Save Money, Save the Planet - Green Holiday Gift Guide 2009

These gifts give back by helping save resources and cash. Help your family and friends go green on a budget.

Citizenpip’s Soup to Nuts Lunch Kit $55 Why it's green: A complete lunch kit your kids will actually love to use. It’s green to the max with no lead, BPA, PVC, or phthalates in any parts of the Soup to Nuts Kit. Save money, be green, and pack reusable lunches all year long. Recommended by: EcoHuddle
Gardener’s Seat $28 Why it's green: Part tool bag, part folding chair, this gift makes gardening easier. And it doesn’t get more local than growing your own fruits and veggies. Recommended by: Green Picks

Wonder Wash $43 Why it's green: This hand-cranked mini-washing machine is fast and efficient. It uses less water than conventional washers or even hand-washing. The Wonder Wash is ideal for delicates and small loads. Recommended by: Green Picks
French-Press Coffee Mug $28 Why it's green: This stainless-steel French press mug lets you brew your own coffee and then drink right from the cup. Helps you avoid plastic and paper waste. Recommended by: Green Picks

Chimney Balloon $43 to $87 Why it's green: This inflatable “pillow” seals a chimney tighter than a typical dampener door will. Saves money and energy, and helps keep the house at a comfortable temperature. Recommended by: Green Picks
Perfect Flush $79 Why it's green: Installing a new, low-flow toilet saves tons of water, but that's an expensive proposition for many people. An easier alternative is the Perfect Flush. It takes just 30 minutes to put in an existing toilet, and saves $100 in water per year. Recommended by: Green Picks

Clothesline $12 and up Why it's green: If we air-dry clothes three months of the year, we could save 25% of our home's total energy bill. Give a portable or full-size clothesline to spread that fresh, sunshiny feeling. The small ones can be used indoors year-round. Recommended by: Green Picks
Rain Barrel $100 and up Why it's green: A rain barrel lets you harvest rain water and use it to nourish your garden instead of turning on the sprinklers. It can save you up to $125 in water and fertilizer (since rain water has more nutrients than tap water). Recommended by: EcoHuddle

Roadrunner Low-Flow Showerhead $40 Why it's green: One minute of hot water wasted every day can cost up to $25 in utility bills and up to 1,000 gallons of water. The Roadrunner both reduces the water flow (not that you'd notice as you bathe) and stops wasted hot water before you get into the shower. Recommended by: TerraPass
Smart Strip Power Strip Around $30 Why it's green: This smart surge protector automatically turns things off, even when you forget. Ideal for use with a computer (turns off printer and monitor when not in use) or your TV (turns off surround sound, DVD player, etc.). Recommended by: TerraPass

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