(above) Energy Muse creates their jewelry with the added bonus of spiritual energy. The lovely Aventurine Bracelet is created with the intention of bringing enhanced wealth and prosperity to the wearer. It features an ancient Chinese coin. Marked down from $50 to $21.99 @ Energy Muse

(above L to R) Chic body adornments handcrafted by Fair Trade artisans in Vietnam and Thailand … from favorite eco emporium, Gaiam …

• sustainably sourced Elastic Horn Necklace and Bracelet … necklace was $58 now $29.99; bracelet was $38 now $19.99.

• natural Mother of Pearl shell and woven knotted cotton cord; was $38 now $24.99.

Related: more eco-fashion finds on The Alternative Consumer

Add a touch of eco style to your next holiday dinner, wedding engagement soiree, or cocktail party with these very classy napkin rings. Made from renewable bamboo, each ring is encircled with a bit of vintage French lace. You can find these one-of-a-kind rings at the FrenchFelt Etsy shop.

Related: more earth-friendly gift ideas from The Alternative Consumer

According to the Clean Air Council, disposable wrapping paper and gift bags create nearly 4 million additional tons of garbage in the U.S. during the holiday season alone. Makes me feel dirty just thinking about it. So, how do we wrap responsibly?

The best way to keep things green and simple also happens to be thrifty: simply DIY … work with materials you already have around the house. I’m not kidding – I’ve been doing this for years, and I sometimes pull things from the recycle bin in order to re-use it as wrap.

• Glass jars. Jewelry boxes. Tins.
• Newspaper, magazines, comics, outdated road or subway maps, children’s artwork, brown paper bags, spare wall-paper, and pretty/ heavy stock store-provided shopping bags all can be reused, cut-up and transformed into great gift wrap.
• Extra large items can be wrapped in household linens: tablecloths, sheets, tea towels, bath towels, curtains, scarves and shawls, or extra fabric from your last sewing project.
• Reusable cloth bags. Just tie the handles together with some found ribbon or yarn.
• For the finishing touch on packages – forget the bows. Think outside the box and step outside your home: pretty pine cones in the yard, small branches with sweet colored berries, acorns and touches of greenery.
• A mini-ornament, spare buttons or lonely single earring can adorn a package and add a little sparkle.

For pretty and reusable fabric wrap – step away from the tape and scissors – instead, try:

• BOBO Wrap (photo at top of post; made in the USA; inspired by the ancient Korean tradition of wrapping with fabric, Bojagi)
• ewrapz.com holiday prints fabric gift wraps (photo: fabric with white ribbon, just above)
• shrapps.com
• fraps.com felt envelopes for cds, books, dvds & photo frames (photo above: felt envelopes with hearts)

For whatever reason, if you’re compelled to opt for shiny new wrapping paper make sure it’s made from recycled material … we like: shopECOsaurus.com, where everything is 50% off right now, (photo just above).

above (via Martha Stewart.com) If you need to give packages a little extra cushioning – forgo the extra tissue and Styrofoam – use natural materials like real peanuts, popcorn and evergreen.

Now that the gifts have been gathered, be sure to relax a little. Put on some tunes, have a sip of wine … start wrapping presents in novel, pretty, eco-conscious ways. You’ll be amazed at what a difference it makes in the gift-unwrapping experience. Imagine looking around the room once all the gifts have been opened and suddenly realizing how clean it is. No waste and discarded material headed for the landfills. It reminds me of how good it feels to shop with reusable bags at the grocery store … no crappy plastic bags to contend with after unpacking groceries. cheers!

Related: gift wrap the eco way – Furoshiki

Alternative Consumer featured in USA Today Guide to Green Living

For the apple of your eye … iPad, iPhone and Macbook cases, skins and covers made of easily renewable, 100% Moso bamboo. Beautifully handcrafted and finished in Portland, Oregon. Order a custom design … details and purchase @ grovemade.com

Related: more green gadgets on The Alternative Consumer.

