Climate change has become an increasingly hot topic in recent years.
Today, we are encouraged to "go green," whether that means using less of the Earth's non-renewable resources or leaving a smaller carbon footprint.
One simple way to do your part in living lightly on our earth is to give eco-friendly gifts.
Birthdays, religious holidays and events, anniversaries--it seems we use any excuse we can to give or exchange gifts.
Add "just thinking of you" gifts to the mix and you could easily be constantly on the prowl for a gift that shows you care.
But for your environmentally conscious friends, finding that perfect gift isn't always so easy.
Eco gifts are a smart way to not only to do your part to help the environment, but also to make sure you are giving your friends what they really want.
One of the biggest trends in going green is to BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag.
I made the mistake of not bringing a bag to a local farmers' market once, only to suffer shocked stares from the vendors and to be forced to carry my apples home in my coat pockets.
Save your friends from similar embarrassment by presenting them with their own reusable shopping bags.
Double your eco-friendly efforts by buying bags made of organic cotton, linen, or hemp fibers.
These materials are durable, renewable, and biodegradable, which is something you can't say about traditional plastic grocery sacks.
Whether used weekly for groceries or for everyday outings, these bags are a great gift that contributes to the global effort of helping the environment, which your environmentally conscious friends will appreciate.
If you are looking for great environmentally sound gift ideas but are on a tight budget, gifts from the heart will always be in style and eco friendly.
Excellent heartfelt and eco gift ideas include gifts of time, service, or expertise; handwritten letters; a box of mementos and photos; or a donation to your recipient's favorite charity.
Whatever the occasion, add meaning to your gifts by making sure your giving is green.