Eco-Friendly Christmas Cards

the card is from etsy and the picture is from the amazing and talented Jenny GG

At this moment in the year, we start shopping for our Christmas card. Many of us send each other Christmas cards to wish friends peace and joy, to celebrate the holidays, and to show off their family in totally not posed pictures of family togetherness. I can joke, but I am as guilty as anyone of sending these cards and being so happy to receive them. It is equally nice to be wished happiness and to see how happy people I care about are. Christmas cards may be cheesy, but they are also awesome.

Even better, if you are trying to have a more eco-friendly holiday season, then the Christmas cards create a pretty obvious opportunity to make some positive changes! This is an opportunity to save trees, that keep our Earth cooler, our air cleaner, and our view prettier.

Think about how many trees must go down for all that holiday cheer in the mail- probably more worth it than the trees that come down for toilet paper. But if you can celebrate the holidays by being a steward and preserving God's creation, why wouldn't you do it? If the holiday really isn't about consumerism, we need to approach it with the spirit of stewardship first.

I know I as a Christian think even more about my role as a steward this time of year- how can I approach giving gifts in a way that pleases God? If giving gifts to each other is a symbolic repetition of God giving us the gift of his son, how can we do it in a way that takes care of his creation? Those questions resonate even when the gift is as small as a card.\

If you want to be a good steward this Christmas, recycled cards make so much sense. You can save trees from being cut down while still sending your love to others. The answer here is simple, though it might cost you more money.

The good news? Recycled card options are EVERYWHERE, they just may not be where you would look first. Skip Shutterfly and Tiny Prints. Tiny prints weirdly comes up when you search for eco-friendly Christmas cards, but they aren't, so that is an infuriating scam. They don't use any recycled paper as far as I can see. That being said, so many other places do.

Let's do this, people! Enough of these virgin tree shenanigans:

Green Field Paper Co

Green Field Paper Co is now my first stop for paper good browsing. Not only do they have great designs, they also feature more types of eco-friendly statonary than anyone. When you see just how many creative and eenviromentaly responsible options are out there, it's hard not to question why all paper companies don't try this route.My favorite- cards specifically made out of recycled junk mail! That is genius. All the other cars need to step it up. They also have plantable cards, ornaments, and gift cards (these are made of recycled paper and have seeds in them- bonus, they are all made in San Diego). Seriously, look here before you buy a box of cards anywhere else.

Paper Culture

Paper Culture is another gem- a perfect first stop if you want a cheesy/wonderful photo card (don't be ashamed; I love them too). Paper Culture recognizes their carbon footprint, and they try to offset it by using 100% post-consumer paper for their cards and by planting a tree for every order they sell. The Arbor Day Foundation does it for every card (so significantly more depending on your order), but these cards gave a little more design to them and have photocard options, so they may better fit your vision. Their designs vary from bright and busy to minimalist and chic, so you are sure to find something you like. Plus, they don't cost any more than those photo cards from Tiny Prints. How did we not all know about this before?!

Minted

 I have a lot of loyalty for Minted cards; we got our save the dates and birth announcements from them, and their cards always look great and modern. They are pretty comparably priced to Tiny Prints, just a little more expensive, but they offer 100% recycled paper for 15 dollars more. To me, that's worth it, and I will just buy fewer cards to cover the cost.

 Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation sells 100% recycled "Give a Tree" paper cards as a fundraiser. Every card you buy puts money towards planting trees, so not only are you preventing more trees from coming down, you are also helping plant more! I love this idea so much, though I can't really say that the designs are anything to get excited about (some designer- volunteer your time). Definitely less stylish, but think, if you did this every year at Christmas, how many trees you could help plant in a lifetime. What a sweet addition to your holiday traditions.

Etsy

We all knew I was going to say it- you still have time to buy your cards from etsy, so you can start with this search to find eco-friendly options on there as well.

A Few Other Thoughts to Keep Things Eco-Friendly (No matter where you buy)

Skip the Foil- Foil pressed cards are really pretty, and they are super popular right now. Skip them. You can't recycle them and they won't biodegrade.

Buy Less- Pick a smaller than regular number to send and just don't send them to those people on the list that feel like a stretch. It can make a big difference to just cut down your numbers to the people you really care about.

Above all, Save the Trees- With so many recycled paper options out there, it really doesn't make sense to send a card on virgin tree paper.

That's it! Christmas is kicked off and I will have a ton of ideas for how to make tiny changes to your Christmas plans that will have a big impact on the Earth. Have specific questions? Let me know and we will try to address them. In the meantime, check out the Christmas lists from last year on The Giant List of Shopping Lists.

