The holidays are approaching quickly. Are you looking to make a difference in your gift giving this year? There are lots of choices when it comes to holiday giving. Will you choose practical or pretty? Something fun or something fancy? No matter your giving preferences, we encourage you to research the purchases you make. Are there ‘greener’ options? Have you sourced the best products, the best materials? Are you supporting companies with ethical business practices? 21 Acres has a tool that will help you make an informed decision, with every dollar you spend, every purchase you make.*

For many months, 21 Acres has been compiling a directory of ‘Green Resources.’ We continuously conduct research, looking for new products and services that are energy efficient, free of harmful chemicals, are made in the USA, and companies that pride themselves in embracing these criteria. We’ve added a new section to the directory for the holiday, thinking ahead to all those purchases you might be considering for your family and friends. Below are just a few examples. Make it a “Green” Friday this holiday and every day whenever you make a purchase!

At the moment, an abbreviated version of the “Green Products and Services” directory lives here on the 21 Acres Blog, and gets updated regularly. Keep in mind some businesses cross categories with a broad variety of products. And, remember to always read the labels and fine print! For the complete Excel file of the Directory (with e-mails, web links, etc.), send an e-mail to generalinfo@21acres.org and we’ll send you the current version. The new 21 Acres website, when it launches in 2016, will make the Directory easily accessible for the public to review and add their own products and resources to share. In the interim, if you have ‘green’ items or services to share, we’d love to hear from you. Post your comment or information below and we’ll get it added to the directory.

Happy holidays, and happy “green” shopping, from all of us at 21 Acres.

* Read “Consumers Define Economic Future – Every Dollar Counts” written by HumanLinks Foundation President and 21 Acres founder, Gretchen Garth. 

TOYS & BOOKS
Seven Acre Toys
Smiling Tree
Eco-Friendly Mama USA
Snapdoodle Toys (stores located in Redmond and Kenmore)
Third Place Books (stores located in Ravenna and Lake Forest Park)

Just added: Pure Play Kids (organic stuffed animals)

CANDLES, SPA, GIFTS ETC.
Rare Earth Naturals
Liberty Bottles
Pelindaba Lavender (store located in the San Juan Islands)

BABY ITEMS
Glo-Organic
Pact
Cozy Pure
Natural Clothing Company (store located in Snohomish)
Smart Mommy Healthy Baby

CLOTHING-Women, Men, Baby, Kids, Outdoor, Socks, Shoes
Natural Clothing Company (store located in Snohomish)
Blue Canoe
RocknSocks
Pact
Ibex
Echo Verde
Natural World Eco

TEA, CHOCOLATE,  FOOD
Theo’s Chocolate (store located in Seattle)
Choice Organic Teas
Pelindaba Lavender (store located in the San Juan Islands)

21 Acres  (store located in Woodinville; gift certificates available for Culinary Classes and the Farm Market)

BATH, KITCHEN, HOME,  ETC.
Common Good Market
Preserve
NUBE Green (store located in Seattle)

JEWELRY, LUGGAGE, BAGS AND GIFTS
Eco-Artware
Red Oxx Manufacturing
http://www.redoxx.com/

BUSINESS & TECH
Pong
Red Oxx Manufacturing

LINENS, BEDDING AND MORE
Cozy Pure
Pendleton

FURNITURE, FINISHES, RUGS, HOME
Lazar
Common Good Market
Pendleton

OFF-GRID, HOMESTEAD PRODUCTS
Real Goods

HAIR AND PERSONAL PRODUCTS:
Olivia Garden
Pelindaba Lavender (store located in the San Juan Islands)
Rare Earth Naturals
Environmental Working Group
Smart Mommy Healthy Baby

Other great websites and resources to delve further:
http://blog.nature.org/green-gift-holidays/
http://www.greenamerica.org/green-gifts-guide/
http://commongoodmarket.com/vision/
http://www.ecolife.com/
http://inhabitat.com/greenholidaygiftguide/
http://www.ewg.org/

Other organizations doing good work:
The Nature Conservancy
EcoTrust
Environmental Working Group