One of the best ways to do this not through shaming and guilt, but by building and giving. 

After all, people respond well to love and joy. No one wants to hear “you should make better choices,” even if it’s true.

Rather, if we could promote a vision for making the world a better place because a more sustainable lifestyle is awesome, then we’d more easily win people to thinking carefully about environmental causes. 

So this year, take advantage of Earth Day as a chance to give eco-friendly gifts, showcase sustainable products that are both useful and beautiful, and share in stewarding the earth with gladness.

That is one reason why we love all the eco-friendly products below. They illustrate how environmental responsibility can be meaningful, appealing, and even fun.

Best Earth Day Gift Ideas

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We’re going out on a limb here (albeit an organic, all-natural, sustainably sourced limb) to say if you want to get a special someone a gift for Earth Day, it should not be something:

• materialistic 
• expensive 
• indulgent 
• wrapped in plastic 
• and/or from a huge, corporate, environment-destroying company. 

Instead, try one of these 25 thoughtful and beautiful Earth Day gifts that will make any nature lover feel giddy. 

1. Tree Planted in Their Honor

You know we had to include a tree planted in their honor! It is Earth Day, after all, and what better holiday than that to nurture up a sweet little sapling into a full-grown tree? 

Doing this will not only put a smile on someone’s face, but they’ll love getting a map and knowing where “their” tree is located. Do some good for the whole planet — and for future generations — with this perfect gift idea!

2. PureVida Rainforest Bracelet

Not only will you look pretty and put together with this dainty turquoise colored bracelet, but you’ll feel happy as a clam knowing that 5% of your purchase price went towards the Rainforest Trust.

Nothing to feel bad about here. At this affordable price, you can purchase some for all of your nature loving friends, as well. What a cute photo opp that will be! 

3. Eco-Friendly PJs

A good pair of pajamas is worth their weight in spun gold! Rumpelstiltskin himself couldn’t have fashioned a lovelier pair than these eco-friendly pjs.

They’re handmade using fabric derived from sustainable materials such as wood pulp — and the result is oh so soft! Not to mention, absolutely gorgeous.

If there’s such a thing as “day to night pajamas,” we’re pretty confident we found them in these violet colored, perfect pjs. 

4. Indoor Herb Gardens

Apartment dwellers, rejoice! You can still have a bit of nature and nurture your green thumb with this amazing indoor herb garden. 

Fresh herbs can totally transform a mundane meal into something extraordinary. 

And don’t just stop at cooking with them! Use them for homemade tinctures, ointments, bath bombs, and for dressing up that charcuterie platter. 

Related: Vegan Gifts for Herbivores

5. Sustainably Sourced Coffees

We’ve heard there are a few people out there on Planet Earth who don’t like coffee, but we think they’re like unicorns and leprechauns (hiding in green places). 

For the rest of us human beans who are coffee lovers, get them some beans that won’t make anyone feel guilty or exploited. 

These delightfully fragrant and oh-so addictive sustainably sourced coffees won’t break the bank (but even if they did, it’d be totally worth it). Upgrade your beverage now!

Practical Earth Day Gifts

6. Reusable Organic Cotton Tea Bags

These reusable organic cotton tea bags get the award for prettiest thing we’ve seen all day!

From the embroidery on the “tag,” down to the organic woven cotton, each handmade tea bag is practically a work of art.

Fill them with your favorite loose tea and feel yourself begin to calm down and destress. Any tea lover will adore this thoughtful gift!

7. Planet Friendly Sustainable Dish Soaps

Handmade of goat and coconut oil, these adorable planet friendly sustainable dish soaps come with a darling brush!

Making the change from earth-unfriendly, plastic packaged dish soaps has never been easier or cuter. There’s really no excuse now!

The scent is fennel, black currant, and mint. You could practically eat it! But we suggest sticking with using it for dishes…

8. Buy One Plant One Eco-Notebooks

Choose your cover and your paper and you’re almost there! To where? To journal perfection, of course.

