alleged aphrodisiac qualities of chocolate are pinned on two chemicals it contains. Tryptophan is a brain chemical involved in sexual arousal, and phenylethylamine is a stimulant released in the brain when people fall in love. The science may be dicey, but the taste is good .  Recipe link here.

5. Sweet Pomegranate Syrup: Rich, dark, and smoky tasting pomegranate syrup is a staple in most Middle Eastern cooking. But its intense flavor and molasses-like consistency can make it a tad medicinal ( I recently swallowed a tablespoon to quell a hacking cough).  Lighten it up as a simple syrup and expand its versatility. Added bonus, it’s the color of love!  Link here.

6. Make the Tiniest Book of Love: Good things do come in small packages, especially those that can be whipped up in about an hour.  Decorate a matchbox (or not); and fill it with a handwritten love letter.  Unlimited opportunities to personalize this; add some candy or keys to a new car.  Link here.

7. Can Money Buy Love? Cash remains the greenest of gifts.  Stow some coins and bills in an empty candy box, especially thoughtful if it relates to upcoming travel where different currency is used.  Doubt you need further instructions, but the link is here.

8. Bottle Bouquet: This idea can be replicated with many different themes to suit the specific tastes of your love – make a movie bouquet, with DVDs. popcorn and theater candies, or a music bouquet, with CDs, new ear-buds and maybe tickets to a live show (link here.)

All images taken from referenced internet links.

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Green Grass Flip-flops (pictured above) –  A pair of comfy sandals lined with soft, realistic but totally fake grass are perfect for golfers, footballers, Irish ex-pats, and anyone in water-starved Amman needing a reminder of nature’s lushness. ($45)

BIKE SPOKELIT – Put safety first as you race to pre-dawn Fajr prayers with this wheel-mounted light. As you pedal, revolving wheels create a solid ring of light, ensuring maximum visibility. ($16)

AQUA ZINGER – Whip up homemade drinks free from unwanted additives. Load this up with your favorite fruits, add a splash of water, and its built-in blender creates tasty slushies or hot fruity drinks.  It’s a perfect device for mixing mocktails. ($45)

Vapur Reflex Bottle – As much as I despise plastic bottles, I don’t use reusables because I don’t want to lug around the empties.  This brilliant alternative stands up when it’s filled, but deflates when empty so you can roll it up and stash it in a pocket or backpack.  Made from BPA-free plastic, it’s odor and stain resistant and dishwasher-safe.  ($18)

GROW YOUR OWN PIZZA – Amp up your self-sufficiency and be one with nature by growing your own basil, peppers and tomatoes. Plop the prepared pots in a sunny spot, water them regularly and watch them grow. ($18)

OBSESSIVE CHEF’S BOARD – This chopping board guides perfect slicing and dicing with precise angles and measurements etched onto its surface. Made from durable and naturally antibacterial beechwood, it will encourage the obsessive-compulsive people in your life to put their neuroses to culinary use. ($36)

PAPER WATCH – This digital watch is a functional blank canvas for your wrist, clad in tear-proof paper fabric with a matching paper strap that can be personally decorated with a pen, marker or paintbrush. ($18)

RECYCLED TYVEK® WALLETS – Leave the leather on the animals and grab a billfold crafted from nearly-indestructible Tyvek® instead.  These slim billfolds come in three styles, each with handy pockets and compartments. ($26)

SOLAR LANTERN – As with other solar lamps that Green Prophet’s covered, this one is linked to charity (for each lamp sold, its makers donate another to people in developing countries).  Small solar panels endlessly recharge its lithium-ion battery. Lightweight, waterproof and portable, it’s a task light, flash light and diffused lantern all rolled into one. ($20)

PORTABLE LUNCH BOX – Keep your flavors distinct with the watertight locking seals on this update on the ancient Japanese Bento Box.   It’s microwavable and dishwasher safe.  Kiss those ziplock bags goodbye. ($23)

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