Click here to visit our Blog page and make comments or just read through the archives!

Green Weddings Blog Series Part 4 -

Green Weddings Blog Series

Green weddings are becoming the chic choice – hooray!

As we move into the 2010 spring wedding season, GGN has had had an increase of customers desperately searching for green bridal gifts, echo chic gifts for bridal parties, eco friendly wedding favors, paperless invitations, and more. To help our clients further, my parents invited me to guest-write a series of blogs on the topic of ideas for Green Weddings!

GREEN WEDDINGS PART FOUR: BRIDESMAID & GROOMSMAN GIFTS

Finding socially responsible bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts can get tricky. Plastic, monogrammed trinkets like flip-flops & cosmetic bags seem to be the most popular gifts for brides to give these days. Tacky synthetic t-shirts and beer mugs are "go-to"/default Groomsmen gift favorites. Bridal websites are "littered" with these types of things.

But not only have you chosen the most special people you know to take part in your wedding (as 'select" members of your wedding party)… you are having a GREEN WEDDING! That means it’s equally as important to honor them with a gift that expresses your friendship and gratitude, as it is for you to honor the planet.

Since you’ve worked so hard to make your special day as eco-friendly as possible… it seems like the green gift-giving should be the easiest part!

So I’m taking the time to gather together the best & brightest (as in GREENEST) ideas for bridesmaid and groomsmen gift options.

Green Gifts For Bridesmaids:

A personal approach is to put together gift baskets/bags yourself. Fair Trade Gift sites are brimming with eco-friendly products for women! Think: beeswax, or soy candles; Organic Coffees, Teas and chocolates; Natural Soaps; Handmade beaded/silver jewelry. Tree-free stationary. Click on the following link to see Good Gift’s Naturally’s terrific selection of green gifts for your bridesmaids .

Now, don’t forget, that if you are putting together a group of items for each person, watch how you wrap the gifts so that your maids don’t end up throwing away tons of discarded wrapping paper.

A tote bag is a GREAT way to resolve that issue! Not only is it a gift that absolutely never goes out of style, but will be re-used for all sorts of things: from keeping their personal necessities organized and close at hand on "your" day; to acting as a "go-to" re-usable shopping bag--specifically, replacing wasteful plastic and paper bags at the store. You can chose to go an extra step by monogramming each bag--but be sure  to choose a vendor that makes the bags out of recycled cotton fabric--and you’ll have a terrific, personalized AND eco-chic thank-you present that every bridesmaid will love and (most importantly) everyone else will envy.

Green Gifts for Groomsmen:

Normally I don’t like to generalize, but…"dudes" do love gadgets and other toys. Solar chargers make terrific gifts, and can be used for laptops, cell phones, I-phones and more. And handmade puzzles that stretch the mind and make for timeless and tasteful desktop accessories are also very popular.

Remember that men like to be pampered too (though they seldom admit it in public)! Fantastic eco-friendly shaving accessories and other spa oriented products are always appreciated.

Food is another "no-brainer" that is greatly appreciated. Think: Organic Coffee or Tea! We at Good Gifts Naturally just love pairing packaged hot beverage presents with an incredible re-usable travel mug.

If you feel the need to go for the "tried-and-true" t-shirt, there are so many cool companies making clothing now out of: bamboo; organic cotton: and even recycled plastic bottle that you will definitely not feel choice/option restricted. Every man deserves the opportunity to look great and support the planet at the same time.

If you’re looking for a way to package more that one item in a green & "manly-man" fashion, the male world’s "tote-bag" equivalent is the messenger bag. Taking the time to find one made from a recycled material will reinforce just how much you really do care.

Here's a link that will enable you get a look at Good Gift’s Naturally’s terrific selection of green gifts for men.

If you have given or received any other fantastic eco-chic gifts, we’d love for you to share with us and others who follow us on this blog!

Please add your comments below!

Happy Weddings!

-Jodi Baker