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Green Christmas: A Traveler's Wishlist

This is one of the Christmas lists from last year, but all of the links are updated and on point. I still think Paige's list has lots of great ideas on it! Plus, now she travels for work all of the time, so the description fits her better than ever. 

Paige Greene is an adventurer. She has traveled to see us in California and Seattle, and I love to hear about her adventures. Paige has noticed some things about her trips though:

"I realized that when I travel, I am basically an eco-terrorist. My goal is always to take things with me that I can throw away or leave behind so I have more space in my suitcase; hopefully on my next trip I can avoid that practice and just learn to use the space I have."

I love that she is thinking about this, because I am trying to figure it out as well! Paige put some awesome gift ideas for travelers like her on her Christmas gift list:

Re-useable Travel Bottles
Headphones
Packing Cubes
Luggage Tags
Walking Shoes
Ostrich Pillow

I love her ideas, and I think a lot of these suggestions would make perfect Christmas gifts that the receiver can enjoy over and over again. As per usual, Paige will do a good chunk of the talking, and I will chime in.

Bottles for Shampoo, Body Wash, Etc.- "Usually I end up buying cheap plastic ones at a dollar store (almost always made in China) and then I throw them away at the end of my trip. I know there are some silicon ones out there that look pretty nice. The cuter the better, because if they’re actually worth something than I won’t feel like I need to throw it away! Bonus points if I can put them in the dish washer."

My Ideas- First of all, Paige, I have obsessed over this same issue! I get why we use tiny bottles when we travel, but those tiny bottles create so much pointless waste. Why not get something refillable and just put in the shampoo you already like and use? And why don't hotels put in the pumps rather than those tiny obnoxious bottles? We can do better!

from amazon

There are plenty of great options- these ones look the cutest to me. I love the bright colors (that can help keep the different contents straight) and the wide openings, so no one has to waste bunch of time trying to get the shampoo back out. There is plenty of variation on this basic setup, and I am willing to guess most come from the same factory. It's not a perfect solution, but if a person uses these instead of travel shampoos every trip, I think the plastic saved would be perfect. This one is called a Vital Travel Buddy, and they come in cooler colors.

We actually got a set of these last year for Christmas (as did Paige) and they have turned out pretty handy? We brought them with us on a big trip, and it was too long for them to last the whole time. I would recommend traveling with them inside a bag (we use biobags) in case the hard top pops off the soft body. It happened to us once, so learn for our foolishness.

Eco Tools makes travel bottles out of recycled plastic, which makes a lot of good sense to me, though they would be harder to squeeze, and how would you differentiate one from another? When you gift these, maybe do it with some stickers to add on!

The Boy bought me these for my stocking last year. They are awesome. Definitely recommend if you are going this route.

If you use hard soaps and shampoos (I have been working on this), you can also get Go Tubbs which are completely recyclable and hopefully keeps you from the tiny dove soaps and all that packaging.

from amazon

Headphones- "This is more an ethical issue I have than an environmental one. I would like a nice, sturdy pair of headphones that can cancel jet-noise (I am somehow always right by the engine). Who is making American-made headphones that aren’t ridiculously overpriced?"

My Ideas- I recently bought 2 different pairs of headphones that use less plastic and more Earth-friendly materials. The big winners turned out to be House of Marley headphones, which are made of FSC wood, recycled plastic, and recyclable materials. They even come with really smart storage pockets (especially for travel). They are pretty dodgy about where they are manufactured (it looks like China?), so I am not super optimistic about that, but they seem to me to be the best of a bunch of junky options. The on-ear option is also gorgeous to look at, and they make it with eco-friendly materials.

We also tried Symphonized NRG headphones as well, but I thought House of Marley came out as the winner.

For long flights, SleepPhones look like the most comfortable option for headphones, and they consist of all recycled materials!

Packing Cubes- "Because an organized traveler is a happy traveler. Plus, this is one more tool to help avoid the end-of-trip-purge."

from Ouch Pouch Shoppe

My Ideas- I honestly had pretty bad luck trying to find packing cubes made of recycled material or even made in the US, but I am not giving up! Blue Ridge Overland Gear sells eco-friendly packing cubes all made in the US, so they are the big winner! Beckel Canvas Products makes some luggage pieces that I think would work well for this purpose as well.

I did find tons of great travel pouches, which I think could definitely make a traveler both happy and organized. I would suggest Ouch Pouch Shoppe as a first stop, because you can get tons of variation in size to find what works for you. The other really great place to start looking is Maptote, who has pouches in all sorts of sizes. Some are pretty sweet and cute, like this floral pouch. I like these simple pouches from Archival Clothing (I like all their bags, but the pouches help in this case).

from rockcycleonline

from Off Chutes

Luggage Tags- "To replace the cheap plastic ones the study abroad office hands out to freshmen." 

