ADVERTISEMENT
GREEN HOMES

Your Guide to Eco-Chic Wedding Gifts

Don't miss the updated 2011 guide to green wedding gifts!

By The Daily Green Staff
loading
Email
Share

Recreational Cooking Classes

wedding registry,wedding gifts, green wedding, weddings, cooking class, cooking lessons, cooking couple taking cooking class

Local culinary schools often offer recreational cooking classes in a variety of categories like wine studies, ethnic foods or even cooking basics. Cooking classes can be a fun activity for the newlywed couple to do together, and it will expand their recipe repertoire, reducing the amount they eat out. You may have to sign up at the beginning of class terms, so look up the school nearest them in advance. Cost usually varies by school and length of class.

Luxurious Bamboo Towels from Nandina

weddings, green weddings, wedding registry, wedding gifts, gifts, bamboo, towels, bamboo bath towels, nandina bamboo towels from nandina

The unique blend of bamboo and organic cotton fibers makes Nandina towels absorbent and fast-drying. And they're sustainable: spun from hand-harvested bamboo and organic cotton, woven in a wind-powered factory and colored with natural dyes. Nandina towels are also anti-microbial and hypoallergenic, so you won't sacrifice luxury for responsibility. Bath towels are $50 each from Satara Inc., or for your local retailer visit Nandina's Website.

3-Bin Recycling Center from Green and More

weddings, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts, wedding registry, green and more recycling bins, recycling centers, recycle bins, recycle centers recycling center from green and more

This Stainless Steel recycling center from Green and More is divided into three four-gallon bins for easy sorting of recyclables. Because of the clean design and step-on lids, the newlyweds can keep it in the kitchen without mess or fuss, and even better, each bin comes with a handle-equipped plastic insert for when it's time for emptying -- so no arguing over whose turn it is to take out the recycling. Priced at $139.99.

Handmade Glass Carafe and Cups from Branch Home

recycled glass, recycled glasses, jute, wedding gifts, green wedding, wedding registry, weddings, gifts, branch home recycled glass carafe and cups with jute rope

Handmade from recycled glass stock in an electric furnace powered by wind, every piece in this set from Branch Home is one-of-a-kind. The carafe and matching cups are wrapped in sustainable jute rope, which provides a built-in cushion and coaster. Priced at $468 for the set.

Colorful Serving Trays from Branch Home

branch home, serving trays, serving tray, bamboo serving tray, green weddings, wedding gifts, wedding registry, weddings bamboo serving tray from branch home

Made of bamboo, water-based adhesive, natural lacquer and food-safe polyurethane, these colorful serving trays from Branch Home are certified safe for you and the environment. Because they are hand-manufactured by Bambu, they also come with a Co-Op America Seal of Approval for the company's commitment to fair working conditions. Their slender design makes them perfect for serving hors d'oeuvres or margaritas, and they come in five fun colors: kiwi, cayenne, sunflower, hazelnut and spice. Each tray is $24.

Bamboo Box Knife Holders from VivaTerra

weddings, green weddings, wedding gifts, wedding registry, gifts, bamboo, vivaterra, bamboo knife block, knife block, knife holder, kitchen knife block, green weddings, wedding gifts bamboo knife holders from vivaterra

Bamboo, an easily renewable resource, is known for being a hard yet light wood, making these chic knife holders an eco-lover's dream wedding gift. The bamboo boxes, handcrafted in Europe and sold by VivaTerra, protect and store cutlery with the hundreds of bamboo skewers that fill them. They come in two sizes, $49 for small and $89 for large, and two colors, red and white.

Energy-Saving Slow Cooker from All-Clad

weddings, green weddings, wedding gifts, wedding registry, gifts, crock pots, crock pot cooking, crock pot, slow cooker all-clad slow cooker

Instead of giving the usual toaster or blender, give a slow cooker, also known as the energy-conscious Crock-pot. Encourage the newlyweds to use their oven less and save money with one of The Green Cheapskate's favorite appliances. The 6.5-quart model by All-Clad MetalCrafters from Macy's has a sleek ceramic insert and only uses 320 watts of electricity, compared to an electric oven which guzzles 4,400 watts. At $199.99, All-Clad's Crock-pot is not the cheapest model, but its rave reviews and extra settings make it worth it for the happy couple.

Green Gourmet Cookware Set from Cuisinart

weddings, green weddings, wedding gifts, wedding registy, gifts, cuisinart cookware set, cookware set, nonstick cookware set cookware set from cuisinart

Sold at gift registry hot spot Bed, Bath & Beyond, the Greenware nonstick cookware set from Cuisinart is a green alternative to your everyday set of pots and pans at a decent price -- $149.99. The aluminum pan construction offers excellent heat conduction for saving energy, and the set is petroleum free thanks to ceramic-based nonstick technology. Because of the PTFOA and PTFE-free coating, the pots and pans make cooking healthier. Oh, and the handles, which stay cool on the stove top, are made from 70 percent recycled steel.

