Christmas Gifts 2009: 13 Great Gifts

With the holiday season upon us, gift-giving can get pretty ugly really fast. From the last-minute frantic purchasing to participating in the consumerist frenzy of buying over-hyped and unnecessary gifts, the season can definitely put a major damper on our "green" efforts.

At HuffPost Green, we believe that if you're going to buy gifts this season, they should be thoughtful, eco-friendly and inspiring.

With this in mind, check out our collection of cool, useful green gifts for this season, from solar-powered gadgets to an organic herb garden kit. Be sure to vote the the gift you think is the best!

Community Agroecology Network's Fair Trade Coffee

Need a gift idea for coffee-drinkers? Through the Community Agroecology Network, you can send coffee in a pretty package direct to someone's front door and feel good about it. CAN is a nifty organization that networks between fair trade basically-organic coffee cooperatives in Central America and North American consumers; this way, the co-ops mail coffee directly to the purchasers and cut out costly middlemen. The increased profits go towards the co-ops' farmers and also community development projects in the areas. Price: $12/lb (includes shipping and pretty packaging).

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Comments

[yesyesyes]

10:23 AM on 12/02/2009

http://www.cafemam.com/

[mojosavings]

09:24 AM on 12/02/2009

Speaking of Christmas Gifts. The prices on Wii's are really coming down. Hold out til the last minute and you'll probably be able to pick up the console for under $150. Keep an eye on Walmart or Amazon for best prices on one.
http://www.mojosavings.com

[GrizzlyBowman]

09:22 AM on 12/02/2009

I've seen the auto-off power strips before.

The caveat is that enthusiasts usually leave either their server(s) and or workstation(s) on 24 hours a day.

As I'm sure most of us know, plugged in electronic devices--including battery chargers, speakers, monitors, etcetera--continue to leech power even after shut off.

The boon is that an enthusiast's monitor and speakers need not be leeching power 24/7. *Eventually* we geeks have to sleep.

But that Eco Tap is $40.

I use this method: You can get a basic power tap at some online stores and sometimes Fry's electronics for about $3. I bought a separate el cheapo power tap, affixed it to the underside of my desk where the on/off switch was easier to get to, plugged my monitor and speakers into it, and just flip the switch when I'm AFK for awhile.

$37 saved for some more LED bulbs ;-)

[clemenj98]

09:19 AM on 12/02/2009

Wow, imagine the excitement of waking up Christmas morning and opening up your gifts of...

tupperware and a power strip!!!

Gee, thanks, Santa!

[clemenj98]

09:28 AM on 12/02/2009

In fact, in case anyone was wondering what they can get me for Christmas, there's an article elsewhere on this site about a pretty pink diamond....

[giulihkites]

03:26 AM on 12/02/2009

Really a educative and informative post, the post is good in all regards,I am glad to read this post.

http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2290105

[JDSalinger12]

02:25 AM on 12/02/2009

This is a crazy lists of gifts. This is not what people want. This is what they want:

Apple ipod touch 32 GB- who wouldn't like one with 32 GB storage space.
Flip UltaHD Camcorder 120 Minutes- small sized and a hit with customers.
Viper 5901- allows you to turn on the heater or air conditioner from a mile away from your car.
Delonghi EC155- great espresso maker
Canon SX20IS- brand new digital camera that rocks.
Ceiva- wireless digital picture frame that lets people send pictures to it.
Rubik's Touch Cube- great conversation piece for clients in the office.
Great American Days- has some nice adventure ideas for guys
Kindle DX- bigger than the orignal Kindle and more storage space
Hyrdrapak- great for campers and bicyclists allows them to drink water w/out taking off pack.
Makita BDF452HW- probably the most tool on the market (women like it too)

Best,
John Marshall
http://www.popularchristmasgiftsideas.com

[GrizzlyBowman]

09:30 AM on 12/02/2009

I want Kevin Costner's character's filtration device from Waterworld so I can drink my own pee!

[GorillaThriller]

08:31 PM on 12/01/2009

"Looking to give tableware and/or food storage containers for the holidays?"

um, no...?
lol

[Suntio]

05:52 PM on 12/01/2009

OK people, listen up: I've been very good this year and I liked the Planet Earth DVD, the crank flash light, and the plastic containers *hint, hint*

[ColoradoArtLover]

04:11 PM on 12/01/2009

It takes too long to go through these with the Rate This Photo thing. very annoying.

[indy169]

12:33 PM on 12/01/2009

Made In America is the new Green
Local as possible. Globalism needs to go away.

[jasonfebery]

11:30 AM on 12/01/2009

None of these are terribly interesting, to be honest. Almost seems Green for the sake of Green.

http://www.jasonfebery.wordpress.com

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

11:24 AM on 12/01/2009

I could use the flashlight.

[Uggg]

10:54 AM on 12/01/2009

What junk the solar lt thing would be usless in a office building there are better green gifts out there that cost less

[justmeinAz]

12:37 AM on 12/02/2009

Oh, well if it's useless in an office building...

lol

[KIVPossum]

10:42 AM on 12/01/2009

26$ for 3 seed packets and 3 biodegradable pots? All you have to do is put green on a product and some sucker will buy it.

[themainpoint]

10:30 AM on 12/01/2009

Great ideas! Thanks.

[John2010a]

07:46 AM on 12/02/2009

One great gift idea is the Body Bottle - it is a water bottle that straps to your bicep. The best way to stay hydrated on long runs.

[themainpoint]

03:42 PM on 12/05/2009

Hey thanks. Late in seeing this, but sounds like a great idea!