How to Find Earth-Friendly Gifts. photo courtesy of the Pug Father

We all want to do our part to help the environment. A big part of that is buying products that are eco-friendly. Using our money to support earth-conscious companies is a great way to go green. While many products claim to be created with the earth in mind, how can you be sure? Here are some clues for telling if a gift is eco-friendly.

Look for Official Certification

If a lamp claims on its package to be energy efficient or certified look for proof. If it is in fact officially certified it will carry the energy efficient logo. Without that the claim could be false. Or if paper products claim to be made from recycled materials, somewhere on the package there should be an official statement or certification.

Beware of Vague Claims

A lot of products throw up green sounding phrases with hopes of luring you into a sale. If a product says it’s chemical-free, beware. Even water is a chemical, so being chemical free is virtually impossible. Other phrases commonly used to mislead consumers are non-toxic, all natural and green. Even certain poisons like arsenic and formaldehyde are all-natural.

Do Some Checking

Finding out if a product really is what it claims to be can be tough. But in the case of Energy Star rated products, it’s as easy as an online search. Head to the Energy Star website and look through their database of products that are officially Energy Star rated.

Support Green Companies

Each year Newsweek lists the top 500 green companies. Take a look at the list and do your best to support companies that are already doing a great job with this initiative. By using your money to buy green gifts for those you love, you’re showing the world that you care about the environment.

Green-colored gifts usually put a smile on the faces of people who are Irish, fans of the Fighting Irish, or born in the month of May, where their birthstone is the green emerald. It’s not too hard to find a green gift, as there are plenty of T-shirts, ball caps, dresses, and other pieces of clothing to consider, but when you want to get a little creative, consider the following items:

Green Jewelry

From the deeper shades of emeralds to the softer side of jade, green jewelry is a popular gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. For example, choose a May Birthstone Ring for a birthday girl that sparkles in a setting of white or yellow gold. Sometimes, green gems are flanked by diamonds, while other times, they are a beautiful stand-alone. Experiment with different cuts and precious stone combinations. Rings aren’t the only pieces of green jewelry to enjoy – you can browse endless necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and pendants at your local jeweler or online.

Green Appliances & Household Items

Nowadays, it’s easy to purchase common household items in a variety of green shades. To give a highly functional green gift, consider the Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Compact Earth-Friendly Deep Cleaner comprised of parts made from post-consumer recycled plastic. This eco-friendly item offers compact deep cleaning for both small and large cleaning jobs. Other features include PVC-free tanks and hose, tough-stain brush attachment, and a 1-year limited warranty. Arriving in eco-friendly packaging, this Bissell cleaner comes in a lovely shade of olive green.

Healthy Green Gifts

Give the gift that not only accommodates a green lifestyle, but also promotes healthy living. The Tribest Wheatgrass Grower offers three adjustable growing trays with germination lids and greenhouse covers to supply wheatgrass juice Each tray is responsible for producing up to 15 servings of wheatgrass juice – which supplies the body with beneficial enzymes and works as a detoxifier. This gift comes with organic wheatgrass seeds and a spray bottle for watering. For beginners, instructions on how to grow and harvest wheatgrass are also included.

Chia Pet Handmade Decorative Planter

To create an entertaining, fun addition to an office or to add character to a living room, Chia Pets are easy gifts to maintain. Simply soak the clay base in water overnight, spread on water-soaked Chia seeds, and fill with water. Keep the base full of water and the moistened seeds should sprout in 3 to 5 days. Stand by while the Chia grows a full coat of greenery. Today, there are a lot of inventive Chia characters to consider, including Hillary Clinton, Garfield, Obama, Shrek and his donkey, puppy, and elephant.

For all the creative messes that take place in the kitchen, every good cook needs an apron. Today, the number of fashionable, fun, and colorful aprons are limitless. From presents that help family and friends express their comedic side in the kitchen to gift ideas that encourage a budding food connoisseur to grow, aprons offer the perfect gift for chefs.

