Giving the gift of experience or a gift of necessity is not only more useful than giving a product gift, but both use fewer resources and thus, are eco-friendly.
Gifts of experience:

Tickets to a play, the ballet, a concert, or art show.
Season sports team tickets.
A trip to the zoo, beach, art museum, or national park for a child.
Movie tickets.
Enrollment in a class – places like Michaels and community colleges offer low-cost art, craft, and computer classes that people may enjoy.
iTunes gift certificate.
A gingerbread house making day.

Gifts of necessity:

Pay someone’s cell phone bill for two months.
Offer to change someone’s oil, breaks, …read more

Being that Buy Nothing Day is coming up fast, here are some ideas for gifts of time you can give this holiday season. These are all cost-nothing gifts, or gifts you can provide with what’s on hand already….
Teach a child something or just spend some time: Honestly, I can’t tell you one item my grandma gave me for a holiday. But I think about everything she taught me or did with me all the time. How to sew, cook, play cards, paint, and more. Plus her stories stick with me. These are the things kids remember when they’re older, not …read more

Green gifts can cost a little more; but not if you make them yourself. I’m going to give you some ideas for homemade eco gifts that won’t cost too much to make and that people will actually adore. Some are from Tree Hugging Family’s past, and others are new.
If I see any more over the next couple of weeks, I’ll post those too.
Great little homemade green gifts for party hosts:
Pennyroyal, Cinnamon, & Lavender Air Freshener

Flower & Spice Table Toppers via Family Corner
 

Organic homemade beauty gifts: