ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Are you like everyone else this holiday season looking for unique cool green gifts to give? Or is your New Year's resolution to give a little something back and live a greener lifestyle? Below are links to eco friendly companies that sell everything from organic clothing, art, jewellery, recycled furniture, appliances, home décor and more. Plus eco-friendly tips for Christmas green gift giving.

Buying organic and eco friendly isn't grungy anymore, it's distinctive, unique and supports life's diversity. Get Hip, Go Organic and support life's sustainability!

Green Gift Giving Tips

Try flea markets, antique jewellery and vintage clothing and re-sale shops for gifts - you'll be giving a unique present, as well as recycling.

Indulge with a local, organic hamper made up from the local farmers market or give gifts of locally-brewed beer or organic wine.

If you're talented in the kitchen, you could make chutneys, cakes, or chocolate truffles as presents. Or make your own flavoured organic oil, adding dried chillies, garlic or herbs to a pretty bottle and filling it up with best-quality organic oil.

Give the gift of time - make vouchers from recycled items - 1 x lawn mow, baby-sitting, gardening etc.

Gifts made with love - cooking + craft.

Treat people to a special experience instead of an item - such as theatre tickets, annual membership of a gallery or a weekend at a spa.

Buy gifts that help someone else live sustainably, such as organic seedlings for a veggie patch / organic seeds / fruit and local native trees / herb garden /  worm farm / compost / trolly bags / re-usable shopping bags / water tank.

For budding eco-enthusiasts, `Save Cash and Save the Planet', published by Friends of the Earth and Collins, is packed with ideas on how you can save money and help the planet. www.savecashsaveplanet.co.uk

Take your own re-usable shopping bags with you when you do your Christmas shopping. Around 125,000 tonnes of plastic packaging are thrown away over Christmas.

Cut down on the stress of choosing presents if you've got a big group of people to buy for, organise a `Secret Santa' - agree to a gift budget which everyone must stick to, pick one name each out of a hat, then everyone only has to buy one eco-friendly present.

Vivavi's mission is to provide cool, ultra stylish, eco friendly products that make it easy to add a little green to your life. Just because it is eco friendly doesn't mean it's granola. Check out their Eco Cycle or their rugged but fashionable footwear made from recycled materials. Check out their cool elegant, eco friendly furniture.

http://www.vivavi.com/

Sierra Trading Post Outlet Mall - This is a must see for outdoor enthusiasts. Be sure to check out their huge selection of name brand sports gear and equipment at outlet pricing such as Patagonia, North Face, Dansko, Carhartt, and Hiking Boots.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Catalogs.aspx

Gaiam is a web site full of gifts that you would love to receive yourself. The bonus, choose from gifts that give back that help support communities, people and children in need. You can also choose from jewelry, baby, yoga, pilates, wellness and home décor amongst many other ideas.

http://www.gaiam.com

Discover This specializes in science kits, toys and gift ideas for kids and adults alike. They have cool science kits that will teach your kids about chemistry, earth science and astronomy. Their toy selection is original, creative and vast. Choices range from sea monkeys that will teach your children how to raise a pet, to robot kits, dinosaurs, microscopes and much, much, much more.

http://www.discoverthis.com/

At the Fair Trade Online Store you will find delicious organic chocolates and coffee. They also carry stylish clothing, crafts, and an array of gift baskets, and toys that are environmentally, politically and socially friendly.
http://store.gxonlinestore.org/chocolate.html

www.NaturalPlay.com works hard to select toys that are beautifully designed and well constructed. Their toys encourage inventive thought and play with the natural world. Some toys are made by master artisans. They offer Waldorf inspired toys, games, puzzles, art supplies and crafts, for kids starting at birth to age 88. You could say they have something for kids at every age.

http://www.naturalplay.com/

Attention allergy sufferers, this web site is for you! Here you will find more gifts than you can imagine. You can shop by allergy or brand. Great gifts ideas include, air cleaners, baby bedding, kid's night lights, water filters, vacuums, lighting, appliances, bedroom, home décor and more. Learn more about the allergies you have and check out their tips and hints. Allergy buyers club even helps you to comparison shop with their handy chart that compares the critical differences in their products for you.