My Ideas- This is such a fun Christmas gift, because you can find any luggage tag out there! Small, practical, and you can find one that perfectly fits the traveler in your life that you love. I have two I love so much (and are both recycled!) that I can't decide which I would pick- this glamorous Michael Bolton tag (I can hear him singing about Captain Jack Sparrow) from rockcycleonline and these bright, eye-catching (which is important!) geometric tags from Off Chutes. 

from Wanderlust Woodworks

You can also buy leather tags from RSVP Handcrafted, Holtz Leather, and Wanderlust Woodworks (this one reminds me of Paige). This one is made of recycled wood. You can even get tags made out of sailboat sails! Don't see one that fits? No problem! There are tons on Etsy to browse through.

Shoes- "Toms are great, but they don’t have a lot of support. I need something that doesn’t scream “tourist” but still has the comfort of a tennis shoe."

My Ideas- I feel like a good walking shoe that doesn't look like a tennis shoe is a pretty wide category, and it can be tough, but I did find a few options. I can't vouch for the long term comfort of these beyond the reviews, but you know what works for you (or you can ask the traveler in your life).

Toms are beloved by people who have them, and their one for one arangement is pretty cool, but they are criticized for not using fair trade labor practices. If you want some casual shoes with more developed and ethical approaches to their factories, I would suggest Oliberte or Sole Rebels. Check out their Urban Runners. Natural World prioritizes eco-friendly shoes as well.

from zappos

The Munro American is mostly a work shoe, and I think the black looks that way, but I like the maroon color. If it can stand up to a long work day, it can probably stand up to a long walking tour too!

If you want to do something a little more girly, I did find Made in the USA ballerina flats. Tic Tac Toes makes plain leather flats that look adorable and i bet would greatly outlast all those pairs I used to buy at Payless (oh Payless cheap shoes, I really will miss you).

Frye's American-made shoes are mostly known for their boots, but they do sell a few designs of lace up leather shoes that might be a grown up alternative to the Chucks that a grown man could wear all the time. Still has a slightly playful feel, but a little more mature for sure. Again, not cheap, but they are leather not canvas, so they will probably last a lot longer

As a side note, if you are the kind of person who wants some straight up walking or tennis shoes, shop New Balance! They are the only athletic shoe company that still manufactures in the United States, so the shoes haven't traveled long distances. They have had some weird moments politically lately, so I feel a little split, but if you believe in American manufacturing, they are your shoe. These ones are so ugly I find it endearing. I imagine them with a 1980's power suit.

Ostrich Pillow- "I can’t believe there isn’t someone on etsy making these! I don’t care how dorky they look. If I’m on a red eye, I will do whatever it takes to get some sleep."

from 6sqft.com

My Ideas- Whoa, Paige. You actually use this? I had to look it up, and I feel I am appropriately horrified/ filled with awe and respect. You do you. I also don't understand how the hand part helps. But I also agree, sleep is always worth silliness. That being said, I can't find anything like this on etsy (or anywhere else for that matter), but I did find one gem of a travel pillow.

from biomed design

This biomed design travel pillow doesn't have the pizzazz of an Ostrich pillow, but it does promise cervical support, and whose cervix couldn't use a little more support? Bonus points for weirdness. It also does look pretty comfy and might support your head a few different ways because of its shape, so it has some flexibility depending on how your traveler likes to sleep.

A Few More Gift Ideas for the Traveler in your Life

from Push Pin Travel Maps

Travel Maps- I think this gift idea kicks ass. When you love to travel, you are always plotting your next trip and reminiscing about trips before. I love these pushpin maps, that a traveler can put up on their wall to track where they've been and dream of where they will go next. If you have a traveler, domestic or international, I think this is a perfect gift for them. My favorite are Kristin Douglas Art maps, which are fun to scratch off and look absolutely beautiful. She is one of my Etsy favorites.

This map, from Push Pin Travel Maps, has that super fun side, but it also comes in more subdued, adult colors. I think it might make a perfect combination to have up on a wall. I also LOVE this flat, graphic version from Rasure Prints LLC in black and an "adventure awaits" white version from Paper Planes Prints. Map Republic sells a brighter, more playful version. JW Designs has a really wide variety to choose from too.

