Gifts For the Home
We’ve got gifts for every budget, and they are listed in increasing order by price. The most affordable gifts come first, followed by the higher-priced offerings. This list will be updated as I find more unique, thoughtful gifts. Some gifts appear in more than one category.
Macy’s Heart of Haiti Housewares: $15-120
Heart of Haiti is a collection of art, housewares and accessories handmade by Haitian artisans that was launched after the earthquake in January 2010. They receive 22% of the retail price for each item, and many items are made of recycled materials, including oil drums, newspaper and more. Haiti may no longer be in the headlines, but its people still need help. Give gifts from this collection and give back to Haiti. (aff)
Oceanstar Bamboo Wine Rack: $19.98
Most of us can’t afford to own a wine cellar, or even a wine fridge. Still, all wine lovers need a good place to store their investments. These bamboo beauties by Oceanstar can hold up to 12 bottles of wine in perfect horizontal positions. And whether empty or half-full, the design is gorgeous enough to be displayed on a countertop. Available in a natural or espresso finish. (aff)
Ombre Handmade Drinking Glasses: $24.99
Need a gift for that person who has everything? Well, it’s unlikely they have anything like these gorgeous, handmade drinking glasses. Made of recycled glass with an ombre finish (ie. fading color), they are sure attention-getters at the dinner table. (aff)
PUR Water Filter: $27.88
It’s easy to tell folks to stop drinking bottled water, but you’ll probably have a better chance of getting them to do it if you give them the means. Give a PUR faucet-mounted water filter so you can prove, once and for all, that filtered water tastes just as good as, if not better than, bottled. (aff)
Letterpress Art Prints by Enormous Champion: $33-45
There’s nothing that makes a house (or apartment or houseboat) feel like home quite like putting art on the walls. These handmade, letterpress art prints are just special enough to make your giftee feel like an Enormous Champion. I’m kidding. That’s the name of the studio that makes them. Either way, they’d make a beautiful, relatively inexpensive gift.
Red Clay Home Vase & Bowl: $39-59
In a word, these ceramic vases are gorgeous! The asymmetrical opening on the Peek a Book vase makes it the perfect home for a single bud or a couple of stems, while the incline bowl is the kind of statement piece that would be perfect in the middle of a dining or console table. Plus, they’re handmade in partnership with the sustainable Mudshark Studios in Portland, OR. Available in red, white and turquoise.
Handmade Bamboo State Cutting Boards: $48
If there’s a chef on your list, or anyone who is really proud of where they live, these cutting boards from A Heirloom are a great idea. These beauties are handmade of bamboo plywood, and you can place the heart cutout on any area of the state. Keep in mind that these are made to order, so there is a 2-week lead time. In other words, if you want one, don’t wait!
Rehabilitated Dishware: $60/ea.
These graphic, one-of-a-kind dinner plates are made by Brooklyn-based artist Sarah Cihat. Believe it or not, they are made from dishes she finds from garage sales and thrift stores. She then cleans, glazes and re-fires them to create one-of-a-kind pieces of art. These are worthy to be hung on a wall.
Amy Butler Bedding Set: $69.99-199.99
As much time as we each spend in bed in our lifetimes, the bedroom is one place where we should all go green. And there’s nothing quite like falling asleep in comfy, cozy organic bedding. As organic bedding goes, Amy Butler is among the best. I should know. I’ve been sleeping on her bedding for several years and I can vouch for the fact that it’s durable, even with regular use. (aff)
Hammocks & High Tea Pillows: $98/ea.
Beautiful textiles come naturally to the designers of Hammocks & High Tea. Their pillows come in a variety of gorgeous prints, from chevrons to ikats and everything in between. And anyone who loves keeping their home beautiful will appreciate what this high-quality, high-style pillows can do to make a room feel polished. Plus, they’re made of a linen/cotton blend and printed with water-based, no-VOC inks.
BHG Stainless Steel Cookware Set: $129
Quality cookware really does make a difference when making a meal. Stainless steel is a great option, and this heavyweight set from Better Homes & Gardens is great quality for the price. I own this 10-piece set, so I can tell you that these pots cook evenly and quickly and, incredibly, are nonstick and dishwasher safe. Plus, almost all stainless steel is made with recycled content. (aff)
MORE GREEN GIFT IDEAS
I’m Jennae Petersen, and I’m a lot of things. A mother, a graphic artist, a connosieur of beautiful interiors and a purveyor of all things design. Green Your Decor was borne of frustration in my attempts to find eco-friendly housewares that were also beautiful, and inspiration to do something to reduce my own carbon footprint and help others do the same in a beautiful way.