http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/

http://www.organicauthority.com/reviews/reviews/organic-authoritys-holiday-list-of-eco-friendly-gift-companies.html

In Australia we have a huge selection of green, Eco-conscious companies that support life's sustainability, here are just a few:

You'll find a huge selection of organic and environmentally friendly products at WildWalnut, as well as fantastic gift baskets, a wishlist feature and gift certificates to choose from. Shop online safely, then sit back - we will deliver straight to your door!
www.wildwalnut.com.au 

Mama Aum
Organic Lifestyle store offering eco friendly and family safe products.
www.mamaaum.com.au

Growing Gifts by Miller & Brown
Environmentally Friendly Gift Ideas
www.growinggifts.com.au

Guilt-free Gifts is a specialized gift service providing the highest quality natural,
organic, eco-friendly & fairtrade hampers & gifts that make a difference!
Gifts that don’t cost the earth™
www.guilt-freegifts.com.au

Welcome to Australian Organic Hampers where we specialise in certified organic hampers and gifts packed with fine food from the diverse growing regions of Australia.
When you give an Australian Organic Hampers gift to someone special, not only will they be receiving a sumptious collection of fine food, they will also be experiencing a taste of Australia and will enjoy savouring the fruits of a sustainable future. http://www.organichampers.com.au/

HoneyBee Australia's largest range of Wooden Toys, Educational Toys, Steiner Toys, European Toys and Natural Baby Toys for Imaginative Play !!!      http://www.honeybeetoys.com.au/

Bright Pineapple - and welcome to our gorgeous Summer range of organic cotton baby and toddler clothes....
http://www.brightpineapple.com.au/

Dragon Fly Toys - keeping the magic of childhood alive!
http://www.dragonflytoys.com.au/

Gifts that save the earth
www.neco.com.au

Bee Green
Online shopping - making ethical choices easy
www.beegreen.com.au

Gifts with a conscience!
www.justsite.com.au

www.ecolinen.com

www.stylewithsoul.com.au

http://www.somethingoutofthebox.com/
http://www.giveorganic.com.au/
https://www.urbaneco.com.au/

The Organic House where healthy living is organic living
http://www.theorganichouse.com.au/

EcoShop - Australian eco-friendly shopping
http://www.ecoshop.com.au/asp/default.asp

Neco - eco superstore
http://www.neco.com.au/categories.asp?cID=157&c=222227

Todae - lifestyle for a sustainable future
http://www.todae.com.au/comersus2/store/comersus_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=81

Greenglobe - Apparel Designer and Manufacturer
http://www.greenglobe.com.au/

Evohampers - eco-friendly hampers
http://evoshop.com.au/

Candles

Queen B beeswax candles http://www.queenb.com.au

http://www.ecoya.com.au/
http://www.alphacandles.com/
http://www.greenscents.com.au/
http://www.jasille.com/
http://www.pandtaromaticcandles.com.au/
Soy candles and soaps http://www.soapsational.com.au/
Soy candles and accessories http://www.thecandlenut.com.au/
http://www.naturalsoycandles.com.au/
http://www.wickedwix.com.au/

Recycled Picture Frames
http://www.palesinstyle.com.au/
http://www.redwhisper.com.au/
http://www.tonguengroove.com.au/
http://www.wildernessframes.com.au/

Calendars using recyled paper
http://www.angelart.com.au/
http://www.imagesofantarctica.com/
Recycled stationery etc
http://www.blossomcreations.com.au/

Recycled seeded paper
http://www.papergoround.com.au/
Recycled handmade paper goods
http://www.planetwisepaper.com.au/