These handsome journals make great gifts for just about anyone: the list makers, the doodlers, the writers, the sketchers, the daydreamers, and the next great American authors.

And they can be personalized for extra thoughtfulness. 

9. 100% Compostable Mailers

No plastic, no worries. Anyone who is concerned about the amount of plastic surrounding us will adore and be quickly addicted to these 100% compostable mailers. What a neat idea for earth day gifts (and just in general), too.

You can choose from a variety of sizes to fit your needs. They are perfectly made to decompose and biodegrade. A genius invention!

10. Ethically Sourced Alpaca Throw

Just because you’re a nature and earth lover doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a cozy, warm throw for chilly winter evenings!

With this ethically-sourced alpaca blanket, you can snuggle up with your favorite earth muffin and watch a nature documentary.

Pick from the colors Dove Gray or Sand. So warm and cuddly! 

11. EcoCrock Counter Compost Bin

This stainless steel compost bin makes it so easy to get into the composting habit!

Don’t throw all those delightful carrot tops, onion peels, and apple cores away into the garbage. Use them for composting and keep the cycle of life going.

The style is ultra modern and chic so it won’t look out of place in even the most contemporary of kitchens. 

12. Coconut Bowl Set

Handmade of bamboo, these coconut bowl sets are both modern and chic.

Made in Southern Vietnam, these bowls help keep the local farmers in business and also save from unnecessary burning of the coconut trees and wood in the area. They have a pretty back-to-nature vibe that the earth lover in your life will adore. 

13. Reusable Bowl Covers

Handmade of cotton and linen, these pretty reusable bowl covers are as good looking as they are practical. 

You’ll find all sorts of uses for your new bowl covers, from proofing dough to rolling out biscuits to covering up your leftovers.

Who needs plastic wrap when you have these at your fingertips? Say bye-bye to plastic, reduce your carbon footprint, and reach for these instead. A favorite for practical earth day gifts.

14. Hemp Tote Bag

Let’s face it, we humans have stuff to carry.

Whether it’s from your weekly grocery trip, or you are in school with an ungodly amount of textbooks to lug around, this durable hemp tote bag is here for you.

You’ll find all sorts of ways to use this bag, and will wonder how you ever got around without it. Weekend trips, an afternoon at the beach, library day, a picnic in the woods… this natural-fiber tote will be your new best friend. 

15. UnPaper Towels

Yes, they’re easy to use and convenient, but nobody ever thought paper towels were great for the environment! 

But what should you do when you need a quick clean up, the cat coughed up a hairball, or you need to wipe baby’s carrot covered chinny-chin-chin? 

You use these wonderful UnPaper Towels, of course! Made of cotton flannel, they’re super colorful so they won’t be drab in the kitchen, and they’re easy to use and reuse for just about forever. 

Thoughtful Gifts for Earth Day

16. The Parks Collection Candles

Don’t waste electricity — light one of these Parks Collection candles instead! You’ll have instant ambiance and a sense of calm and peace, along with the lovely aroma of seagrass, cactus flowers, redwood, and Pacific moss.

Each scent is inspired by our nation’s historic parks, and with each purchase Paddywax will make a donation for the conservation and preservation of these beloved national parks.

Bring nature into the comfort of your home without ever having to set foot out the door.

17. Plantable Seed Cards

These lovely cards aren’t just cards — they’re plantable seeds! Not only are you giving the prettiest of greeting cards as earth day gifts, but you’re giving the gift of this year’s garden.

Now that’s a win-win.

Truly zero waste, this pack of six cards are hand-drawn, and the seeds consist of petunia, snapdragon, beardtongue, daisy, thyme, poppy, and chamomile, among others! So delightful.

Related: Gardening Gift Ideas

18. Handwoven Mercado Baskets

Handwoven in Mexico, these Mercado baskets are so useful! Store your books, magazines, blankets, slippers, or just all the clutter that tends to accumulate (how does it happen so fast?). 