Luggage- Yes, It's perhaps on the obvious side, but if the person you love has a bag on its last legs, you might be able to ease it into retirement. Luggage, as a rule, is crazy expensive, but it is also almost always in thrift shops. You might be able to find a bag that only needs a teeny bit of coaxing to be awesome.

from Tough Traveler

If you can't find anything on that level used (or you are looking for a big spender type gift), you can also find every option you would need made in the US. For large duffels and rolly bags, you can get great options from Tough Traveler (I bought one of these bags as a gift a few years ago, and I think it went over pretty well). Filson sells all sorts of American-made bags (roller and duffle) at a higher price point. If you want to have a heart attack or you discovered gold in your backyard, check out the rolling luggage from Ghurka.

For travel bags and duffle bags (like a carry on), Equinox sells sportier eco-friendly duffles between 40 and 100 dollars. Duluth Pack also sells  gorgeous duffel travel bags and garment bags. Wood and Faulk makes leather and canvas duffle bags and totes- on the steep side, but they might be great if you just want one very reliable bag to keep forever. 

From millscanvas

For travel backpacks and small totes  (a personal item), I love these "flight bags" from Wm J Mills Canvas. It's 140, so not cheap, but you can poke around and find some other bags as well. Backpacks from Topo Designs in Denver, Colorado come in around the same price point, but it might be just what your seasoned traveler needs. I also love the Chester Wallace backpacks and totes, which are handmade in Portland, Oregon and look tough enough to withstand lots of travel. Duluth Pack sells travel packs as well.

Lens Sleeves- If someone travels with a nice camera, this gift could help them keep their lenses clean while in transit. Simple idea, but it makes a big difference! 

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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60 Green Stocking Stuffers for Kids

In my family, we make amazing Christmas stockings (or Santa does). We take gifting very seriously, but I didn't realize how good my Dad is at this very particular type of giving until I was an adult. The key is to use magazine to make the whole thing taller and to have lots of silly things in the stocking.

 I love a great stocking, so even though the plan is to cut down the gift-buying in our household by A LOT, I would never cut the stocking. In fact, this year my plan is to do no more than four gifts and a stocking. That's it.

For kids, you can fill a stocking with cute little toys and treats that might be surprise hits for the holiday. I try to master that balance between cheap but practical items like socks or nail clippers (my Mother in Law's genius addition every year) and super fun kitschy items (usually random finds at target).

I stand by this equation, but the problem here is that when you are hanging out in the "cheap junk" aisle at Target, you certainly aren't being a good steward. That stuff is often so cheap because it is made somewhere where the person making it is treated very poorly. It's often made of plastic, and it has traveled a long way, wasting fossil fuels, for basically no reason. So triple whammy against my beloved stocking stuff. So I have started to approach it a new way.

Last year, I tried to do this, and I had a lot of successes. I am pretty sure we still took a last minute run to Target to fill out the goodies. Having done this once already, I am confident that isn't necessary, and I am pretty excited to do an all-ethical stocking this year.

Even better, I don't have to break the bank. Everything on this list is under 15 dollars! 

 One of the most common complaints lodged against Eco-friendly and Made in America Products is that they are too expensive, so people only think about greener options when they will make a BIG difference! But anyone's who has ever been on a successful diet can tell you, small changes can make the largest difference if you stick with them! So maybe this isn't the same super cheap, kitschy toy that lined our stockings before, but you can find equally fun, strange, and hilarious stuff without ever feeling like an eco-terrorist. Even a few switches out can make a big impact!

You can find toys that are plenty affordable made right here in the US. I am excited to try to load that sock with gifts that do good but don't break the bank.

Three Steps to an Awesome Kids Stocking

1. Get Things Used- I have never bought Christmas gifts used before, but I am going for it this year, especially with our Bub, who could care less whether something is new or used. My favorite for this is the mixed toy bags at Goodwill. We already bought most of the Bub's filler with two bags of Duplos. Why do people buy duplos new?

I can find so many cute toys in consignment stores, not to mention practical things like socks or hats! If you spend 2 dollars on a little toy or stuffed animal you can clean, that beats anything you will buy new! A trip to a kids consignment store or Goodwill can check off most of your boxes immediately.

2. Buy American, Eco-friendly, or Fair Trade- THIS. This change in priorities can ripple out to make a better world for the kid you fill the stocking for. That's more important than anything you can give. Look at the challenge to find these things as fun instead of intimidating- this is why we start early!

3. Re-think your Regular Candy Choices- This deserves its own post, but you might try to support some local candy before you do the same old from Hershey's (I want to love them, but I just can't anymore). You can find cool stuff right under your nose! Chocolate is an especially hot button topic for treats, so check with your local candy store and think about buying some fair trade chocolate.

