Inexpensive ecofriendly Christmas gifts for coworkers

Looking for green gift ideas for Holiday gift exchanges? You want to give coworkers nice presents but remain environmentally conscious. You don't have a big budget either. Why not make your own homemade green Christmas gifts?

Herb growing kit

Your coworkers can grow their own herbs with this great herb growing kit. Include small ecofriendly clay pots, soil and herb seeds in a pretty basket. This cheap Christmas gift for coworkers lets them grow healthy, ecofriendly herbs indoors all winter. In spring, the herbs can be transplanted outdoors or in larger pots.

Fancy it up:

Paint the outside of the pots in pretty spring colors with non-toxic craft paint.

Baking mixes

This is a popular gift coworkers will love. Layer dry ingredients in a glass mason jar. Include a recipe. List wet ingredients, mixing and baking instructions. Tie a pretty ribbon around the jar with the recipe attached. For an added touch, bake a finished batch and put them all in a basket together.

Fancy it up:

Package it in a mixing bowl. Add a wooden spoon with a pretty red checked bow.

Jams and jellies

Jams and jellies are actually quite simple to make. They make a really pretty homemade Christmas gift for co-workers. Make a big batch. Give one jar to each coworker on your list. They can reuse the jars for any purpose including making their own batch of jelly. Include a recipe to make it easier for them.

Fancy it up:

Cut circles from floral fabric. Rubber-band them over your jars for a handmade look.

Homemade pickles

Who doesn't love pickles of one kind or another? Whether they're dill or bread and butter, these pickles won't last long. They can be made in large batches just like the jams and jellies. Include a recipe for a nice touch.

Fancy it up:

Add whole dill, garlic cloves or whatever whole spices you like to each jar.

Soap

Why not make homemade soap for Christmas gift exchanges? It really is quite easy. Buy inexpensive soap base at any craft store. Craft stores also sell soap molds, scents and colors for environmentally sound soap making. You can even buy an inexpensive soap making machine that melts and blends the whole thing for you. Pour into molds and you're done.

Fancy it up:

Craft stores also sell ingredients for making bath bombs, shampoo and lotion. Why not include a few in the basket with your soap?

Handmade candles

Your coworkers might also enjoy homemade scented candles. You can buy a cheap candle making machine and supplies too. The machine isn't necessary but it does make the whole process easier. Craft stores sell candle scent, wicks and colors too. Your fellow employees will be impressed with your craftiness.

Fancy it up:

Include decorative candle holders. Embellish your candles with cut outs from old Christmas cards

Fruit and nut basket

Food baskets are always a welcome Christmas gift for coworkers. Check to be sure your recipient has no nut allergies before giving this cheap ecofriendly gift. You can buy nuts in the shell by the pound at your local supermarket. Dump them into a pretty basket over fresh seasonal fruit.

Fancy it up:

Toss in a decorative nut cracker or a simple one with a bow around it. I've had my basic metal nutcracker for over 20 years. It's still going strong. Talk about sustainable!

Green your gift wrap

Fabric gift wrap pleases seamstresses.

Enhance your earth friendly lifestyle with creative ideas for gift wrap. Go green by using recyclable and reusable items to wrap presents for special occasions. Going green doesn't have to be boring, plain or ugly. These suggestions are unique and beautiful.

Newspaper as green gift wrap may seem common.

Jazz up this eco friendly gift wrap. Fill spray bottles with a food coloring and water solution in several colors. Go green and colorful by spraying newspaper for a tie dye effect.

Amp it up: Spray an old map with watered down brown acrylic to antique it.

Go green by brown bagging it with style.

A used brown paper bag becomes a work of art. Use rubber stamps, stickers, ribbon and embellishments left over from a scrap booking page, to make a creative gift bag. This gift wrap idea can be re-gifted or recycled as well.

Fabric gift wrap pleases seamstresses.

Go green by wrapping gifts in fabric for people who sew. Re-use old scraps or find a pretty clearance piece. This ecofriendly gift wrap can be turned into a usable item by a gifted seamstress.

Make a shopping/gift bag as reusable wrap.

Make a useful item such as a green shopping bag to use as a gift bag. The recipient will be delighted to get two gifts in one. Fill the shopping bag with green products for the home for a true green living gift.