They’re big enough to really come in handy, but low-profile enough to slide under a coffee table or bed to be out of the way. Made in a fair trade environment of palm leaves and leather, you can purchase them in Natural or Black. 

19. Eco-Friendly Snowdrop Earrings

These snowdrop earrings are so gorgeous they look like they were plucked from nature itself, not made from recycled bottles. But they are!

So pretty and dainty, they’re super-versatile and can easily go from a day at work to a night out on the town. 

The whimsical snowdrop earrings really stand out in a crowd of boring, mundane jewelry and are bound to inspire a lot of compliments. 

20. Scottish Seaglass Necklace

This Scottish seaglass necklace makes us think of wind swept hair, mermaids, long walks on the beach, and romance.

So pretty and just the right length and size, the seagreen color is picture-perfect. This pendant will look just as good with a sundress as it does with your very best formal outfit. Chef’s kiss! 

21. Hansa vases

So great for bringing some modern elements of style into your home, these Hansa vases come in Ivory or Black (both lovely matte shades). 

Easily incorporate them into any room of your house to create the perfect vibe. They’d look especially lovely in a guest bathroom, or on your nightstand or mantle.

Handcrafted in India, these are truly unique earth day gifts that will be greatly appreciated by anyone who loves a good work of art. 

22. Bamboo Hooded Poncho 

Curl up in style with this hooded poncho made from sustainable bamboo! You can get comfortable and cozy in no time at all when you own this soft and luxurious item of clothing.

Great for layering, this poncho will be your go-to for balmy summer nights, chilly evenings by the fire, or for getting ready for the workday instead of a robe. 

And for your days off, well…having a lazy afternoon never felt so good!

23. Eco-Friendly Self Care Package

Feel like you’re at a day at the spa without even leaving the comfort of your own bathroom. This eco-friendly, self care package is a day spa in a box.

You’ll feel all of your cares, concerns, and anxieties melt away as you relax in a tub of lavender scented bath bombs, body polishes, and natural oils.

Want to feel like a million bucks without spending a million bucks? We’ve got you covered! 

24. Fair Trade Woven Chenille Scarf

Handwoven by Mayan weavers in Guatemala, this beautiful, fair trade chenille scarf will make you or your gift recipient feel like royalty.

So soft and cozy, it also comes across as very chic and sophisticated. A good scarf can do that!

You’ll find yourself reaching for this versatile scarf again and again — it might even become your signature piece. Machine washable, and no two are exactly alike. 

25. Getaway In Nature

How about instead of giving stuff, give them a memory.

How can you do this? Gift them an experience: A trip in nature, a real hands-on activity to do together, a getaway! They’ll be transported and be instantly making memories in no time at all thanks to Tinggly.

Here’s how it works: Choose an experience package, order it, and Tinggly will send an electronic voucher to the recipient to notify them of your gift. They log on, choose their adventure (anything from hang gliding to wine tasting) and enjoy. 

There are so many options and packages to choose from — so fun! 

This is a gift that nature lovers will appreciate. It will give a lifetime of memories and stories to pass down to the next generation. So much better than an Amazon gift card or a toaster oven, right?

Promotional Earth Day Gifts

If you have a cause, foundation, charity, or company and could use some promotional products or gifts that emphasize sustainability and environmental friendliness, here are some ideas:

• Etch your brand on water bottles or tumblers to reduce waste from plastic bottles or cardboard coffee cups
• Promote your cause by planting trees in a local park or downtown
• Print your message on eco-friendly stress balls, tote bags, 
• Create activity books full of coloring pages, puzzles, and crafts that show kids how to recycle, garden, compost, reuse items, and other helpful activities

Read Next: Eco-Friendly Gifts for Sustainability Lovers

The post 25 Best Earth Day Gifts (Sustainable, Thoughtful, Beautiful) appeared first on All Gifts Considered.

Not crafty, like “evil maniacal laughter crafty.” But crafty as in, “you — you clever thing — know how to knit scarves and mittens and bake cookies and paint still-lives of flower beds.”

