Recycled Tin Hanging Bat(s)

It doesn't need to be Halloween to buy someone these Fairtrade Recycled Tin Hanging Bat(s). They look fairly realistic. Try

• museumselection.co.uk
• and
• ebay.co.uk

Eco Paper Pot Maker

Perfect for the planet friendly gardener in your life - the Eco Paper Pot Maker allows them to put old newspapers (or junk mail) to good use. At around £15, they can be found at various retailers, and many garden centres. Try ethicalsuperstore, notonthehighstreet and amazon.

Buy Less this Xmas

If you're anything like me, right about now you're thinking about what to get people for Christmas. Although buying presents is meant to be about the joy of finding a really thoughtful gift that shows how much you care...

...somehow the reality is often a last-minute panic, and gifts that minutes after being received, have already been mentally assigned to the charity shop, or worse.

Instead of giving something that might be unwanted, how about giving a homemade present this year? There’s something about knowing the person has put in all that effort to give you something unique, that's difficult to beat. And it’s not so hard to make good gifts either.

Here's some ideas: Sloe gin (buy gin, pick sloes, combine - pour into a recycled glass bottle ... job done!); sugar body-scrubs in old jars with labels you’ve designed; a photo book; an mp3 mix tape – anything you can think of really. For some alternative inspiration, Max McMurdo from Kirstie's Fill Your House for Free shares his Xmas upcycling ideas on Nigel's eco store blog

And for presents that you do buy, buy vintage (on ebay), buy handmade (on etsy), buy something that people will love, that's resourceful and that doesn’t cost the earth.

About the author
Nigel from Nigel's Eco Store is passionate about reducing our household energy use.


See all GiftGen's 'making' gift ideas here.