Apron for the Fashionable Chef

The patterns and designs of aprons have surely come a long way. Enter the collection of Jessie Steele Ava Bib Aprons – comprised of fine cotton. The apron features two pockets with adjustable ties, neck, and waist. Classy bows are often an aspect of Jessie Steele aprons, which come in a variety of colors and designs, including Retro Cherries, Café Toile, and Blue Poppy Fields (all shown). To fully coordinate, thrown in the matching pot-mitt and tea towel, which is sold separately.

Apron for the Comedic Chef

There are plenty of ways to bring a laugh to the kitchen with an apron that displays quirky messages and phrases. For example, the “Be Nice to Me or I’ll Poison Your Food” Embroidered Apron is a real gem, offering an adjustable neck strap and high-quality cotton/poly blend. With easy care features, you can easily wash this item without worrying about shrinking, fading or ironing.

Apron for the Eco-Friendly Chef

The planet-conscious cook will certainly enjoy an eco-friendly apron comprised of recycled cotton. The Eco-friendly Recycled Cotton Apron Kit by California Innovations comes with a detachable bottle opener, padded oven mitt, towel, and of course, an apron. Multiple pockets decorate the front for easy storage of utensils. Chefs may adjust the neck and side tie strings for a comfortable fit.

Apron for the Sexy Chef

Made for cooking and grilling, the Attitude line of aprons found on Amazon.com fits most builds, measuring 18×12 inches. Out of this sassy collection of aprons, consider the following styles: polka dot bikini, French maid, and black lingerie. This gift makes a great gag or spicy gesture for your significant other. For men, this style of apron comes in a tuxedo design.

Apron for the Sporty Chef

Even in the kitchen, you can still show your team spirit when cooking up appetizers for the big game. Slip into a chef’s apron that features your favorite team name and logo with matching straps. This one-size-fits-most gift is made out of cotton and is available in a variety of teams, including the Cleveland Browns, New York Yankees, and Dallas Cowboys.

Apron for the Young Chef

The Kuhn Rikon Kinderkitchen White Rabbit Apron is a fun way to get kids interested in the inner workings of the kitchen. Mold perfect mommy- and daddy’s little helpers with an apron made with an adjustable loop neck strap and ties. Other features include a 100% cotton body with front pocket that holds the included stainless tasting spoon. For an extra treat, pair a Kuhn Rikon children’s apron with some of their kid-designed cooking utensils, such as the whisk in the shape of a cockatiel.

Give Homemade Spa Treatments (Photo courtesy of Fing'rs)

Lots of your friends and family members probably love the idea of indulging at a spa– but few have the time or money. Now you can give them the gift of relaxation with these DIY spa gifts. With a few simple ingredients packaged creatively in jars or plastic containers from a craft store, you’ll have a great gift ready to go.

Coffee Body Scrub

Don’t toss out those coffee grounds– put them to good use. Combine two cups of coffee grounds with a half cup of raw sugar or sea salt and a few tablespoons of massage oil for a lovely coffee body scrub that will wash away the dry skin winter leaves behind.

Bath Cookies

Check out SpaIndex.com’s most requested recipe– bath cookies! You’ll bake up something great for your friends and family members to use in their next bath. The recipe is pretty easy and includes many ingredients you probably already have in your fridge or pantry including sea salt, baking soda, cornstarch, oil, and eggs. Combine the ingredients, bake for ten minutes and you’ll have a gift that looks like you picked it up in a fancy spa!

Sugar Coconut Hand Renewal

Winter does a number on our hands often leaving them dry and cracked. Whip up this recipe from Health Magazine and give it away to those who may need a little pampering. The recipe is made up of ingredients like coconut oil, sugar, and lemon juice. Make sure your gift also includes a pair of cotton gloves like these from PrettyLikeMe.com so they can let your mixture work overnight.

At-Home French Manicure

Put together your own French manicure kit that includes cuticle cream, white and pink nail polish and a fancy nail file. Give it to someone who may not have the time or money for regular manicures, but deserves to look their best.