Pamper and protect your baby’s soft skin with this luxurious, heirloom quality Swaddle Blanket – also makes a very fine baby gift.

The leaf pattern and seed stitch trim are beautifully handknit.

Design features a snug hood, foldover bottom flap and wood buttons to keep your bundle snug and comfy whether in the crib, car seat or stroller.

• fiber comprised of 70% yak down, 30% bamboo
• one size
• choice of 3 colors: alpine white, strawberry pink or indigo blue
• handknitted in Shanghai China by the Catalyst Foundation
• made to order (allow 3 weeks for delivery)
• $220 @ supermarkethq.com

Related: more finds for eco kids on The Alternative Consumer

The Arbor Element CX Snowboard is a great gift for any earth-friendly snowboarders in your clan. The sustainably produced board (Forest Stewardship Council certified for sustainable production) is designed for the most challenging mountain conditions. The board features a lightweight poplar core, 2 bamboo compression axles, a sustainably sourced inlaid wood topsheet, a sturdy ultra-thin finish made from bio-plastic and steel edges made from 60% recycled material. Green indeed! Find it @ amazon.com

Great for campers, survivalists and any guy with an off-grid underground lair – the Eton Microlink Radio can be powered by the sun or via its hand-crank. The solar-powered radio, which is also a cell phone charger and flashlight, will to keep you in touch with emergency band radio stations and civilization. amazon.com $30

This e-bike is for the biker boy on your gift list.  The Currie Technologies eZip Men’s Trailz Electric bike can be powered by pedaling or via its electric motor. You can find it on @ amazon.com for around $450.

If you’re looking to up the style quotient of your man Nau (photos above) is a great source of high-quality sustainable clothing and accessories.  Check out a full array of gifts ideas for active guys at nau.com.

Buy American. Pendleton Shwood sunglasses feature Carl Zeiss lenses with UVA & UVB protection – the frames are made from sustainably sourced Cherry wood – handcrafted in the USA. @ pendleton.com $210.

Related: more green gifts guides

For those power hungry individuals who spend much of their time off-grid…

Solio’s BOLT portable solar charger is a new addition to the Solio family of solar charging products. This pocket-sized charger and battery back-up stores the sun’s energy to provide power to all manner of USB powered gizmos and gadgets – including: compatible smartphones, MP3 players, head lamps, lights, GPS,  iPods, PDA’s, e-readers and cameras.

The BOLT’s nifty design allows a pencil or pen to be inserted into the center of its two portable panels enabling the BOLT to act like a sundial.  For maximum charging speed simply face the BOLT toward the sun and rotate it until the pencil no longer casts a shadow. Turn the BOLT toward the sun each time the pencil casts a shadow to maximize the efficiency of the charger.

Available @ amazon.com and the solio.com website for around $70.

Related: more green gadgets

This one’s for the ladies …. presenting my curated collection of a few personal faves

• (above) create a blissful sanctuary, a place to shut-out the noise – Fair Trade & made of hyacinth, a meditation chair & tray from Gaiam

• (above) Suzanne Park’s eco-friendly iPad Sleeve made in the USA. Fits iPad and iPad 2 (with or without smart cover). Water- and stain-resistant fabric made from recycled bottles; ultra lightweight; foam padded & fully lined in recycled, ripstop nylon. Features 2 front pockets for stashing accessories & essentials; available in 2 colorways, $59 @ plaiddoctrine.com (more…)

Hanukkah begins at sunset Tuesday, December 20. Kick up the cool factor with an unorthodox menorah as you celebrate the Festival of Lights. One part reclaimed oak wine barrel staves, one part recycled Patron Tequila bottle necks – just add soy/beeswax candles for added green points … Find this one of a kind, handmade menorah @ etsy.com/shop/bottlehood $72 … TIP use coupon code HOLIDAY15 at checkout to receive 15% off.
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