When inspiration strikes, as it does with you magical unicorns, and someone’s birthday/anniversary/holiday is right around the corner, how do you decide what to bless them with?

Well, we’ve got you some ideas. Bless their (homemade socks) right off!

We’re going to do this in two parts. First, homemade gifts. Second, used stuff. (Wait. Is that even a thing??!? Find out below…)

Part I: Homemade Gift Guide

Can I Give a Homemade Gift?

Anyone can waltz into Walmart and pick up one of those pre-boxed sets of Axe Body Spray, or slip an Olive Garden gift card inside a generic Hallmark card.

But a homemade gifts says these things:

• I’m priceless and unique
• I’m better for the planet
• Consumerism… what even is that?

So, yes, you can give a homemade gift, and you wouldn’t be wrong to make it your creed when it comes to gift giving for now and evermore. Amen.

Advantages of Homemade Gifts

There are lots of reasons why a homemade, handcrafted gift is the best. Here are a few!

One of a Kind

No one else has this exact same artwork/bread basket/pot holders as they do now!

They’re going to return umpteen crockpots after the wedding, but they’ll treasure your hand-stenciled and framed poem.

Easy to Personalize

Easy as just knowing your gift recipient a little. Their favorite color, their middle name, their weakness for chocolate, and inside joke, etc.

Something Different from the Typical Walmart/Amazon/Target Fare

Your gift will stand out from the boring gadgets and whathaveyou they’ll be receiving from others.

Affordable

Although it is possible to spend more on a DIY project or gift than you would spend at a discount store, normally you will shell out much less dough for something homemade. Check out our gift budget guide for more information!

Better for the Environment

In so many ways! From the packaging to the plastic to the carbon footprint…

Teaches Your Kids Resourcefulness & Creativity

Get those mini humans involved! It adds a sweet touch (and you get to spend time with them).

Etiquette for Homemade Gifts

Of course you’re going to want to know something about the gift recipient: from their allergies (if baking) to their preferences on things like scents, colors, usefulness, etc.

Be sure to package or wrap your gift well. Use some creative, high-end wrapping paper, get some nice name tags and twine, and put it together with a bow. This kind of present is all about presentation.

If you’re feeling stumped, or simply pressed for time, there’s always someone else’s homemade gifts: try Etsy!

Whatever you find will still be more thoughtful than a pack of bath salts from Target. Plus, those lovely Etsy handmade gifts will often come with gorgeously earthy and cute packaging.

Homemade Gift Ideas

Here are some proven favorites.

1. Delicious Food

Who doesn’t love food? No one, that’s who.

A little sleuthing on your part and you’ll know what to focus on. If they have a sweet tooth, a box of decadent cookies or even a beautifully frosted cake if that’s your jam, will be much appreciated.

Oh yeah, and jam. That’s also delicious!

If they’re an adventurous eater, try your hand at something more exotic (but still relatively simple) like garlic naan bread, a batch of fresh hummus, jarred pico de gallo, or a container of pesto.

2. DIY T-Shirt

Graphic tees never go out of style, but they can be spendy and hard to find. Make your own by purchasing an inexpensive plain tee at Hobby Lobby, a thrift shop, or your own closet.

Then, using fabric paint and stencils, design your own. You can do anything from a rock band to a clever slogan, a motto or creed, their favorite book title or movie quote, or… well, the list goes on and on!

3. Make Your Own Gift Basket

Fun to fill and even more fun to give, gift baskets are just the thing when you can’t seem to narrow down your ideas.

Pick a theme (like Stay at Home Date Night with popcorn, DVDs, and pajamas, or A Day at the Spa with bubble baths, face masks, nail polishes, and a bottle of wine).

4. Homemade Soap

There are tons of tutorials you can follow along for this fun activity. Deciding your scents and colors is fun too.

Warning, this new hobby can be addicting! Soap for everyone!