Alright, let's get to the links-

I am coming up with a shorthand so you can get the information you want fast. This is the key:
The key- USA= Made in the USA, GU= Get this Used, EF- Eco-Friendly, R=Recycled Materials, Fair Trade= FT

I wouldn't expect anyone to buy everything on this list, but the key is to notice you have TONS of options. You can get anything- from super fun to completely practical- made ethically, in the United States, and with good stewardship for the environment!

Bath Toys

1. Bath Crayons (USA)- BeeUtifully Organic makes organic bath crayons that will make such for such a fun time! I want to play with these. Messy Play Kits or Krazy Kool Kits sell bath crayons too.

from Lotsaduck

2. Rubber Duckies (USA)- Everyday when I make my way to the tubbie! I find a little fellow who's cute and yellow and chubby! Lotsaduck is based out of Pittsburgh and has all sorts of adorable rubber duckies- sadly, they are closing, but you can get a good deal there right now. Celebriducks has a line of Made in the USA ducks (a little on the nose with the signage though). We bought The Bub the very simple yellow version, and it continues to be a big hit.

from Cozy Chipmunk

3. Washcloths and Puppets (USA)- These Huggable Hoots puppets look super cute and you can stuff them into a stocking easily. It might be a perfect combination of fun and practical. I also love this simple Crocodile washcloth. You can also try Granny's Craftiness or Stockings by Pat.

If you are crafty (and quick), there are some great patterns on Etsy for this kind of thing as well.

from Southern Skye Beauty

4. Fun bars of Soap (USA) - I get that soap as a gift sounds lame, but I think cool soap could be a big hit.  My favorites are these dinosaur soaps from Southern Skye Beauty. I also found mermaid soap, bath crayon soap, game controllers (check out this whole shop- looks cool!), lego soap, and because the world is wonderful macaroni and cheese soap.

Begin Again on Amazon

5. Begin Again Bathtub Toys (EF)- These bath toys are made of rubber, so no plastic, and they are dishwasher safe to make it easy on you. Also, the deep sea diver is just cool. The company is based out of Fort Collins Colorado, but I am not convinced they are actually made there.

For the Especially Little People

from the ivy lantern

6. Bibs (USA)- Your baby is so smart. But not smart enough to be disappointed when you just buy a bunch of things you need and stuff it in a stocking for their first Christmas. Bibs make for a perfect bottom layer (since it's probably too soon for candy).  Swaddle Designs makes cute inexpensive ones as well. If you want to do something a little more trendy, these super cute (and usefully neutral) bandana bibs from The Ivy Lantern. There are about 4 million bibs on Etsy so you can find what you want, but here is another long list to browse- Organic Mama Design, The Pleated Petal, Le Petite Birdie, and Bananas Boutique.

7. Feeder (USA)- These chewy feeders are so helpful when you start baby on solids or when they start to teeth (ice or frozen fruit inside and let them gnaw). May not be a regular purchase, but a nice little splurge for a stocking!

from amazon

8. First Set of Keys (R, EF, USA)- Both Green Toys and Re-play sell sets of all recycled plastic key rings. The Bub loves his; they are really good to shake. These are pretty cheap, made in the USA, and use recycled materials; I don't understand why anyone would buy other sets!

9. Jumbo Beads (USA)- Another Classic for babies, this Holgate toy helps them string beads and work on that hand eye coordination. This has been made here in the US since 1948! Also, it is awesome for an airplane time-passing toy.

10. Link Toys (USA)- Boomering Links are a perfect toy for anybody under 2. Simple often entertains them longer, and these links can easily be thrown in a purse, brought on a plane, or strewn through a car seat. Great toy and super cheap.

11. Onesies (USA)- You could get a funny or special onesie you might not splurge on otherwise.  My favorites are from Honest Elements and Jam Jam Jams. I love this Parks and Rec one from Baby Swag (out of Butler,PA!), but you should poke around on Etsy and get something that makes you smile or laugh. You can also check out buggy and bubba, Little Jonesies, and The Little Stork.

from Little Sidekick

12. Soft Blocks (USA)- Tactile soft blocks give the baby a well-rounded sensory experience. My bub loved toys like these, but you can get ones for the same amount as in the stores on Etsy, and you will be supporting a local maker instead of a big corporation. Woot! Arrows and Olives Baby sells cost-effective and pretty ones. My favorite are these high contrast ones from Little Sidekick, because those black and white patterns will totally catch a little one's eye. More options? Try Burgandy Bee Handmade,

