Janelle Sorensen

Forget paging through catalogues (do people still do that in the digital age?) or spending hours traipsing from store to store. You will find everything you need for everyone on your shopping list right here. In no particular order, here are my current top ten holiday gift guides:

1. 2010 Safer Holiday Toy Guide from SafeMama

2. 2010 Gift Guide from TreeHugger

3. Green Gift Guide and Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas from Green Your Decor

4. Green Gift Guide from Inhabitat

5. The Absolute Greatest Guide to Green Gifts for Kids from Healthy Child Healthy World

6. 14 Green Toys and Gifts: 2010 Eco-Friendly Holiday Guide from EcoChildsPlay

7. The Ultimate ‘Safe Alternative’ Gift Guide for Kids 0-6 from safbaby.com

8. Eco Holiday Gift Guide from ecofabulous

9. Etsy Organic (not so much a guide as a one-stop shop for amazing, handmade organic goodies)

10. 69 Quirky, Unique and Semi-Homemade Gifts from Planet Green

And, don’t forget you can also think outside the gift box!

• Choose an experiential gift like tickets to a play or a day at the museum.
• For young kids, you can get away with swapping toys with other parents. Find something your child no longer plays with and trade with another parent. Wrap and re-gift!
• Give the gift of time (especially good for busy parents who need concrete reminders to take time out for the kids). Make some coupons for your child that say things like “good for one hour of playing outside” or “good for 15 minutes of cuddling.” You’d be surprised how much a young child enjoys this gift. It’s empowering and they get the best gift of all – your love and attention!

Have you come across any great guides? On-line stores? Or, other ideas for greener, safer gifts?