Eco-Gift Ideas, Green Gift Ideas, Go Green Holidays 2007: Shopping guide at Happyhippie.com

Happy Hippie Eco-Holiday Shopping Guide

Welcome Happy Hippies! This year, take a stand and say NO to foreign, cheap, plastic goods laden with lead; made under horrible working conditions. First, and foremost, it's fun to make your own gifts for friends and relatives. If you're looking for handmade gift ideas, visit our forum and join in on the discussion.

If you're not feeling crafty, and want to shop eco-consciously for the holidays, consider these hand-picked eco-gift items from the staff at Happyhippie.com. The majority of the products below are from small, home-based businesses, and we have tried to pick things that are UNIQUE and interesting.

This is the first of an ongoing series that we will feature during November - December. I personally know of many birthdays coming up in this timespan, so consider these easy ideas to celebrate as well.

November 2, 2007 Edition

Budget $1 - $10

Dead Sea Mud Soap - In looking for the perfect soap to give as a gift, it had to have certain qualities in order to make the list here. Besides being natural, and organic, it had to be interesting. What better soap than Dead Sea Mud with a smoky blend of Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils! Frankincense and Myrrh soap, people! If it's good enough to give to Jesus as a gift, it's got to be a thoughtful gift for a loved one. Mineral-rich Dead Sea Mud stimulates new skin, which is a must with dry winter skin inevitably on the way. The Comfrey Root is extremely comforting and soothing to irritated skin. Cost: $8 + shipping at Greenridge Herbals also has many other exotic soaps, and a lovely Autumn skin care pack with a pumpkin scrub.

Susan's Soaps - Guys are famous for *not caring* about what skin care regime they use, or don't, for that matter. However, it's interesting to note that many guys gravitate towards the *good stuff* in the shower, the nice soaps, the shampoos. Here are some awesome soaps that they'll use, and appreciate because the scents are not flowery. What's better is they are all-natural, handmade artisan soaps that don't dry out skin. Susan offers these excellent manly scents - Walk in the Woods: The scent is a blend of lavender, patchouli and oakmoss essential oils. It is a rich brown color with a fresh, earthy, woodsy scent. Sweet Tobacco Soap: Susan designed this scent to be reminiscent of the scent of pipe tobacco. It is made with tobacco absolute (the nicotine has been removed) blended with vanilla, sweet orange and almond scents. And, real Sandalwood soap: Susan uses a true sandalwood essential oil from Australia that is from a renewable resource of sandalwood growth. (This is NOT a synthetic, artificial sandalwood fragrance oil.) Cost: Soaps range from $6 - $10 and are available at Susan's Soaps

For more great all-natural bath and beauty gift ideas, please visit the
Bath and Beauty Directory on Happyhippie.com

Elephant Dung Paper - We've already done a story on the Elephant Dung paper, but again, we look for the unusual, and this is spot on. Read the article, and then check out Audrey's current selection of beautiful gift papers made out of Elephant Poop. The paper ranges from $1.05 to $25. It's so fun, but don't wait to long, because she usually sells out pretty fast. She also carries great bubble bath products for kids that are all natural.

Budget $10 - $20

Herbs - Spices - Oils - Ok, so back to the handmade gifts concept. Make your own custom blends of organic spices, or organic aromatherapy oils for the holidays, and save a ton by buying bulk. Having the need to sneak in my UNIQUE gift idea, you can buy organic sprouting seeds from Mountain Rose Herbs. Make your own Chia Pet :) - or set up a friend with their own easy to grow, and extremely nutritional sprout kit. Mountain Rose Herbs has a fantastic selection of everything organic to make your own home projects with, and their prices won't bust the bank. Their products are grown, harvested, processed and handled by fun, knowledgeable and caring people. Check them out here: Mountain Rose Herbs

Budget $20 - $30

Hemp Dog Collars - My dog goes through about one collar a year. For some reason, the holidays have always been the time that my dog gets her new one. Hemp dog collars have been hard to find in the past, but not so any more. Good Humans offers lots of cool hemp and organic product clothing, but these hemp dog collar prints are beyond cool. Currently they only have MEDIUM only - which is 14" - 20". Features triple-layer, 100% hemp canvas construction, contoured quick release hardware and distinctive trimmings. Hemp Dog collars available for $22 at Good Humans

Salt Lamps - Know someone feeling a little down, and needs a pick me up? A good ol' fashioned Himalayan Salt Lamp will do the trick. Wait, what? Yep - it's true. These beautiful salt lamps, from the foothills of Himalayan Mountains are more than just pretty to look at - they're good for you. Salt crystal lamps generate healthy negative ions that cleanse the air. Ever experienced the change in the air after a good rain? That's from negative ions, and that's what these lamps do, and they don't lose their power over time. Included: Zen Hardwood Base, FREE UL Tested Dimmer Cord ($15 value, while they last) 15 watt bulb, Individual box and care instructions. Your purchase supports Fair Trade. How do Solay salt lamps work You can look at all the different sizes, and prices at http://www.natural-salt-lamps.com/. Right now they have a Special for $29.95

Tie one on! Gift eco-consciously, and gift beautifully. This is one unique bag - made from 100% wool, lined, and features a thick braided strap that you tie together to create the length and style that suits you best. Tie it on and leave it on! Wool is durable, warm and growing in popularity as natural renewable resources are coming back into the limelight (finally!) This bag looks like a piece of body jewelry, yet functional. Bag is 12" x 12" and is $25 at Soul-Flower.com Limited supply.

Stay tuned, as we continue the eco-gift guide for the holidays next week. Cheers,

Happy Hippie Staff

For more info on having your products featured in the holiday guide, please mail us at info@happyhippie.com