13. Spoons and Forks (R, USA)- Yeah, this may not seem like the most fun, but you can buy one of the Green Eats sets (or just the spoons!) that will last you for years and they will fit perfectly in a stocking (and a diaper bag). Plus, my 2 year old would say forks and spoons are the most fun toys in the whole world. He loves playing with them.

from little sapling toys

14. Teether (USA, EF)- You have about a billion choices here, so you can get something really cool.  Lifefactory's teethers have been staples in our house when the baby was teething (and he just likes touching the different patterns as well). I would recommend these teethers to anyone. You can teach geography and chewing with Little Sapling Toy's state-shaped teethers, which are basically the coolest thing I've seen. I love these Feltman and Co. ones as well. Begin Again's simple teething ring wins awards and parents' love, so this might make a great gift for your little person! They won't be toothless forever! Manzanita Toys is guaranteed to have something you will love as well.

With Baby Two, I am pretty obsessed with black and white, high contrast stuff, because they really can enjoy it more. I like the cloth bunny teethers in black and white- Kadydid Designs, Pippa Ollie, and Baby Sprouts Co.

from Mom N Daughter Creation

15. Toy and Pacifier Strap (USA)- When your bub is little, you lose toys and cups all the time, they are always throwing them or dropping them, so I think the toy strap makes a lot of sense. I like the name bottle  leash too, so funny! I like this toy strap best, because it is so smart and makes so much sense. Good job Mom N Daughter Creation! Etsy has plenty of options- Henley's Headbands, The Chipped Cup, The Stitched Co, Fawn and Finn, and Clover and Birch.

16. Pacifiers (USA)- Why not just buy things that you actually need? Spoiler alert, your baby will not remember or comprehend their first Christmas, even if they are a whip of a baby. Really you should fill their stocking with cake for you. Some Nuk silcon pacifiers were made here, and they have glowing reviews.The Philips Avent Soothies are made in the US, and they were the only ones we had any luck with

17. Mittens and Hats- Great gifts and fit perfectly in a stocking. Kudos to you if you can make them yourself. My favorite are these mittens using recycled fabric from Gypsy and Lolo.

18. Car Seat Toys- I love these hanging jellyfish. Something for them to swat at.

Fun and Creative

19. Clay (USA)- Sculpey Clay became one of my favorites in my time teaching art to kids. It doesn't dry out easily, so they have time to fiddle, and if they make something they want to keep, you can set it in the oven. You can get packs in all different sizes, including small ones that might fit in a stocking.

from amazon

20. Colored Pencils (R)- I love these colored pencils made out of recycled newspaper instead of wood (they have a mini size for little fingers). They come in cute tubes that would fit perfectly in a Christmas sock!

21. Coloring Books (USA,R)- Not all are made in the USA, so always check, but many still are. You can get ones that are recycled and even teach your kid about environmentalism! This one is my favorite- so cute! My new favorite doing research this year is Wee Gallery's How to Dress a Fox (they have 5 different animals to choose from). These books are so cute, and they are made of recycled paper and soy ink- win! They sell recycled coloring murals too.

This doodle book looks really fun and different as well. This can be a perfect way to work in your little one's favorite character- Barbie, Anna and Elsa, Hello Kitty, Etsy has plenty too, from hymn lyrics to cutesy owls. My dad uses these and magazines to wrap around in the stocking to make it taller/ able to hold even more stuff. I kid you not, he's the master.

from Extra Money for Mommy

22. Crayons (USA,R)- Did you know you can get crayons in any shape ever? Any shape? And they are recycled from all those nubbins you would just throw away? You can get them in your kid's name, seashells, Chocolate Bars, dinosaurs, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I love these eco-friendly crayons too, because they are completely biodegradable. You could also try Honey Sticks which are made of beeswax.

As an aside, when you are in the aisle with the crayons trying to make a pick, Crayola is actually probably your best bet. Stay away from the other brands, most are made overseas. Plus, Crayola is never that much more expensive. So just remember to go with Crayola if you are doing your shopping in Target.

23. Lacing Toys (USA)- Mama Made Them makes sweet whale lacing toys that might be the perfect start for a future sewer. Animal ones like this elephant are fun as well. Maple Landmark also has a set of wooden lacing toys.

from ordinary artists

24. Little Notebooks (USA)- Is there anything with more possibility than a fresh new notebook? I love these little ones from Ordinary Artists that would make perfect stocking stuffers. My beloved Decomposition Books, made from recycled paper and soy ink in the US, would be perfect as well. The Bub loves the little drawings they have on the cover and inside. If your kid is cool or manly, Field Notes has notebook sets as well.

