Ethical & green gifts
My Mother is hard to please. If it's not chocolate, flowers, or something from Marks and Spencer, then the chances are she won't like it. Not surprisingly I've exhausted every possible combination of the above for previous Mother's days, until last year when I gave up (well... technically I forgot, but she doesn't need to know that). Mother's day 2010 falls on 14th March, so here are six ethical gift ideas which will please the planet just as much as the pickiest of Mothers.
CLICK THE IMAGE TO START THE GALLERY
Ethical & green gifts
Let someone know that you care about them on Valentine's Day with some organic heart lollipops.
Available from By Nature, they come either in a dark or milk chocolate (or a combination of both). They are sent on your behalf with the message of your choice on embossed card paper. The card and the packaging are made of recycled materials.
The gourmet cards retail for £6.99 for one Lollipop and £8.99 for 2 Lollipops (price includes postage). Last date of order for Valentine's Day delivery is February 11th 2010.
http://www.bynature.co.uk/organic-chocolate-heart-lollies-gourmet-card-17388-0.html
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If you watched Panorama recently you'll have seen just how dirty some of our seas and beaches are getting from water companies emptying sewage into them, especially after heavy storms.
Now approaching its 20th anniversary, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is Europe's largest environmental boardrider's campaign group and this year launched its brand new Protect Our Waves (POW) campaign. This campaign is dedicated to the protection of surf spots from unacceptable impacts on the environment, wave quality and right of access.
To support the new POW campaign, the not for profit organisation has produced a cool new organic t-shirt, for men and women, featuring a surfer standing up for his 'rights' (and lefts) against threats to the water environment. The 2009/2010 autumn/winter range also features luxuriously soft and breathable bamboo hoodies for women in two-tone colourways of turquoise or black with pewter contrast. The men's range includes a heavyweight hemp/organic cotton zip track-top in Sand/Grey Marl.
All of the clothing is made from eco-fibres that are sustainable and less polluting. Most importantly they raise essential funds to help protect the UK's beaches, waves, and coastline. You can visit the SAS online shop at surfers against sewage shop.
CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO SEE CLOTHING FROM THE LATEST RANGE
Ethical & green gifts
With many of us becoming eco conscious, traditionally white weddings are taking on a proverbial green hue as some brides opt for energy efficient and recycling aspects to their big day.
However, it's often hard to find suppliers who cater for these demands. Until now that is.
The Green Bride Guide, launching this month, claims to be the "yellow pages" for all things green and bridal.
Via Bridalwave
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Looking for something special for your green goddess this Valentines? All the gifts ideas I've picked out here are both girlfriend-friendly and green as grass. From ethically-mined gold pendants to non-toxic, fragrant soy candles, there's plenty here to delight. I've even included one or two that come with an additional free gift -- but don't tell!
Click on the image below for details on each product.
Related: Valentine's gifts for men
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Guys have a reputation for being hard to buy for, but I had no trouble digging up these great valentine's gift ideas, each of which gives something back to the planet. Click on the image below to see my top picks for men, and show how much you care by picking a green gift this year.
Ethical & green gifts
Even if you've never been to London, the odds are you'll know about Covent Garden, and will most probably regard it as being tourist central. But having worked here for years I can personally vouch for the fact that there's more to the place than meets the eye, and it's been a centre of craft in the capital for hundreds of years.
The Apple Market is the best place to find hand-made goods; it's packed with jewellery, clothing and gifts, all of which are made within the UK. And you can now browse sellers online so why not check it out for some valentine's ideas?
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