A gardener might appreciate a gift of seeds in a pot.

Include tools, and other gardening supplies. Tuck them all inside a pretty flower pot. Tie a recycled fabric ribbon around the flower pot to perk it up.

A plant makes a lovely earth friendly gift that needs no wrapping.

The only wrap required is a ribbon and card. Choose a versatile green living plant that can be used indoors or out. For go green sustainability, perennials are best. For the card, use scraps from a children's art project.

Use shredded paper from the office as bag filler.

Reuse this normally wasted resource. Encourage the gift recipient to re-use or recycle the shreds to promote green living.

Make a crazy green gift wrap bow.

Tye random paper shreds together with ribbon. Just line them up on the ribbon at varying lengths. Now take the two ribbon ends and tie a knot around the paper shreds. This eco friendly bow should resemble a burst of fireworks when done.

The best way to go green with gift wrap is to save it.

Open gifts carefully. Save every ribbon, tag, wrap, bag and bow for future use. Green living means using everything to it's full potential. Even after gift wrap has reached it's limit, it may be recyclable.

Green outdoor Christmas decorating

So you want to have a green Christmas? Looking for environmentally friendly outdoor holiday decorations? Some of the best outdoor decorations for the holidays are the ones you make yourself. The right Christmas decor can make wildlife happy too. Saving energy can be fun when do it yourself ideas come into play. Making your own inexpensive decorations is all part of having a wonderful old fashioned holiday season.

Deck your trees

If you have evergreens in your front yard, decorating them for the holidays is a tradition. Why just use any decorations though? How about decorating them for the birds and squirrels? Use old fashioned popcorn chains as inexpensive decorations with an ecofriendly twist. Don't stop there. Hang pine cones filled with peanut butter, orange slices and other fruit as a treat for wildlife. No evergreens? That's OK. You can dress up the bare branches of any tree with these non-electric green decorations for the holidays or any day.

Patchwork Christmas flag

Non-electric decorations are found in stores everywhere. For instance, you can buy flags for any holiday. The problem is, they're not exactly green. Patchwork holiday flags you make yourself send the message that you believe in having a more ecofriendly Christmas. Start with a rectangular piece of an old white sheet. Use old fabric to form a picture, which you can glue or sew to your flag. Now back your picture with a second piece of sheet. Add tabs for hanging. This inexpensive decoration can be washed and reused for a green Christmas every year.

Snowmen

This is about as green as you can get. For some reason, the old tradition of snowman building doesn't seem as popular as it once was. Too bad, because these ecofriendly spontaneous outdoor holiday decorations really show the true spirit of the season. They're handmade by kids out of fun-loving holiday joy. They brighten up your lawn and the faces of everyone they greet. When they melt, they water your lawn, saving energy and water. So get out there and have a little fun with the kids making these inexpensive decorations for your green Christmas. If they melt, do it again!

Recycled wreaths

When I think of outdoor holiday decorations, there's always a welcoming wreath in the picture. You can make recycled wreaths out of a wide variety of materials for a green Christmas. Aluminum pop cans are a great example. They're green, shiny, colorful, nonelectric and completely recyclable. Crush them and string them into a circle by the pop tops. Add a pretty bow and/or some dangling Christmas bells. After the holidays, remove the string. Toss the cans into the recycle bin. Save the bells and bows for next year. Or, save the whole thing. You can't go wrong with these energy saving outdoor holiday decorations.

Go green with recycled Christmas crafts and gifts

Use the old wrap before you buy new

Christmas can be a wasteful proposition or an opportunity to make a difference. Do the world a favor Make this Christmas a low impact holiday. Create lovely, simple Christmas decorations, recycled and up-cycled crafts, gifts, decor and even Christmas cards this year. You might be surprised at how fun these green Christmas craft projects are and how beautiful they turn out.

Christmas cards.

Each year you receive Christmas cards from family and friends. Sure, you display them during the holidays. What becomes of them once the season is over? Don't throw those beautiful cards in the trash. Turn them into green Christmas crafts instead. Buy blank recycled paper cards from the craft store to decorate or use plain paper to make your own. Cut out the beautiful pictures on the cards you received from friends and family last year. Use raised glue dots from the craft store to make 3D designs on unique homemade cards for this year.