25. Markers (USA, R)- I love Crayola. They actually collect old dried up markers and put them back into use again in their simple marker sets. I love that. I will give them all of my marker budget (larger than you might imagine) forever. Out of the box, perfect fit for a stocking. 

26. Stickers and Temporary Tattoos (USA)- Somebody has Frozen fever? Ok, everyone does. Something about those sisters. If your bub loves Frozen but you don't want to ship your money to China, look into these stickers or these ones.  They can be creative, spice up stuff the kiddo's already own, and many are still made in the US! I have also seen princess and Sofia the First stickers made here.

from Pretty Tape

27. Washi Tape (USA)- I feel like I would have loved these as a kid, and its another gift you could use to spruce up anything! These are fun and different, and open up lots of avenues for creative play that you can still pick up. These mint green ones are adorable.

28. Finger Paint (USA)- I bought finger paint at our local toy store that was made in the US. Simple and fun,

Fun Little Things

from Pearl and Violet

29. Bookmarks (USA, R)- Let's encourage that reading with fun bookmarks! My absolute favorites are from Pearl and Violet, because you can get your favorite characters poking out of your new favorite book! Owl makes bookmarks you can put pictures in out of recycled leather. If you are looking for something you can personalize, or maybe encourage your kids to gift, these plain Made in the USA bookmarks could be decorated to look amazing. Peggy's Passions makes spoon bookmarks that are so cute and can be personalized. My last favorite are Ryan Sheffield's author bookmarks.

from Ornaments 4 Charity

30. Christmas Ornaments (USA)- It would be kind of a cool tradition to put an ornament in their stocking each year that has to do with their year, then they can hang it on the tree. If you want ones made in the USA that also do good, Ornaments 4 Charity (which seems to be one amazing family) makes adorable lego ornaments and gives 100% of the proceeds to charity. So awesome!

I love this little hedgehog one as well, but you can find so many Made in the USA ornaments on Etsy.

31. Dinosaurs(USA)- The USA company that makes little green soldiers also makes dinosaur plastic toys. I personally like the Galaxy Laser Team better.

from Adopt an Alien

32. Key Chains (USA)- I love these Adopt an Alien ones, and I remember really enjoying them as a kid, despite not having any keys.  These squid ones are adorable too. Cookies and popsicles, too! You can find it all.

33. Henna Stencils and Temporary Tattoos (USA)- These are in, and they look like so much fun. You can bring any character in through these things, and you can find lots of adorable ones. Is it inappropriate to give children tattoos? I don't know, but I would put one on my child, so lucky boy.

from Treasured FC

34. Wooden Smart Phones (USA)- These teethers are hilarious, and I think the wooden smart phone might make a great imaginative toy as well.

35. Magic Wands (USA)- I actually think these simple wood magic wands look really pretty and chic unfinished, but decorating them with markers might be fun? Or you can just get to casting spells right away.

Learning Toys

36. Cards (USA)- Bicycle Standard Cards are made here in the US. Classics. Perfect gift for an older child? Time to start learning magic tricks.

37. Puzzles (GU, USA)- You could get puzzles at basically any level and then put them in the stocking broken up. This seems especially cool, because they wouldn't know what they were putting together! This is one you can definitely find in consignment stores for kids, but there are some made in the USA Maple Lamdmark makes a bunch, including this bulldozer, around 15 dollars. For older kids, you can do one of these giant floor puzzles made of recycled materials in the US. For even older kids, you can find puzzles made of all recycled materials- a California map or this Wonderous Ocean One.

38. Sandwich Stackers (R, USA)- I worked briefly at a Chrildren's Museum that had these Green Toys Sandwich Toys, and I couldn't believe just how much the kids loved them from toddlers to older kids playing restaurant.  I think they might fit a stocking perfectly and be that toy you didn't expect to be a hit, but they play with them all the time. So simple. So genius.

39. Spinny Spellers (USA)- These wood toys help new readers to play with letters and words. You can get critter ones for the smaller set.

Soft and Cuddly

from the marmalade forest

40. Eggs and Bacon Octopus (USA)- I love this breakfast monster so much. I am not sure a child would love it, but I would love you for buying this for your child.

41. Pocket Tidbits (USA)- Don't write these little crocheted balls off too quickly. You can also buy them little outfits, so this one may be a huge hit.

42. Safety Cones (USA)- Etsy, you give me faith in the universe. Thank you for these Plush Engineer safety cones.

43. Sloth Plushies (USA)- Because I hear sloths are the meaning of Christmas. I kid, but these are cute. Also from Plush Engineer, because this store is a treasure.

from Anns Craft House

44. Soft Game Controller (USA)- Another winner. The Boy is already training The Bub to sit and use the other controller while he plays. I am sure that's not developmentally sound, but these soft versions are cute.

