Gifts that Save

Posted on November 30th, 2008 by inspiredpractice

Last week we looked at Gifts that Matter. To continue with our weekly gift-giving lists, we are sharing ideas on Gifts that Save. We are choosing to define “save” in very broad terms so we could toss in one or two really fun ideas.

TREE SAVER

Jenny Wren Papererie – Furochic Gift Wrap offers a smart and stylish alternative to paper. Based on Furoshiki, a square cloth traditionally used in Japan to wrap shopping purchases and embellish important gifts, Furochic is made of 100% cotton and measures 27″ X 27″. Furochic comes with a full yard of tying ribbon, a matching card and illustrated instructions for wrapping techniques. This is almost a gift in itself. It is reusable and very beautiful. Save trees this holiday season and use fabric wrap instead. $13

FOOD SAVER

Pyrex Storage Plus 10-Piece Set - Pyrex glass is safe in the oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher. These food savers are non-porous, so they won’t absorb food odors, food flavors or food stains. They are also BPA and phthalate-free. These are the safest food storage options around. Fill them with your home baked goods and favourite foods. It is a perfect, inexpensive gift. $20

ENERGY SAVER

Plug & Play Plug In Kit – This money saving starter kit is a simple way to take control of your home or office, your finances, and your energy consumption. It works by completely cutting power to the devices plugged into it when they’re not in use, thus saving the power that would otherwise be consumed in standby mode. It might not be a sexy gift but saving energy is great for the environment and can translate into saving dollars. So this year, if you are buying your loved ones some kind of electronic pluggable item, toss in one of these kits and watch your savings climb. $20

MONEY SAVER

Little Brown Pen Printable Calendar – This printable 2009 calendar makes an economical holiday gift. Simply print as many as you like, and give them to everyone on your holiday list. Just add paper. No shipping costs. Hostesses can print these for party favours at your holiday party. Teachers can print them out for students to make as gifts for parents. Anyone can give everyone on their list a gift for pocket change! $5

TASTE SAVER

Eco-Culture Growing Kits – Eco-Culture bundles come with chemical-free, disease-resistant, biologically-diverse heirloom seeds. With these heirloom seeds, it’s easy to grow foods with great flavour! These are excellent gifts (especially for those who have green thumbs and live in places with short growing seasons). Growing your own organic herbs helps you save on your grocery bill without sacrificing taste. $42-$63

HOME SAVER

Wild Dog Beeswax Candles – Beeswax is very different: all natural, non-toxic, non-polluting, non-allergenic, and with a delicious honey-sweet aroma. Pure beeswax is healthy. Beeswax produces negative ions that actually clean your air of odors, pollens, smoke, dust, dust mites, viruses and other allergens and hazards – the only known fuel to do so. You cannot go wrong with a gift that warms, beautifies and purifies. $5-85

WINE SAVER

Vacu Vin Concerto Wine Saver Gift Set – This gift set features Vacu Vin’s Concerto Wine Saver, two stoppers, a crystal server, and a twister corkscrew with a patented three-grip hold. What a great and PRACTICAL hostess gift to share along with a nice bottle of wine. $40