Wrapping paper.

Many people save their Christmas wrap to use again next year. It's a great way to have a greener Christmas. Why not take it a step further? Cut designs or simple shapes out of old wrapping paper to make a lovely Christmas mosaic. If you're artistic, this Christmas craft project can form a picture. If not, the random colorful shapes can be glued to recycled cardboard to make a colorful abstract design. Once your creations are done, hang them up as up-cycled holiday art. Frame them if you wish for a more finished look.

Up-cycled fabric scraps.

Can you think of a better Christmas gift than a beautiful handmade quilt? Through the ages, this traditional recycled craft has warmed heart, mind and body. Be sure to do it the old fashioned way for a truly ecofriendly Christmas. Don't buy new fabric for your green quilting project. Anyone who can stitch a straight line can make a Crazy Quilt from random fabric scraps. Sew all shapes and sizes of fabric scraps together. Use squared off pieces for the edge. Stitch your finished quilt top to an old blanket as backing for even more green power.

Up-cycled socks?

Got some well loved, colorful old socks lying around? You know the ones where the toes are full of holes but the upper part of the sock is still good? Why not try this project? Simply cut off the foot of old colorful socks. Hem them using elastic thread and you have a nice pair of leg warmers. Better yet, use several pair. Cut out horizontal sections from several different colors of sock. Sew them together with elastic thread for a striped effect. Nobody will know these gifts are made from old socks unless you tell them.

Recycling Christmas gift bags

Every year after Christmas I purchase pretty Christmas gift bags at 90% off at craft stores. Doing so prevents stores from discarding them at the end of the season. Yes, they do! Isn't that a shame? They're great for wrapping, of course. I also make Christmas gift bag crafts. These are all fun, easy and cheap crafts anyone can make using a re-purposed or clearanced Christmas gift bag.

Holiday door stop

Hold the door open in style this Christmas. Bring in shopping bag after shopping bag without having to open and close the door. The best crafts are quick and simple. Start with a brick and a lunch sack sized Christmas gift bag. Insert the brick into the bag and form fit it like you would when wrapping a gift. Now tape the gift sack onto the brick tightly where the tape won't show. Wrap a pretty ribbon around the gift bag wrapped brick as if it were a Christmas present.

Holiday door stop #2

Here's another clever and simple door stop you can make this year to brighten up your home. Use a pretty medium sized Christmas gift bag with sturdy handles for this crafts project. Fill the sack about ¼ full with play sand. Test the lifting weight. Add pretty ribbon to your Christmas gift bag door stop.Done!

Luminaria

These are always so beautiful at Christmas time. They're even more beautiful when made with a colorful printed gift bag. Trace a simple Christmas shape such as a tree onto the front of your chosen Christmas gift bag near the top of the bag. Cut out the shape. Put about 3-4 inches of sand or clean kitty litter in the bottom of the sack. Place a votive candle in the center of the sack, burying about ½ inch in the sand for stability. Line finished luminaria up on the sidewalk. Light the candles for Christmas.

Notes:

*Save the tree shaped cut-out for card or tag making.
*If you're concerned about fire, use electric tealights instead. Just remember, they're not a green option.

Fancy bag for giving baked goods

Combine a love of crafts with the joy of baking. Make this homespun looking Christmas gift bag to hold the baked goods you make as Christmas gifts. Use a Christmas gift bag with an old fashioned design for this crafts project. Purchase a pack of miniature wooden rolling pins or spoons and some gingerbread cookie cutters from a crafts store. Paint the handles of the rolling pins with red craft paint. Let dry. Dangle cutters and rolling pins/spoons from the handle of the bag using plaid ribbon to match.

Personalized memories gift bag

Make multiple copies of holiday memory photos. Glue onto each Christmas gift bag in memory book fashion. Add embellishments, paper frames, or stickers if you wish. Christmas gift tags can be added right in with the memory design. Add notes on the photos describing the memory and what it meant to you. Direct the comments to the person receiving the gift to make it more personal.