5. Bath Bombs

They’re delightfully scented and turn any ordinary bath into one that Calgon would be jealous of. A little food coloring too is an easy way to turn the bath water a lovely shade of mermaid green.

6. Knitted/Crocheted Gifts

From mittens to socks to caps and hats, a handknit or crocheted item will be treasured for winters to come. Don’t forget to use their personal favorite color of yarn.

7. Hand-Stitched Gifts

A cross-stitched wall-hanging, a macramé plant holder, embroidered hand towels (maybe personalized with their name), monogrammed pillowcases, a quilted eyeglass holder, well, if you’re a sewing bug, you don’t even need any more ideas!

Part II: Used Gift Guide

Can I Give a Used Gift?

Yes, you absolutely can and should give used gifts. But you need to consider several factors to avoid any misunderstanding or embarrassment.

What is the situation? Is the recipient a business client, or one of your best friends?

Is the business client part of a non-profit that advocates for lowering carbon footprints, or a lawyer who is working their way up in their profession?

You can see how the answer might change depending on the situation.

How well do you know the recipient? Say you just met someone at the park while your kids played together, and you hit it off and are invited to their child’s birthday party.

You don’t want to show up at the party with a used gift, because you simply don’t know how they would respond to something like that. One person’s “well-loved treasure” is another person’s old junk.

You won’t know how a gift like that will be received until you know them better.

Advantages of Used Gifts

Environmentally Friendly

It’s already been purchased once already, so no need to trek to Fred Meyers and back again: a waste of gas, time, resources, and money! You don’t need to plunder Mother Earth anymore than you need to.

Budget Friendly

If you keep your eyes open at thrift stores, yard sales, craigslist/Facebook Marketplace, you can often find great items at much lower prices. This will help you stay within your budget.

And you’d be surprised at how often the original tags are still in place, making your “used” gift look like a million bucks.

More Bang for Your Buck

By the same token, when you’re spending less per item you can afford to get more stuff.

Often, you can find 2, 3, or even more “gently used” items for the same price as a single one new in the shrink wrap.

Thrift Store Gifts Can Be Good for Charity

Most thrift shops give back to the community in a plethora of ways: from creating jobs to supporting the local homeless population to help fund churches and schools. So don’t count them out when gift shopping!

Inspires Creativity

You never know what you’ll find at the thrift stores (or yard sales or flea markets). The thrill of the hunt is half the fun! You’re never going to find that obscure childhood favorite book or whimsical cookie jar at Walmart!

Used Gifts Can Be Extra-Special

So, your nephew is into Marvel or maybe manga comics. Instead of buying a bunch of those popular Funko Pop characters, find some 1970s issues of Black Widow or an actual vintage samurai sword from Japan.

What do you think he is going to remember – and treasure – more?

Helps Identify & Minimize Consumerism

Black Friday goes from, like, Halloween through the first week of December. Then it’s just “holiday sales” after that.

The entire time we’re bombarded with a ridiculous amount of advertising, and can only escape it by turning on a Netflix special Christmas movie with a bunch of product placements and a heartwarming message that it’s all about, you know, love or something.

The commercialism is so pervasive I’m not even sure we can see it for what it is.

One small way to #resist? Don’t go to the mall – go to the thrift store instead. Don’t browse all the holiday deals online – spend an afternoon at the local antique mall and think about what might be meaningful to the people on your list.

Creates an Experience

One year when I was young, my family decided to do only used gifts for Christmas. Now I realize it was probably because we were dirt poor and didn’t have many other options, but all five of us kids thought it was brilliant.

So we scoured the thrift stores (a couple of us could drive by this point) and bought tons of quirky, fun, and vintage items. I remember getting a 1960s coffee table that I kept for years. Each of us got like 30 things, most of it was garbage, but it was the best Christmas ever.

Why? It was an experience.

Etiquette for Used Gifts

First, don’t regift stuff. That’s just plain tacky.

You want a used gift to be meaningful, not just cheap or convenient. The key is to make the gift itself perfectly thoughtful. (We’ll explore some ideas next.)

