Giving Efficiency
With the holiday rush starting earlier and earlier every year, get a jump-start on your shopping wish list with some great green gifts. Using these tips, you can have everything wrapped up before the ho, ho, ho turns into go, go, go!
Why give efficiency?
Green giving is thoughtful on many levels. The person receiving the gift has a new gadget to use that keeps long-term electric costs low year-round.
“Choosing a green gift can be easy,” says Brian Sloboda, senior program manager for the Cooperative Research Network. “Be aware of energy use. Look for any mention of energy ratings on large appliances and televisions, or select unplugged gifts. Think solar, reusable and recyclable. Even something as small as the packaging and wrapping can make a difference.”
Look for items with lightweight packaging. And think about wrapping your gift in something like a fabric bag that can be reused or even an accessory like a scarf to tie things up.
There are many options when you start looking for green gifts. Get creative, and remember that what you give impacts future electric bills. So give the green light on energy-smart gifts this year!
Green Gift Ideas to Consider:
For decorators:
LED Christmas lights ($15-$35) These energy-efficient lights are becoming easier to find. They save on high holiday electric bills and stay cool to the touch. For a festive complete package, wrap in a decorative stocking.
For gardeners:
Solar garden lights ($15-$50)
Available in endless colors, styles, and sizes, solar garden lights can be a lovely addition to your favorite green thumb’s garden. To up the green quotient, wrap in a burlap bag.
For movie buffs or sports fans:
ENERGY STAR-rated TV (price based on size) Televisions are getting bigger and better. But before you give something that uses as much electricity as a refrigerator, look for the ENERGY STAR label. It will offer the smallest impact on your electric bills possible.
For cooks:
Toaster oven ($60-$140)
Especially great for the empty nester or those only cooking for one or two, toaster ovens are a good choice to save energy as an alternative to heating a large standard oven.
For techies:
Smart strip ($20-$40)
This new cutting-edge technology is great for plugging in electronic gadgets. Not your average power strip, smart strips sport designated outlets that make it easy to power down certain devices to save energy while not affecting others plugged into the same strip.
Solar cell phone charger ($55-$100-plus) — Help unplug energy-sucking chargers from the wall; solar chargers can be placed in a window to charge a cell phone or other devices like a GPS unit or even MP3 players anywhere the sun shines, even in a car on-the-go!
Kelly Trapnell writes on writes on safety and energy efficiency issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