Energy efficient indoor holiday decorating

Looking for energy saving indoor holiday decorating ideas? Look no further than your own two hands. Purchasing store bought “green” decorations just wastes more energy through production and transportation costs. Handmade decorations are a better option. Go green with beautiful candles, wreaths and garlands you make yourself. Recycle everything you make after the holidays. Have a green Christmas by saving energy with these nonelectric decorations you make yourself.

Candles

You can make beautiful candles for the holidays with kits from a craft store. Store bought candles are fine, but why not go completely green? Have an old fashioned holiday. Use GMO free soy wax for these nonelectric lighting options, to make them even greener. Kits contain holiday colors such as red and green and a wide variety of scents. The flickering glow of real candlelight gives your ecofriendly Christmas an old fashioned flair. After the holidays, melt them down and make more for next year.

Do get real with the tree

Although it's true that Christmas trees must be chopped down yearly, they are both fast growing and recyclable. This makes them a renewable resource. These indoor holiday decorations aren't always inexpensive but they can be. Try using a live Christmas tree in a pot that you can re-plant in your yard as landscaping. Talk about a green Christmas. Even cut trees can be turned into mulch for next years garden. Skip the lights. Have an energy efficient Christmas.

Wreaths and garlands

The great thing about using a real tree is that you can shape the trimmed branches into indoor holiday decorations. Nothing is more inexpensive than free. Nonelectric decorations like this are great for saving energy. Making your own wreaths and garlands spreads that fresh pine smell all around the house too, just like your green Christmas tree. These inexpensive decorations are naturally green and environmentally friendly as well. Just like your green Christmas tree, they can be turned into mulch at season's end.

Recycled fabric bows

Nothing brightens up a holiday like colorful fabric bows. Instead of buying them this holiday season, why not make your own? For a green, ecofriendly Christmas use old fabric scraps. Make big bright bows to tie on stair railings, dining room chairs or anywhere you like. These nonelectric decorations will light up your home with old fashioned charm and warmth. They're inexpensive decorations and green too. You can use them year after year. When they start to fade, use the fabric as cleaning rags or recycle it for even more green value.

Simple green gifts for Christmas

Giving a green gift for Christmas is simpler than it sounds. These green Christmas gift ideas are easy to make or buy. They're inexpensive and uncomplicated. Use recycled items from your home for most of the green gift ideas suggested here. You will have to purchase the last two but they'll last for years of green gift making.

Seed paper

This is recycled paper, embedded with seeds for easy planting. Simply use shredded newspaper blended with a slight amount of water to make a pulp. Cover a baking sheet with foil or saran wrap and roll the pulp onto it evenly. Place the seeds into the pulp 2-3 inches apart. Now let the whole thing dry in the sun. Gently peel the paper off. Cut into squares for planting. Tuck each seed paper square into a starter size clay pot. Include a paper bag of soil to complete your green Christmas gift.

Crazy quilt throw

Simply sew together fabric scraps leftover from various projects. The idea is to be as random as possible and not use any new fabric. Try to end with a square shape. Take the square and put it face to face with a piece of inexpensive fleece from a fabric or craft store. Sew it together on three sides then turn right side out. Now tuck the fleece and quilt piece under on the remaining side and sew together.

Recycled candle

Melt old crayon and candle pieces together in a double boiler. Leave some in chunks for a colorful effect. Add candle scent if you wish. Pour into prepared jar to make a new candle. Prepare jar by sticking a wick holder with wick to the bottom of the jar with a teeny bit of wax. Keep the wick straight while pouring wax, by wrapping the opposite end around a pencil laid across the top of the jar. When your green Christmas gift candle is set it's ready for gift giving.

Glass bottle cutter

This handy gadget makes a useful green Christmas gift. Recipients can make used soda or other bottles into drinking glasses, vases or other glass containers by cutting around them and sanding down the edge with sandpaper. Leftover flat glass can be used for glass mosaic objects.

Aluminum can crusher

Not everyone has the space to collect aluminum cans for recycling. This green Christmas gift is for the apartment dweller who wants to do their part by recycling aluminum cans. Simply rinse and crush the cans. They'll fit in a small waste container until ready to be taken to the recycling center. Add a waste can and biodegradable plastic bags to make this green Christmas gift complete.