Wrap up your gift nicely. Get some twine or hemp string, tie it up with a lovely tag and a hand-written note, and wrap it or place it into a gift bag with tissue. Presentation is important; that’s how you graduate from “Here’s this hand-me-down I found” to “I’ve carefully selected this timeless, one-of-a-kind gift just for you.”

**Actually** Good Used Gift Ideas

1. Antiques

Who doesn’t love something that comes with a story? Something that is unique and special and hard to find?

Antique stores or malls are everywhere and that’s because they’re so much fun to shop at.

What does your gift recipient love the most? Comic books, knick-knacks, teapots, photography, bells, hats, Pyrex? Get thee to an antique store!

2. Heirlooms

When an item has a history, a tangible story, it makes it so much more precious.

Whether it’s a teacup that makes them think of Gramma, or a framed photograph of an ancestor, an heirloom gift will be treasured.

3. Vintage

Anything from aprons to spoons to postcards! Vintage items get new life again when they’re in new hands. Etsy is great for vintage items, but don’t rule out the above mentioned antique shops and thrift stores too.

Of course if you have in mind something super specific, like a Beatles poster or an apron from the ’50s, then online shopping is the way to go.

4. Thrift Store Finds

If you’ve been to their house and know they love brightly colored Fiesta Ware, or leather bound books, or figurines of cats, well, you’re well equipped to start shopping at a thrift store for them.

It helps to go with a list of things in mind so you don’t get overwhelmed, or get home and remember you forgot to browse the handbag aisle!

5. Art

Everyone has their personal idea of what is beautiful, so keep them in mind as you shop for art.

Are they more of the watercolor painting type? Or more modern and streamlined? Do they love color or prefer black and white? Paintings or photographs? You get the idea.

6. Vintage advertisements

A lot of thrift stores, antique stores, and book shops will have a little section of vintage advertisements. These can be a fun and quirky way to decorate a space!

If your gift recipient is a doctor, for example, an old advertisement for something medical would be on point. (Another resource for this idea is old magazines).

7. Used Books

Bibliophiles can’t get enough! Use their vice for the printed word by shopping for them at used bookstores or thrift shops or yard sales.

Simply know their favorite genre and you’re off to the races.

More Gift Ideas to Reduce Waste & Lower Your Carbon Footprint

Used, unique, upcycled, or just plain unusual, here are some excellent gift ideas with an eye towards loving the earth while loving your neighbor.

1. Tree Planted in Their Honor

Ok so it’s not handmade by you, but it’s definitely more hands-on and certainly helps reduce both of your carbon footprints.

With this gift, there’s no cardboard to dispose of, no plastic shrink wrap. Just a tree, planted in the Nation Forest where it’s most needed, in honor of the gift recipient.

Pretty cool!

2. Used Vintage Clothes

It definitely sounds better when you say vintage and not used when it comes to clothing. Vintage clothes are back in a big way: from ’70s style bellbottom jeans to ’50s lady’s hats to ’80s graphic tees.

3. Kitchen Items

Whether it’s the never-used, still boxed, ice cream maker your well-meaning father-in-law got you years ago, or a set of mismatched but perfectly lovely teacups, kitchen items are always well loved and well received.

4. Arts and Crafts Supplies

Thrift stores are filled with pre-bagged things like paints and brushes, sewing supplies, old (and fun) vintage patterns for sewing, and the like.

You could put together a whole gift basket of things like these for someone who loves to craft! And you’ll spend a fraction of the price that you would at Joanne’s.

5. Photos and Frames

Printing out a good photograph of the two of you, or of their great-grandfather, costs literally a few coins, and you can find the perfect frame at your local Goodwill for around $3. Maybe do a few for a whole wall?

Read Next: Homemade Gift Ideas for Boyfriend

The post Homemade Gifts: Ideas & Etiquette for Used Gifts, DIY & More appeared first on All Gifts Considered.