Pastel Boatwood Clock from VivaTerra

clock, wall clock, kitchen clock, clocks, green weddings, wedding gifts boatwood clock from vivaterra

VivaTerra's boatwood clock is anything but drab, fashioned from dismantled Thai fishing boats. The pastel panels are artfully combined to create cool, marine hues and a calming feel. For $69, spruce up their home and support eco-living.

Organic Herb Window Gardening Kit from Clean Air Gardening

clean air gardening, window garden, gardening, organic gardening, herb garden, green weddings, wedding gifts, wedding registry, weddings window gardening kit from clean air gardening

With the help of this window gardening kit from Clean Air Gardening, the newlyweds can get started growing their own organic herbs, even if they don't have the yard space for a garden. Each kit comes with four garden cans with your choice of tomato, basil, herb mix or dill seeds (get one of each or any combination of four), as well as enriched growing mix and nutrients for $24.99.

Artistic Grill from John T. Unger Designs

green weddings, weddings, wedding gifts, wedding registry, gifts, john t unger,bbq grill, barbecue grill, charcoal grill, grills, barbeque grills recycled steel grill from john unger designs

When the average person sees a pile of discarded propane tanks, he or she sees trash, but artist John T. Unger sees potential for functional art. Unger said in an interview about his craft with Lateral Action, "creative re-use has the potential to spark new ways of looking at the world ... if one thing can be turned in to another, what else can we change?" This recycled, hand-cut grill made from scrap metal is suitable for wood or charcoal fires and perfect for intimate backyard barbecues. Because every grill is handmade, each order is unique, so you'll be sure to be giving the the most memorable gift. Order from John T. Unger Studio for $129.

Community Supported Agriculture Subscription

farms, csa, community supported agriculture, green wedding, wedding gifts, weddings, wedding registry csa delivery

Community Supported Agriculture, known as CSA, is one of the best ways to experience locally grown, seasonal produce and to get to know the farmers in your area. Give the gift of ultra-fresh food. How it works: The local CSA farms sell "shares," which are like memberships or subscriptions, to people in their area, and then provide a weekly box or bag of freshly harvested food during the growing season. The shares normally cost a few hundred dollars, but vary by farm. You can also check out the "Get Local Info" tool on TheDailyGreen.com homepage.

Recycled Glassware Collection from Target

recycled glass, glassware, recycled glass gifts, green wedding, wedding gifts, weddings, wedding registry, target

Made from 100 percent recycled glass, Luigi Bormioli's glassware collection from Target is both beautiful and affordable. All of the newlywed's glassware needs will be met with just one set for $22.49, including a pitcher, goblets, tumblers, divided dish, and chip and dip serving set.

Organic Gardening Kit from Organic and Nature

gardening, organic gardening, garden tools, green wedding, wedding gifts, weddings, wedding registry, organic and nature organic gardening kit from organic and nature

There is nothing better than walking out to your garden, picking fresh fruits and veggies, and eating them that evening without worrying about pesticides, recalls or where your food came from. This gardening starter kit from Organic and Nature has everything the newlyweds will need to begin home-growing herbs, fruits or vegetables, including a canvas tote, five tools, gloves and all natural plant food and soil booster for $19.95.

Comprehensive Organic Gardening Book from Barnes & Noble

organic gardening, organic gardening book, organic garden, ogranic gardeining guide, barnes & noble, green weddings, wedding gifts, weddings, wedding registry, gifts a to z guide to organic gardening by tanya denckla

Organic gardening is a great way for your newlywed friends to build a healthier life together, but it does take some skill. Tanya Denckla's The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food is one of the most popular gardening companions, with directions for care of 765 different types of herbs, vegetables, fruit and nuts. Order it from Barnes & Noble for $21.33, and help get their garden started.

Beautiful Entertaining Dishes from Terrestera

weddings, green weddings, wedding gifts, wedding registry, gifts, recycled glass gifts, recycled glass, recycled glass dishes, recycled glass dinnerware recycled glass dishes from terrestera by riverside designs

Dishes by Riverside Designs from Terrestera are made from post-industrial recycled glass, but the newlyweds' guests will never be able to guess due to their luxurious design. Handcrafted by experienced artisans, these dishes, starting at $26 a piece, are perfect for dinner parties and special occasions. Also check out Riverside's Plates with Purpose collections, which benefit charities such as the National Autism Association and Court Appointed Special Advocates and start at $36.

Wine of the Month Club from the Organic Wine Company

organic wine company,wine, organic wines, wine clubs, wine of the month, green wedding, wedding gifts, wedding registry, weddings wine bottles

The newlyweds will have much to celebrate for months after their nuptials. Toast them with an earth-friendly alternative to a classic gift: a membership to the Organic Wine Company's Wine of the Month Club. For $49.99 per month, three bottles of the company’s best wine will be shipped to the couple’s home.

Natural Grain Acacia Serving Bowl from Bambeco

bowl, acacia wood, serving bowls, green wedding, wedding gifts, weddings, wedding registry, bambeco acacia wood serving bowl form bambeco

Straight out of a still life, this wood serving bowl from Bambeco has natural beauty. For $64, it's made from the ever-sturdy (and sustainable) acacia wood, so it will provide years of holding fresh fruit or serving salads.

