Great Gifts that Aren't "Things"

Posted December 12, 2011

We recently received a comment from a person who perceived campaigns like Shift Your Shopping and Unchained! to be encouraging more consumption. While we intend to promote conscious purchasing from local independent businesses, rather than purchasing more, the comment inspired us to offer ideas for those who want to minimize adverse environmental impact in their giving -- not with "green gifts," for which there are hundreds of sources, but (primarily) via non-material or consumable gifts. We welcome your ideas.

Great Gifts that Aren't "Things"

• Gift certificate to an indie restaurant, pub or cafe (bonus points if it supports local farmers, ranchers and brewers!)
• Tickets to a local theater, concert, sports event...
• Donating in recipient's name to one of their favorite local non-profits
• Online subscription to recipient's favorite local newspaper or other publication
• Credit for a class at a community college or continuing education program
• Punchcard or gift certificate to a local gym, rec center, yoga studio...
• A massage, hair styling, green housecleaning or other personal service
• A bicycle tune-up
• A household energy audit / weatherproofing service
• Child care for a play day/night
• Lessons to learn a new skill (see list at bottom)

Physical Things that May Reduce Net Consumption
In many cases, giving well-chosen physical items can clearly yield environmental benefits. For example:

• A water cooler or filter system for a habitual bottled water user
• A home soda fountain for heavy consumers of soft drinks
• A quality commuter bicycle, fenders, panniers or other items to make commuting easier
• Regionally-grown and produced foods
• LED lighting or other energy efficiency improvements

For Kids

• Movie tickets
• Trip to a museum, amusment park, sports event, bowling...
• An outdoor adventure or outdoors skills course
• Many of the class ideas offered below

Classes to Consider as Gifts

• cooking
• dance
• computer skills
• woodwork
• foreign language
• musical instrument
• pottery, knitting, painting and other arts
• outdoor skills
• massage
• photography or video production
• writing