Fight Spring Fever With Gifts (Photo Courtesy of Robert S. Donovan)

Longing for warm weather, blooming flowers and plentiful sunshine? Just about everyone starts coming down with a case of spring fever right about now. The weather may not be cooperating outside, but you can certainly make it feel more like spring inside with some special gifts for family and friends.

House Plants

Nothing says spring like greenery. Bring more green to your friends and family by giving them some lovely houseplants. Check out SimplyPlanters.com for a wide range of indoor pots in just about every material you could want. A cheery bouquet of flowers works well too.

Coconut Bath Products

Few scents embody warm weather like coconut. Check out this coconut collection from Sephora. These body scrubs, body butters and bottles of bubble bath make a great gift for conquering spring fever.

Warm-Weather Reading

Books have a great ability to transport us to other places, times and worlds. Pick up some great books with warm-weather settings that will have your friends feeling like they’re leaving winter behind.

Fresh Accessories

Florals are hot for spring fashion. Give your loved one a little style that will kick start their spring wardrobe. Check out the Windswept Floral Skinny Scarf and the Turquoise Chip Headband available at Ann Taylor Loft.

Picnic Essentials

Let your friends and family think about warm weather activities like picnics outside. Gifts like the collapsible picnic basket from Crate and Barrel will let them do just that.

Garden Needs

They may not be able to plant their gardens quite yet, but at least your loved ones can prepare. Give them seeds, garden tools, and a fresh pair of gardening gloves so that when the weather does finally cooperate they can be ready to go.

Spring Pillows

Bring spring into their home and banish spring fever with a fresh throw pillow. Check out some new arrivals at West Elm including the Spring Lark Silk Pillow Cover. It comes in two lovely, light colors that will automatically offer a spark of spring into any room.

Good times with the color green and shamrocks are just around the corner, meaning it’s time to shower family and friends who absolutely love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with gifts. Not only is the holiday a time to rejoice the feast day of St. Patrick, but to also indulge in all things green and Irish – from dyed beer to parading down streets decorated with green stripes. If you’re looking for Irish gift ideas, consider the following personalized items from PersonalizationMall.com that add a unique touch:

Irish Cheer© Personalized Pocket Flask

The Irish Cheer© Pocket Flask allows St. Patrick’s Day celebrators to toast in style with a gift comprised of stainless steel and decorated with the traditional shamrock. Any name is hand etched on the flask, which features elaborate detail and a brushed finish base. The attached cap makes the flask easy to open and close when stowing away 8 fluid ounces of your favorite drink.

Old Irish Pub© Personalized Slate Plaque

Perfect for game rooms, dens, basements, bar rooms, and private ‘man caves,’ a personalized Irish pub plaque accommodates the man or woman who enjoys dedicating their relaxing spaces to their Irish heritage. Using hand-cut, fine-grained slate, the plaque is fashioned out of naturally weather-resistant stone. Since the plaque is washable and resistant to Mother Nature, it makes a decent gift for indoor and outdoor use. To make this a one-of-a-kind gift, include any family name. Other personalized Irish pub items to consider:

Coasters: Customized coasters with any name placed into the design add a special touch. A set of 4 coasters offer a laminated front with cork backing, which effectively protects furniture. When not in use, an included natural wood caddy helps store and display coasters.

Doormat: There’s nothing like welcoming family and friends with a personalized doormat displaying any name added to the design. PersonalizationMall.com mats are fade and mildew resistant – easily cleanable with mild liquid soap and water.

Irish Fancy Pants© Embroidered Diaper Cover

Outfit the little lady in your life with Embroidered Baby Bloomers personalized with a first name and accompanying emerald green shamrock. The diaper cover fashionably offers a cotton/poly blend with embroidered eyelet trim at the leg opening. A soft elastic waist caps off the pants.

