The world is going green.  That’s not a bad thing.  When we respect the environment it respects us.  Besides, the fewer chemicals floating around in the air, the better our bodies feel as well.  For Christmas this year, consider giving some of the folks on your list a less tangible but more sentimental gift.

You know the people in your circle better than anyone. For those who would appreciate an environmentally correct gift there are a few ideas to choose from.  The first is making charitable donations in their names.

Everyone is not as appreciative of donation gift giving so be sure that the recipients are the sentimental type.  People, who like to donate to charities and campaign for causes, are more likely to find this a worthy type of Christmas gift.  If you know their favorite charity, contribute in their name.  Adopt a whale, adopt a dog or cat, or donate money in their name to the local homeless shelter.  These organizations can send you a confirmation that can be placed in a Christmas envelope and presented to the people on your list.

Who says that a Christmas gift has to fit into a package?  Instead of bringing the gift to them, bring them to the gift.  This Christmas, think of gifts that won’t leave any waste behind.

Instead of buying a CD for a friend who likes music, treat them to a concert.  Wrap up two tickets to an upcoming concert or a night of jazz on the town.  Live music sounds better than recorded anyway.  This is an excuse to dress up in our best evening wear.

Tickets for other shows are appropriately eco friendly as well.  Take the kids to the zoo, the aquarium, or a science show as a part of their Christmas present.  Younger kids seem to appreciate this type of activity more.

For a person who wants to go “green” help them out with a useful Christmas gift.  Call it a “go green” starter pack.  The present can be as simple as a composing bin for someone who likes to work outside.  Use a gift basket to display the gifts.  A fruit or nut basket leaves only the basket behind when the gift is gone.

People scoff at those monthly clubs that send foods and other items but the sentiment is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.  For a gift recipient who is into jams, fruits, and the like, the timely arrival of a package each month is great.  Check with sites like www.ecoexpress.com for organic monthly clubs of this type for your friends.

For Christmas, it is not so much about what we take but what we give.  With eco friendly gifts, we are giving back to the environment and taking only what we need.