Holiday Gifts for Children - Can they be green AND fun?

YES! There are fabulous green gifts out there for all ages. At The Well-Rounded Child, our criteria for childrens' goods generally follows that the item must be organic/natural and made in the USA. However, some things just aren't made in the USA, and there are other countries out there that do a beautiful job - some with a much deeper and older history than the US in developing a specific item.

That being said, the primary reason we sell goods made in the USA is of course to support our US businesses and the economy in general, but there is another "green" reason: buying as local as possible means a smaller carbon footprint, and if you haven't noticed lately, Mother Earth seems to be having her unwanted share of hot flashes, so we'll do our part to help keep her cool.

So what toys can you buy in the USA that are green AND super fun? My first pick would be the Tea Set and Cookware & Dining Set made by Green Toys, which are on sale in our Green Things Boutique!

For your creative builders, Stonees are a great hit as there is virtually no end to the way in which a child may build or use the stones. While they are made just a short jaunt away in Canada, they too fit our green criteria. And don't be fooled - the rich colors of the stones are NOT dyes, paints, or otherwise - it is the natural pigment of the rocks, which makes each set unique.

For your snuggle bug, I highly recommend a Sock Monkey. They have been a big hit with all our customers - great as baby gifts, superb stocking-stuffers, and wonderful cuddle toys for your preschoolers.

Outside of WRC, I have some other personal favorites:

• Keva Planks - fantastic free-form building kit; great with marbles!
• Waste-Free Lunch Bags - you can find fabulous kits, bags, and containers on Etsy, at Kids Konserve, and Reusablebags.com
• Maple Landmark Wooden Toys - from trains and puzzles to rattles and rocking horses, they make wonderful wood crafts for all ages - and they are all made in the USA!

You don't even have to buy new things to make a great present - handing down a treasured toy from an older sibling makes a heartfelt gift or making something from goods you already have at home can be fun too, such as blankets or doll clothes from fabric scraps, mittens and hats from old yarn, and building blocks from wood scraps (untreated, of course).

Whatever gifts you choose to give this holiday season, consider how you might give green.