11 Ways to Give Without Giving Stuff

An octopus might make for a badass pet, but you can do one better by preserving the ocean ecosystems that support those strange creatures. Adopt a sea creature in your friend's name with Oceana, and you can still give a physical gift: a stuffed animal or an octopus-shaped cookie cutter. (Just imagine the Christmas cookies you can make with that!) The money goes to support ocean conservation efforts and costs. $35 at oceana.org.

Also See:
> 9 Facts About Ocean Conservation
> 12 Bizarre Sea Creatures
> The 13 Most Endangered Sea Creatures

What to get the person who has everything? Simply: Nothing. Or, nothing directly. Instead, give a gift to people who really need it – a woman struggling to start a business in an impoverished country, clean water to a village suffering from cholera or any number of charitable donations. Changing the Present has dozens of ideas.

Also See:
> 3 Sites to Check Before Giving to Charity
> 3 Ways to Give to Charity While Shopping Online
> 4 Ways to Give to Charity by Recycling Your Cell Phone

Surprise your loved one by making arrangements for your next vacation together – and make it a vacation that's about more than sipping cocktails or gazing at historic architecture. Volunteer vacations are a chance to give back to local communities, restore and protect local ecosystems or otherwise help out while enjoying a holiday. The testimonials from vacationers tell the tale: They can be more satisfying and offer a greater sense of renewal than even the most relaxing getaways. Find a list of 15 volunteer vacation ideas at thedailygreen.com.

Also See:
> 10 Endangered Vacations
> The World's Best Ecotourism Destinations
> How to Plan an Ecotourism Vacation

A camping trip or a volunteer vacation isn't for everyone. For those more inclined to indulge during their time off, treat them to an organic wine tour. Sip fine wines and enjoy beautiful scenery at one of hundreds of organic vineyard across the country. Begin your search at Organic Wine Journal for the perfect vacation spot for the organic oenophile on your list.

Also See:
> 19 Gift Ideas for Wine Lovers
> 8 Boxed Wines and the Meals to Pair Them With
> All About Organic Wine

What's better than fresh farm-grown veggies every week? When someone gives you those veggies as a gift! Set up a friend with her own share of a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm and she'll receive produce throughout the season, while you support a local farm. Find a local CSA at localharvest.org (price varies).

Also See:
> Delicious Recipes from the Winter Farmers' Market
> 11 Winter Recipes from 11 Celebrity Chefs
> A Photo Tour of Jamaica's First CSA Farm

Do the shopping, seat the guests and prepare a delicious meal in a loved one's honor. For dinner, choose organic and seasonal ingredients (like the acorn squash dish pictured here). What's better than the gift of good food and good company?

Also See:
> The Daily Green's Recipe Archive
> 5 Healthy and Hearty Soups
> Dozens of Seasonal Winter Recipes

Have an urban treehugger on your list? Dedicate a city tree in his or her name at TreePeople, a nonprofit organization offering sustainable solutions to urban ecosystem problems. $25-$100 at treepeople.com.

Or, adopt a tree that offers your loved one its fruit:
> Apple trees: $275 per tree at myecofarmer.com, plus $55 annually for farming and maintenance, plus $30 per box of apples.
> Organic peach trees: $500 per tree at masumoto.com, plus the time and effort to harvest the fruit in Fresno, Calif.
> "Truffle trees": $299 truffle-tree.com, plus $69 in annual care and maintenance, for the tree and all the mushrooms that sprout beneath it.
> Various trees: $100 per tree at petalumabounty.org.

Also See:
> 7 Scrumptious Apple Recipes
> Which Is Better for the Environment, a Real or Fake Christmas Tree?
> How Planting a Tree Can Slash Your Energy Bill by 30%

Cleaning's a drag. What better gift, then, but a whole-house cleaning? Perhaps this: A whole-house cleaning using only sustainable nontoxic cleaning products. That's just what cleaning services like Maid Brigade or Green Maid Inc. offer. Green cleaning products are just as effective without all the harmful toxins. It's good for any home and good for the environment. And if a professional cleaning isn't in your budget, offer to do it yourself.

Also See:
> How to Make Your Own Green Cleaning Supplies
> 7 Things You Can Clean with Baking Soda
> 7 Smart Uses for Vinegar

We tend to explore when we're on vacation, but chances are there are activities, museums, shops and restaurants in your own town that you haven't checked out. Staying local is a great way to support small businesses and save money and gas. Think about picking up a local travel book at the library, or visit a local tourism Website, and have fun picking out activities for your date – think quirky theatre performances and historical walking tours of the streets you walk down every day.

Also See:
> How to Find the Best Local Hikes
> The 7 Rules of Budget Travel
> 20+ Ecotourism Vacation Ideas

Often the best gift is a bit of peace and quiet. Give a gift certificate for a stay at a bed and breakfast, or choose a bed and breakfast that's a member of the Green Hotels Association.

Also See:
> The 10 Most Romantic Ecotourism Destinations
> How to Pack Like a Cheapskate
> How to Purchase a Carbon Offset You Can Trust