45. Stuffed Elephant, Bunny, or Zebra (FT,R)- These little stuffed animals are exceptionally cute, and they help support women get good jobs in Malawi. Another cute little way to do good with your Christmas shopping!

from Fuzzigles

46. Puffy Balls of Awesome (USA)-  If I were buying stuffed animals for my kids for Christmas, these Fuzzigles are what I would (actually, probably will) pick. It's hard to pick a favorite.

Stuff that Moves

from amazon

47. Elephant on Wheels (EF, R, USA)- Made out of recycled plastic milk jugs (and saving TONS of energy. I didn't even realize how much), this Green Toy on wheels could be a perfect gift for someone without great hand eye dexterity (I love the pig and turtle as well). A good second Christmas stocking stuffer.

48.  Matchbox Cars (USA)- Bad news, Hot Wheels are not great for the environment, much like their regular-sized car counterparts. That doesn't mean you can't find other ice cream trucks and race cars made stateside! And TONS of used Hot Wheels are out there. I love these little Maple Landmark cars. Holgate also makes wood cars that are adorable and local. Green Toys sells adorable racecars (including a pink one!), but it might cramp the stocking- I would recommend these smaller cars instead.

49. Yoyos (USA)- Another classic gift. I never got good at a yoyo, but if your child is older than 2, he or she is already more coordinated than I am.

50. Tops (USA)- I can't remember being too psyched about tops when I was a kid, but these simple ones from Maple Landmark might be just the kind of challenge that makes the holiday fun. A throwback in a good way.

Making Noise

from Amazon

51. Kazoos (USA)- Gah, I love a good kazoo. A staple at my Grammy's house, and my Grammy is the grand poobah of gifting. You can get this one from West Music for 90 cents!

52. Percusion Blocks (USA)- I don't know why you would buy a percussion block for your own child, but maybe to stick in your enemies' childrens' stockings? Evil Santa Claus?

53. Slide Whistle (EF)- This slide whistle, birthed in Gerrmany, will perfectly fill the need for making lots of annoying noise in an eco-friendly cacophany of annoying. Once, we played Reading Rainbow in a talent show on slide whistles. It is my Christmas wish that your children can enjoy a similar moment (we were in our 20's).

54. Train Whistle (USA)- Toot toot! This whistle is perfect for the Thomas-lover you spawned. Maple Landmark makes one too.

Practical Stuff

 

from Pumpkin Bowties

55. Hair Clippies (USA)- You can find a million hair things on Etsy made by a person with their own little business. You can buy your children hair stuff for little money. Here are some hair clips and hair bows like these from Masterpieces of Fun Art. Sparkly hair ties. Lots of sparkly hair ties. Minion Hair Ties. Frozen hair ties. Disney hair clippies.

56. Nail Clippers (USA)- My Mother in Law gives nail clippers in stockings every year. Genius, because nail clippers seem to disappear so quickly. I don't know where they go, but you never find them. You can start the tradition early with these baby clippers. For bigger kids, bigger clippers.

57. Sippy Caps (USA)- We got these caps this Christmas to add to our Lifefactory bottles, which you already know I am obsessed with. If you are getting to the sippy cup phase, think about going glass or recycled!

58. Socks (USA, R)- Solmate Socks are my favorite. We just bought a set for the bub (they come in sets of 5. How cute is that? Perfect fun socks to put in a stocking. We recently became huge fans of Pact socks as well.

59. Toothbrush (R, USA)- Preserve makes toothbrushes out of recycled plastic. They are completely beloved by our toddler, so this may seem like a bummer gift, but I think it makes a lot of sense. If you have a truly little little one, the banana toothbrush was also well-loved here. If you are trying to make gifting about things your child needs, not just what they want, this could be a good step.

Re-Play from Amazon

60. Snack Containers (R, USA)- Maybe fill these absolutely wonderful replay Snack Stacks with other treats to gift them? Like put some candy  or another surprise inside? Mix red and green for a festive feel. Then you will have snack containers and cut down on wasteful zip loc bags. Win!

Lastly, BUY YOUR CANDY LOCAL!!! America still has tons of candy companies working in the US, so there is no reason to buy those Hershey kisses made in Elsewhere. Buy less candy, but buy good candy. I hope you found lots of inspiration for your stockings here!

If you are interested in green shopping inspiration, check out the List of Shopping Lists! You can transform your shopping this Christmas!

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