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How the Gift of a Tree Makes a Difference

It’s pretty common knowledge that trees make a positive difference. Before we dive into looking at tree gifts, let’s review a few specific ways that trees – any and all trees – make a difference in your life and for the environment.

Among other things, trees:

• Improve air quality by trapping pollutants in their leaves, while also producing oxygen
• Create habitats for animals and even other plants
• Help reduce energy consumption and costs (when near homes), blocking sunlight and wind to help reduce cooling and heating costs and energy use
• Reduce flooding and erosion, as tree roots help hold soil in place and their broad canopies disperse rain, allowing it to drip rather than rush
• Lower the amount of dust, pollen, and smoke in the air, trapping them in among the leaves and branches
• Improve mood and behavior, as research shows that trees produce a relaxing effect in humans while promoting health and healing
• Help the climate by taking in carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and more. Just one tree can take in more than a ton of carbon dioxide over its lifespan

These details were adapted from the National Wildlife Federation and the NC State University Cooperative Extension.

For these reasons and more, giving the gift of a tree will make a difference in the life of the recipient and will benefit the local environment.

All this, and we haven’t even mentioned one of the best parts: Trees are beautiful! It’s a delight to see the branches of a tree swaying in the breeze, or to enjoy the shade of its leaves, or to see the birds make a home in it, or to partake of its fruit. Trees enhance the beauty of the world.

So for all these reasons (and I’m sure there are more), trees make a great gift.

Types of Tree Gifts

There are several ways to give a tree gift. Here are some:

• Seeds – Give tree seeds for the recipient to plant and grow their tree. This requires a lot of work, however, so unless you know that the person has a strong desire to plant a tree from a seed, I would avoid this option.
• Saplings or small trees – In my opinion, this is the idea tree gift. A small tree or sapling is small enough to be transportable, and can even be kept in the house. The recipient can also choose to plant it anywhere they like. A great gift.
• Tree planting – For a simpler, nobler gift, consider having a tree planted in honor of someone. In this case, the gift is more focused on the tree planting making a difference than the person actually receiving a physical object. You purchase a tree that gets planted in a needed area in the forest, and the recipient gets a card or certificate with information about the tree. This ideal for giving as a sympathy gift, or for someone who is passionate about conservation.

5 Tree Gifts That Make a Difference

1. Housewarming Tree Gifts

When you give a tree as a housewarming gift, your gift says something about what it means to make a home. A tree symbolizes taking root, thinking long-term with slow yet enduring growth, health and fruitfulness, beauty, and life.

The housewarming tree gift above is an olive tree from Seeds of Life, and includes a personalized keepsake house ornament. Olive trees can be grown indoors or out, and symbolize friendship, peace, and prosperity.

How it makes a difference: A housewarming tree can be planted indoors, affording natural beauty while aiding with air purification and improving mood. Planted outside, the tree can provide shade and wind blockage, mitigate soil erosion, increase home value, and more. Plus, a tree housewarming gift isn’t some trinket that will end up in a landfill someday.

2. Memorial Tree Gifts

For a meaningful sympathy gift, consider giving the gift of a tree. This could be a tree that you send or hand to the grieving family; a gift similar to the housewarming tree mentioned above. Or, perhaps better, it could be a tree planted “in memory of” the deceased in a national forest to help restore wildfire devastation.

With the gift of a tree planted in honor of a loved one, your recipient gets a lovely card or certificate, plus information about exactly where the tree is planted (photos and GPS coordinates). The tree itself is planted in an area affected by wildfires, chosen by the national forest experts to help restore the devastated forest area. Each tree is maintained and protected, so you know the tree will never be cut down but instead grow and thrive for generations.

You can order a memorial tree (or grove of trees) from Trees for a Change, and you can learn more about their process and the benefits here.

How it makes a difference: These are trees that would not be planted otherwise, so your purchase literally does make a difference. Specifically, the tree planting helps restore our national forests, providing all the benefits mentioned at the start of the article. Also, when sent in place of sympathy flowers, you are planting a tree that will provide benefits for generations rather than supporting an industry focused on the quick growth and cutting of short-lived florals.

