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Eco-friendly holiday gift ideas

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Christmas is just 5 days away and with today's economy, you may find yourself pinching pennies this year as you search for those perfect gifts for everyone on your list.  Here are some eco-friendly and inexpensive ideas for Christmas gifts and even wrapping.

If you're looking for great gift ideas but don't have a lot to spend this holiday season, why not think out of the box this year for some unique and inexpensive gifts?

For the princess in your family, put together a decorative box of dress up clothes or put together a jewelry kit.  For an aunt or relative who loves to be in the kitchen, put together a cookbook with your favorite recipes,  for grandparents-have your child draw a picture and put it in a picture frame.  An inexpensive gift that often means the most is giving the gift of time.  Put together a list of special activities for your significant other-a romantic dinner, a massage, and a walk on the beach that can be redeemed throughout the year.

For others in the family, make gift certificates good for a dinner and a movie, a car wash, or a night of babysitting.  Have a favorite cookie or dessert? Why not get a group of friends together and have a cookie swap-share recipes and go home with a variety of cookies.  Plants and flowers are also another great gift that will keep on giving throughout the year.

Now once you've figured out the perfect present for each person on your list, why go out and buy wrapping paper that's only going to get ripped and crumpled and thrown away?  Thanks to MarthaStewart.com there's some great eco-friendly gift wrap ideas using materials you already have lying around the house that won't cost you a cent and look great too.  Instead of using plastic bubble wrap or Styrofoam peanuts as stuffing in the box-that can't be recycled, try using real peanuts or even popcorn.

Thought there's nothing to do but throw away that empty potato chip bag?  Wrong. Leave it to Martha Stewart to recommend opening the bag along its seem to reveal the shiny white or silver inside of the bag. Flatten it, wash it with soap and water and air fry. Then wrap your presents.  If you're not into using old greasy potato chip bags, why not use cloth gift wrap.  Japanese have done it for years and it's an incredible green idea because the scarf or towel that you wrap the gift in becomes a second gift that can be reused over and over.  And for the young artists in your family, have them draw and doodle on Kraft paper, calendar pages, shopping bags, magazine pages and use that to wrap your gifts, making it extra special.

Remember, gift giving doesn't have to be expensive and can be good for the environment too.