Lucky Dog© Personalized Dog Bandana

If you’re planning on taking Fido to a St. Patrick’s Day parade, a personalized Lucky Dog^© Irish Bandana helps he or she blend in with the festivities. Made with 100% cotton and printed with full color detail, PersonalizationMall.com dog bandanas offer a convenientwhich avoids the hassle of tying knots. Fitting any sized dog, the bandana measures 19″W x 12″L. Placed in the center, bandanas feature the dog’s name on a bone. Add any title to complete the design.

Children and adults alike cannot resist the allure of a classic board game. They bring holiday cheer under the Christmas tree and light up the faces of children on their birthdays. The competitive spirit is one that never dies and board game manufactures have found plenty of ways to keep the interest of people looking for traditional childhood games with modern twists. A few gift ideas include:

Sorry

With a variety of colorful characters, illustrated game boards, and unique card instructions, Special Edition Sorry creates hours of fun with themes, such as Disney, Spiderman, the Simpsons, Pokemon, Spongebob Squarepants, and the Lion King. Parker Brothers has also expanded the different ways you can play Sorry, including transforming the classic game into a shuffle board game called Sorry Sliders. The bottoms of pawns are outfitted with rolling balls that players use to slide to home. Since Sorry Sliders doesn’t require a great deal of strategy or skill level, it makes a decent gift for all age groups.

UNO

In the past, the most you had to worry about when playing the classic version of UNO was drawing four cards or having your turn skipped. The UNO games of today have evolved to include many different twists. With Uno Spin, whenever someone plays a ’spin’ card, opponents must spin the wheel, where the entire game can turn upside down. The Uno Flash Game uses an electronic device to encourage fast-paced play aimed to keep you on your toes.

Monopoly

From representing your alma mater to focusing on your favorite movie or television show, the creative themes of Monopoly seem endless. When it comes to giving the perfect gift, the never-ending choices make it hard to settle on just one Monopoly theme. This is why Make Your Own Opoly Board Game is the perfect selection for all ages. Inside, you will find everything needed to hand-customize the game board, cards, the box, and even the play money. Contents include a CD-ROM, floppy disk, paper and label set, game board, six colored pawns, two dice, easy-to-follow publishing booklet, and game instructions.

Yahtzee

Traditional Yahtzee play centered on rolling five dice to make certain combinations in an attempt to score the most points. With Yahtzee Free for All, game play involves a fast-paced combination of cards, dice, and chips, where opponents strive to match or beat dice rolls, steal turns, and score. Other Yahtzee variations include themed editions, such as Disney Princesses, Toy Story or a National Park Edition where park icons serve as the dice illustrations.

The Game of Life

The Game of Life has come a long way from ushering a carload of kiddies into a life filled with success and fortune. Today, Milton Bradley offers a range of takes on the classic board game. With the The Game of Life Twists & Turns, players use fake VISA cards to store money with the help of the LIFEPod, which keeps track of player’s money and helps manage the game. Living out your fantasies and taking life to the extreme is easy with the Milton Bradley Game of Life-Extreme Reality – an exciting gift for the creative mind.

Valentine’s Day is on Sunday! Not too much time left. Here are some great deals on Valentine’s Day Flowers (remember to always read the store policies before placing your order):

Full of secrets and mystery, the vampire has intrigued many and currently appears in an array of novels, movies, and television shows. From ‘True Blood’ on HBO to the ‘Twilight’ series, fangs and staying out of the sunlight have become an increasingly popular trend in entertainment. Somewhere in your family and friends, there’s a diehard Sookie Stackhouse fan or teenager who’s gaga over Bella and Edward Cullen.

When browsing gifts for fans of vampires, consider the following suggestions:

Interview with the Vampire DVD

A vampire collection is not complete unless you own one of the most popular classic vampire movies of all-time. An Interview with the Vampire starred Tom Cruise, Christian Slater, and Brad Pitt – an adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel bearing the same name. The DVD is filled with passion, intrigue and suspense, where “the selfishly evil vampire Lestat (Cruise), seduces Louis into a life of immortality, where he is troubled by the need to kill to maintain his own life. He confesses his 200 year erotic and bloody adventure to an unbelieving journalist.”