National Parks Annual Pass

park, national park, pass national park, wedding gifts, green wedding, weddings, wedding registry national park pass

Each of the 58 national parks and 74 national monuments sprinkled across the country is accessible with The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass sold in the USGS online store for $80. Give the newlyweds the gift of enjoying the natural wonders their home state has to offer. The pass covers the holder and up to three accompanying adults (no entry fee for those 15 and under), so one pass will cover the couple plus two friends, perfect for double dates!

Basic Ivory Blanket and Sheets from Loop

weddings, wedding registry, green wedding, wedding gifts, gifts, organic cotton, green bedding, bedding, ogranic cotton blanket, loop ivory woven blanket and sheets from loop

On every couple's wish list are basics such as sheet sets and blankets, but cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops. For a great alternative to traditional cotton products, check out these organic cotton woven blankets and basic sheet sets from Loop. The Ivory blankets run $95-$155, and sheet prices vary by color and size.

Sweet Dreams Bamboo 500 Tread Count Sheets

sheets, wedding sweet dreams bamboo 500 tread count sheets

The bride and groom will sleep like royalty on these amazingly soft sheets from Sweet Dreams Bamboo. Made of 100% bamboo and boasting a luxurious sateen finish, these sheets are a marriage of eco-friendly and elegant. Sheet sets range from $250 to $285, but The Daily Green readers get a $20 discount by using this coupon code #SDB-20-FROM-TDG .

Organic Cotton Bed Sets

weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts, under the canopy, linens organic cotton bed sets from under the canopy

Check out Under the Canopy's organic cotton shams, duvets, quilts, pillowcases and more.

Charitable Ideas for Weddings Without Registries

charities, donation, charitable gift, green wedding, wedding gifts, weddings, wedding registry polar bears

When your presence is the only present requested, giving to a charity in the couple's name can be an eco-friendly gesture that makes you and the couple feel good. We suggest supporting conservation efforts by sponsoring an animal at the local zoo or adopting a polar bear with The World Wildlife Fund's adoption program. Or you can consult Charity Navigator, a watchdog's list of financially responsible environmental organizations, before donating to the cause of your choice.

Bamboo Serving Spoons

branchhome, bambu, spoons, forks, utensils, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts bamboo serving spoons, assorted colors, from bambu at branchhome

BranchHome, one set of spoon and fork $12

Organic Cotton Pillowcases

under the canopy, pillowcases, pillows, organic cotton, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts organic cotton pillowcases on pillows by under the canopy

Under the Canopy, $36-$40

Stainless Steel Compost Pail

clean air gardening, compost pail, composting, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts stainless steel compost pail from clean air gardening

Clean Air Gardening, $39.99

Recycled Aluminum Bark Candlesticks

vivaterra, candlesticks, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts recycled aluminum bark candlesticks from vivaterra

VivaTerra, $179

Organic Cotton Duvets

under the canopy, duvets, linens, organic cotton, bed sets, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts white organic cotton duvet and bed set from under the canopy

Under the Canopy, $110-$150

Cork Serving Bowls

vivaterra, cork, serving bowls, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts cork serving bowls from vivaterra, with ice and grapes

VivaTerra, $39.99

Electric Scooter

ego, electric vehicles, scooters, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts electric scooter from ego vehicles

eGO Vehicles, $1,549-$2,149

Organic Cotton Towels

under the canopy, towels, organic cotton, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts white organic cotton towels from under the canopy

Under the Canopy, $8 and up.

Sustainable Wood Frames

vivaterra, wood, frames, picture frames, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts sustainable wood picture frames from vivaterra

VivaTerra, $139

Natural Rush Ottomans

gaiam, ottomans, rushes, furniture, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts natural rush ottomans from gaiam

Gaiam, $79

Recycled Glass Pitchers

branchhome, recycled glass, pitchers, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts blue recycled glass pitchers from branchhome

BranchHome, $158

Recycled Newspaper Vases

target, recycled paper, vases Recycled Newspaper Vases

Target, $29.99-$39.99

Organic Cotton Sheet Sets

organic cotton, sheets, under the canopy, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts organic cotton sheet sets from under the canopy

Under the Canopy, sets range from $120-$190

Acacia Wood Storage Cubes

gaiam, acacia, storage, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts Acacia Wood Storage Cubes

Gaiam, $158-$198

Recycled Glass Vases

branchhome, vases, recycled glass, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts Recycled Glass Vases

BranchHome, $314

His and Hers Organic Cotton Robes

under the canopy, robes, organic cotton, weddings, wedding registry, green weddings, wedding gifts, gifts organic cotton robes from under the canopy

Under the Canopy, $48

Comments  |  Add a comment

Share

ADVERTISEMENT

Organic Gardening and Lawn Care
Save Energy at Home
Purify Indoor Air
Green Cleaning
Calculate Your Impact
Search for a location:
Enter your city or zip code to get your local temperature and air quality and find local green food and recycling resources near you.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Daily Green on Twitter
@the_daily_green
72,168 followers
Sign up for The Daily Green's free newsletter!
Hearst Digital Media