While looking around for gift ideas that fit with our family’s philosophy of trying to “live lightly on the earth” I came across a good idea in the Eneract Newsletter:
Always keep in mind that the best gift is one that uses the least resources. So write a letter, sing a song, promise to paint a wall, help install their new fluorescent fixtures or programmable thermostat or cook them dinner. How about making something? (but please, guys and gals, no cheesy gifts or I’m sending them right back!)
No one would send back a thoughtful homemade (and “green”!) gift like this, however:
Homemade Mulling Spices
Combine equal portions of cloves and whole, dried allspice berries. Place 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the middle of a small square of cheese cloth along with 1/2 a tablespoon of ground nutmeg.
Tie the top of the bundle along with two sticks of cinnamon — a perfect package for mulling 6 cups of cider!
Package it in a reusable container, write the instructions (1 unopened package in 6 cups of cider, heat gently) on a card and … voila!
That’s just one idea — and Eneract has an entire fact sheet of other green gift ideas that you can check out for more inspiration!