3. Fruit Tree Gifts

The gift of a fruit tree is a lovely alternative to many traditional choices such as flowers or gift baskets. The lemon tree (available in several styles like housewarming or birthday, shown above for Mother’s Day) is a great gift because it is not some little trinket, but rather a fruit-bearing living tree that can grow and thrive for years, providing fruit, beauty, and shade.

Lemon trees can grow indoors or outdoors, as can many other fruit trees. This allows the recipient to keep the plant inside for as long as they like, and if they ever want to change things up they can simply plant it outside. Ideal fruit trees to grow inside include lemons, limes, oranges, bananas, peaches, apricots, and nectarines.

How it makes a difference: In addition to the benefits provided by any tree mentioned above, fruit trees help save money on groceries, provide a naturally-grown healthy snack, and can provide a sense of pride and joy that comes from caring for a living thing and partaking of its fruit.

4. Wedding Tree Gifts

If you are looking for something special to give as a wedding gift that perhaps isn’t on the registry, consider giving a tree.

As noted, trees are deeply symbolic, often used to represent life, beauty, growth, family, strength, renewal, abundance, and much more. The rich meaning combined with the natural beauty of the tree make it a truly unique wedding gift.

A bonsai tree is a particularly good choice for a wedding tree gift. It’s small and easy to care for. A bonsai will fit into any newlywed couple’s home or apartment. Plus it carries the symbolism of harmony, balance, and all that is good.

How it makes a difference: A tree in the couple’s home has a peaceful, soothing effect. It adds grace and beauty to the decor while helping to purify the air. It’s also something that they can care for together and watch grow. Perhaps they will plant it in the yard of their first home bought together!

5. Plant a Tree Gift Donations

Gift donations to plant a tree in someone’s name is our final tree gift idea. This is an option to have a tree (or many trees) planted out in national forests where there is the greatest need. It makes a great gift for those who don’t have time, space, or energy to plant or take care of a tree themselves.

Plant a tree gift donations can be a corporate gift to commemorate a business relationship, a thoughtful gift for an earth-conscious individual, a special way to celebrate a retirement or other special occasion, and much more.

Here are a few of our favorite tree planting organizations, each of which plants trees to help restore national forests:

• Trees for a Change – Sends a certificate to the recipient plus location of planted trees
• National Forest Foundation – Sends a notice in the mail for donations of $75 or more
• One Tree Planted – $1 donation per tree, will send an email for gift recipients
• Arbor Day – Gives you the option to download and print a certificate yourself or order a printed card

How it makes a difference: We all depend on the national forests for many reasons. This includes economic, environmental, health, and heritage factors. When you give the gift of a tree planted in a national forest instead of a more traditional gift, you’re giving back to the environment rather than taking from it. Well-maintained national forests help improve air quality. They create habitats for wildlife, reduce flooding and erosion, and help keep our planet looking beautiful.

So, What should I do now?

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about some fabulous tree gift ideas! There are many reasons and ways to give the gift of a tree to someone in your life. Here are the best next steps to make your gift a reality:

• Donate. Hit up Trees for a Change for a great tree gift. This results in trees planted in forests devastated by wildfires along with a lovely certificate sent to your recipient.
• Send. You may prefer to send a physical tree to the recipient. Sometimes it’s easiest to just click a few buttons online. If that’s what you need right now, here are the best tree gifts:
  1. Mature (3 yr old) Hawaiian Umbrella Indoor Bonsai Tree
  2. Bonsai Tree Starter Kit Gift
  3. Meyer Lemon Tree Gift (available in Housewarming, Mother’s Day, Sympathy/generic, and Birthday themes)
  4. Southern Magnolia Sympathy Tree Gift
• Do it yourself. Pick up an attractive planter, some soil, ribbon, and a gift card, then choose a tree from your local nursery. Put it all together and you have a great tree gift that truly makes a difference.

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