Organic loose leaf tea, soap and body products
http://www.herbalteaslive.com/

http://thedarlingrange.com.au/

People for Fair Trade (PFFT) are a voluntary network of people in Australia who are committed to fair trade with producers of goods, through the support of education and alternative trade.
http://fairtrade.asn.au/

http://www.singleorigin.com.au/
http://www.organicangels.com.au/
http://www.healthyhabitat.com.au/store/comersus_index.asp

http://www.fairgotrading.com.au/  

http://www.ecobarn.com.au/

http://www.gloworganics.com.au/

http://www.mannafromheaven.com.au/
Mother Meg's natural biscuits and cakes
http://www.mothermegs.com.au/

Cocoa Farm Organic Chocolate
www.coolhealth.com.au
Booja Booja
www.veganperfection.com.au

Coolhealth
www.coolhealth.com.au

Hampden Trading
www.hampdentrading.com.au

Living Earth Pty. Ltd.
www.livingearth.com.au

Organic By Nature
www.organicbynature.com.au

Plamil
www.veganperfection.com.au

Give some organic cheer!

The Hunter Valley's sustainably produced Rosnay Organic Wines are made with grapes grown without pesticides.
www.rosnay.com.au

www.goatbeer.com.au

www.organicwines.com.au

www.settlersridge.com.au
www.randomvalley.com
www.ledaswan.com.au
www.grandview.com.au
www.tamburlaine.com.au
www.botobolar.com.au

www.mywinery.com.au

Burragumbilli Organic Beer www.burragumbilli.com.au/splash.html
www.annasvineyard.com/annas/index.htm
www.edgehill-vineyards.com.au/
www.captainscreek.com/
www.cassegrainwines.com.au/
www.cullenwines.com.au/
www.douglasparkorganics.com/
www.gardnersground.com.au/

www.grancariwines.com.au/
www.tomsdrop.com.au/

Give a gift that gives twice

Support charities by buying presents from charity shops and shops selling fairly traded goods, such as Oxfam. Buying fair-trade goods means more of the price of the item goes directly to the producer.

Oxfam Unwrapped
http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au/

World Vision Smiles
http://www.worldvision.com.au/Smiles/GiftCatalogue/Default.aspx

TEAR Australia
http://usefulgifts.org/

WWF - World Wildlife Fund www.wwf.org.au

Australian Conservation Foundation www.acfonline.org.au

The Wilderness Society www.wilderness.org.au

Rainforest Rescue

www.rainforestrescue.org.au

Save The Orangutan http://www.orangutan.org.au/help.html

http://www.savetheorangutan.org.uk/

Orangutan Foundation International 

www.orangutan.org

Orangutan Foundation UK

www.orangutan.org.uk

Boneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation

www.savetheorangutan.co.uk

Australian Orangutan Project - for only $55 you can adopt a beautiful Orangutan.

www.orngutan.org.au

Friends of the Earth
http://magpie.foe.org.au/shop/

wildshop - wilderness society
http://www.wildshop.com.au/

Amnesty International Australia
http://shop.amnesty.org.au/shop

Oxfam Community Aid Abroad Trading
http://www.oxfamtrading.org.au/

New Internationalist Australian on-line shop
http://www.newint.com.au/shop/
 
The Cruelty free shop
http://crueltyfreeshop.com.au/

Guide Dogs - Online Shop
http://www.guidedogs.com.au/Shop.html

Christmas cards

Buy recycled cards or make your own from recycled card. A handmade card is always extra special.
Also, don't forget to recycle your cards after Christmas. This can be done by picking up a free reply-paid recycling envelope from participating Australia Post outlets, available from Boxing Day until the end of January (while stocks last). The envelope fits approximately 60 cards and is sent to recycling facilities in each state where they are turned into 'SAFE' paper products. You can also go to most Coles Supermarkets and put them in the Planet Ark recycling bins. Since the Cards 4 Planet Ark campaign began 13 years ago, over 600 million greeting cards have been recycled - saving over 115,000 trees.
http://www.auspost.com.au/BCP/0,1467,CH3374%257EMO19,00.html
http://www.planetark.com/campaignspage.cfm/newsid/11/story.htm

Some other christmas ideas can be found here:

The Big Love Gift Guide
http://www.barkingowl.com/cc/

Ideas for Alternative Christmas
http://home.vicnet.net.au/%7Eozideas/xmas00.htm