Sookie Stackhouse Box Set

The popular HBO series, ‘True Blood’ is based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels written by Charlaine Harris. Gifting the Sookie Stackhouse Box Set delivers seven books to the avid reader who wants to relive every passionate kiss and gory detail of the vampires living in fictional Bon Temps.

Vampire Video and Computer Games

Computer and video games allow people to place themselves in the shoes of vampire slayers, potential victims, or the vampires themselves. From Playstation to Xbox to CD-roms, choose from classic favorites to the latest adventures, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds, Dracula Files, and Vampire Rain.

Vampire Clothing and Accessories

Every now and then, the diehard vampire fan may want to transform into their favorite character. Deluxe Vampire Capes allow vampire fans feel the full effect. Usually black with red lining, most capes mirror the kinds depicted in the movies and provide a collar that folds and lies on the shoulders. Wristcuffs and chokers also help finalize the vampire look. Complete with count medallion, fangs, and fake blood, Vampire in a Box provides an instant costume accessory kit – perfect for younger vampire fans.

Vampire Jewelry

From blood red rings to pendent imagery associated with Dracula, jewelry is a popular gift for vampire fans. Artisans may use bats, ornate crosses, Victorian cameos, skulls, fangs, and red roses with thorns to create jewelry that grabs the attention of vampire lovers. Craft your own charm bracelet for loved ones by selecting various amulets and vampire symbols. Browse Gothic jewelry for ideas as well.

Perhaps you’ve gone into business with a couple of friends or have established a close-knit working relationship with your small business partners. There is one special day shared in common that’s perfect for giving small tokens of appreciation for a job well done – your business anniversary. Every time your business survives another year, it’s a momentous occasion (especially in today’s economy). If you’re in need of ideas for anniversary gifts for small business partners, you’ve come to the right place.

Pen Set

Whether they’re signing off on a lucrative deal or taking notes during a meeting, equip your business partners with an elegant pen set. PersonalizationMall.com offers an attractive solid rosewood case and pen set with your choice of nine inspirational quotes. You may also create your own message or engrave your company name. Themed pen sets are also available, like the Law Office ™ collection shown.

Flowers

Brighten the desk of your business partners with a colorful bouquet of flowers or long-lasting arrangements, such as the Money Tree Plant from 1-800-Flowers. New businesses may start a tradition of passing out the number of flowers that correspond to the number of years in business.

Business Card Case

Make sure your business partners never miss an opportunity to network because they’re fumbling for business cards. A classy business card case not only keeps contact information safe and easily accessible, but also displays professionalism to potential clients. Personalize the case with names or highlight your 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year anniversary. For the creative mind or for partners in an architecture firm, this Frank Lloyd Wright- inspired business card holder makes an impressive gift.

Gift Certificate or Gift Card

For those of you looking to give a gift that matches the personality of business partners, choose gift certificates that speak to the interests of individual co-workers. For instance, give a Starbucks gift card to the coffee fanatic in the office. Other ideas include movie passes and restaurant gift certificates.

Chocolate

Satisfy a sweet tooth for success with a box of chocolates or something out of the ordinary, like an assortment of gourmet pretzel rods. Chocolate.com offers a wide selection of beautifully decorated boxes of chocolate dipped pretzels – hand-wrapped with a soft layer of Caramel, dipped in Milk or Dark Chocolate, rolled in finely chopped Pecans or Walnuts, or decorated with a drizzle of White Chocolate.

Christmas Ornaments

If the date of your business anniversary is around the Christmas holiday, celebrate the occasion by gifting personalized Christmas tree ornaments centered on your company name and business achievements. Whether you create your own inspirational words of wisdom or simply highlight the number of successful years in business, Christmas ornaments are thoughtful gifts that last a lifetime.