From trees glistening with tinsel and lights to wreaths welcoming guests who come to call, green surrounds our senses during the holidays. This year you can celebrate this festive holiday color by giving gifts that help protect Earth’s precious resources. Here are a few “green” gift ideas:
For D.C.-Area Friends, Buy a Bikeshare Membership
Skip the bus and shrink your carbon footprint with the 1,100 bikes available at 110 docking stations throughout the Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va., regions. With an annual membership available for a discounted holiday rate of $65, your friends and family will thank you for an eco-friendly commute. Membership costs $20 for 30 days; $7 to take a bike out for a daily whirl. For more information, go to www.capitalbikeshare.com.
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Germantown Cycles
Montgomery County is , but in the meantime there are ways to help support a green commute closer to home. Germantown Cycles, located on Wisteria Drive, has plenty of bikes — mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, BMX bikes and custom-built bikes — to choose from.
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Embrace the ‘Anti-Bottle’
Known as Vapur (AKA the “Anti-Bottle”), this flexible, reusable water bottle folds when empty and stands when filled. It fits in pockets, purses and backpacks. Another plus: A portion of its sales goes to water-related causes. Available at Macy’s and at various specialty stores. Details at vapur.us.
Send Eco-Chic Greetings
Since Santa is making his list and checking it twice, we should all be good girls and boys and have thank you notes on hand after the holidays. Green Paper Studio in Bethesda sells eco-friendly stationery (including those all-too-important thank you notes) for all occasions. The company’s line of eco-chic paper goods includes colorful recycled cards, papers and envelopes. Additional recycled products include invitations, journals and bags.
Re-Gifting Done Right
Sometimes re-gifting can be a good thing, especially when it is in the form of donating gently used clothes and toys to a local consignment shop. Located in the Fox Chapel shopping center in Germantown, Emma’s Closet offers boutique clothes for kids and babies at a fraction of the price. For more information call 301-916-2551.
Keep it Clean
Everyone’s home needs a little refreshing after a busy holiday season. Why not offer a gift card for an eco-friendly cleaning service? Gaithersburg-based Lilly’s Cleaning Service uses hypo-allergenic filter bags for vacuum cleaners and other pet and child-friendly cleaning products, according to general manager Diego Grajales. Gift cards can be purchased online.
