Comments on: INHABITAT GREEN GIFT GUIDE!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:57:43 +0000

I’m reading this a bit late, but just wanted to let you know that I love this green gift guide! I’m excited I found it as a resource, albeit after the holidays! Please keep up the great work and don’t let discouraging comments get you down.

By: kiki

kiki — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:06:28 +0000

Since the most precious gift that we can give to others AND ourselves–is time, the fact that you and Emily did the research so I don’t have to is already a great gift–thank you! Living and giving thoughtfully and generously is a good thing. All year long.

By: Kia

Kia — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:53:03 +0000

Thank you Jill, I’m sure the readers do appreciate the research, another desiger did tell me how thorough she thought it was. They are a vast improvement from what most of us probably gave as gifts 5-10 years ago when green wasn’t the buzz. And I do like it! For the future, packaging is really important as well and to some readers, can you guys also include that into the research?

Readers, be more constructive rather than attacking! How about we give our editors some feedback that makes sense for the masses rather than assume that everyone has the time to stitch a sweater, bake cookies or bead a necklace?

And for those who insist on not purchasing ANYTHING new and have no time for home made gifts, how about a having a party instead? Insist everyone carpool, only purchase edible items and play holiday music…voila!! Let’s think peaceful.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:10:46 +0000

Hey Sam, Maria and Complex-

I think its pretty obvious to most people that cutting back on consumption is the best way to cut down your environmental footprint. That said, this scolding attitude you have here is not going to stop people from buying gifts this holiday season. And since people are going to spend a lot of money and buy a lot of gifts, I think its important to try to encourage people to be thoughtful about what they are buyijng. It is true that our society is getting more and more consumerist but enjoyment of consumption is instrinsic to human psychology. People like to shop and purchase new things. You are never going to be able to change this simply by nagging people that they shouldn’t buy anything. What we really need to be doing is being smarter about the psychology of consumption and try to encourage more thoughtful consumption of better-made, longer lasting, recycled and recycable products.

Anyways, I understand your point about consumption, but I have to say that this really bums me out that ALL of the comments on our gift guide so far are negative comments complaining about it. Do you have any idea how hard Emily and I worked on this gift guide? Emily and I worked for WEEKS to scour the internet and put this thing together. Does no-one out there appreciate it?

Readers – if any of you actually LIKE our gift guide – please comment – we’d really love to hear from you! Otherwise, this is pretty discouraging for us and we’ll probably just stop doing it.

-Jill
Editor of Inhabitat

By: Kia

Kia — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:56:47 +0000

Be aware of all the packaging required to send you that pretty green gift, not to mention the wrapping you’ll use to surprise someone for half a second. Let’s be consciously green.

By: Ohplease

Ohplease — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:46:23 +0000

Some people may not have the time to make things or find appropriate second hand products. Equally, some people don’t want to impose their personal disinclination towards seasonal consumption on their friends and family.

Most people expect a present, and they expect it to be new. Get some holiday cheer for crying out load.

I bet this crabby lot are vegans.

By: Marisa

Marisa — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:41:36 +0000

i concur….the best “green” gifts to give during the holidays are homemade gifts or gifts that are not brand new and purchased from a store.

personally, i plan on making lots of cakes and making t-shirts for my friends and family.

By: Complexandcontradictory

Complexandcontradictory — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:19:31 +0000

the best way to be green is to cut down on consumption during the holidays.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:30:50 +0000

How about, as an alternative to consumerism this holiday season, you take a truly green approach and DON’T BUY NEW THINGS. It doesn’t matter how socially conscious the manufacturer of your solar-powered flashlight is, you’re still creating demand for plastics and pollution-spewing trucks on the way to your door.

While the recommended products are good examples of REDUCING the impact they have on our planet, I just don’t see the reason we need to further encourage our deadly obsession with consumption.