You dropped hints, posted on your Facebook wall and even flat out told your relatives exactly what you wanted for your holiday gift, but sadly, you still ended up getting a Snuggie. But wait! Before you throw in the (in this case, fleecy) white towel, did you know that you can still swap, sew, sell or even steal your way to the holiday gift you really wanted? Read on to see our 5 tips on what you can do to take your happiness into your own hands – and get that Snuggie to someone who actually wants it!

Read the rest of HOW TO: Swap, Sell or Steal Your Way to the Holiday Gift You Really Wanted

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Read the rest of 14 Last Minute Gifts for the Green Procrastinator

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Giving someone a great gift they’ll really treasure doesn’t mean dropping a ton of cash. Sometimes the best gift you can give someone is something much less tangible: your time. This year skip the store-bought gifts and give your loved ones a little bit of your time instead. We’ve come up with 11 lovely ideas that are sure to yield plenty of love and memories this holiday season. From cooking them their favorite meal to hosting a movie night featuring all of their favorite flicks, read on for our favorite gifts of time.

GIFTS OF TIME >

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‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the green house
“We’re not ready for Christmas yet!” the whole family groused
They’d all been too busy working and living
Seems like only a day had passed since Thanksgiving!
But they knew they still wanted a green holiday
So they prepared to celebrate thoughtfully – they could do it in just 1 day!

Read the rest of ‘Twas the Night Before (a Green) Christmas…

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This holiday season, double up on your do-gooding by gifting your loved ones items that that not only do well by the environment, but also give back to the community. There are tons of great organizations and companies out there working hard to bring us products that are not only gentle on the earth, but support important causes and initiatives around the globe. From delicious wines to stylish sunglasses to cute teddy bears, check out these 15 fantastic gift ideas that also give back!

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK >

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This holiday season, skip the consumer madness and get crafty! Why not give your friends and family hand-made one-of-a-kind gifts that you made with a little of your own elbow grease (and we don’t mean the kind you use to knock people out of the way on Black Friday). With so many easy online tutorials available these days, there are many wonderful DIY gifts you can whip up in a jiffy for little to no money, and your gift recipients will be touched that you went out of your way to make something especially for them. From homemade lip balms to home-made DIY texting gloves to terrarium necklaces and ornaments, we’ve got some great make-it-yourself gift ideas in our guide for everyone.

MAKE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE DIY GIFTS >

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INHABITAT 2012 GREEN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE >

The Inhabitat Green Gift Guide is back again this year and it’s chock full of eco-conscious gifts “yule” love! Whether you’re shopping for your mom, dad, siblings, better half, kids, friends or co-workers, we’ve got all kinds of beautifully designed, sustainable and unique options that they’ll be delighted to find stuffed in their stockings. We’ve featured all kinds of green toys, accessories, home goods and gadgets, but we also think it’s important to point out that gifts don’t have to be bought in a store. Sometimes the best presents are not even physical knick-knacks at all, so we’ve provided some inspiration for crafty DIY presents you can make yourself and thoughtful “gifts of time” that show how much you care. No matter what your budget, there’s something in our green guide for everyone on your list, so get a head start on your eco-friendly holiday gift-giving right here!

GREEN GIFTS UNDER $20 >
GREEN GIFTS UNDER $50 >
MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS >
ECO GIFTS FOR HER >
ECO GIFTS FOR HIM >
GREEN GIFTS FOR MOM AND DAD >
GREEN GIFTS FOR TOTS >
ECO GIFTS FOR GIRLS >
ECO GIFTS FOR BOYS >
GREEN GIFTS FOR THE HOME >
GIFTS FOR THE GREEN THUMB >
GREEN GADGET GIFTS >
GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK >
COZY KNIT GIFTS >
GREEN JEWELRY GIFTS >
CUSTOMIZED GIFTS >
GIFTS OF TIME >

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If you’re still interested in helping those affected by Hurricane Sandy, many artists and designers are making it extra easy for you to do so by offering up some great choices for gifts that support the cause. You don’t have to do anything extra besides picking up some cool presents for your friends and family, and the recipients will surely appreciate the fact that your purchase will aid people who really need it for the holidays and beyond.

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Read the rest of 10 Architectural Gingerbread Creations from 2012 to Make You Salivate!

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Though you may not always see eye to eye, the holidays are still a time to show your parents how much you love them. After all, you’d be nowhere without them (literally). It’s also a chance to introduce mom and dad to greener living with sustainable gifts they’ll love. We’ve rounded up 14 fabulous presents for the rents in our Green Gift Guide – from handy hooks made from real twigs to reusable stainless steel straws – so check them out now!

GREEN GIFTS FOR MOM AND DAD >

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One of the easiest ways to ensure that a holiday gift will be liked by the recipient is to personalize it to suit their taste. Nowadays it’s easy to create one-of-a-kind, customized gifts for everyone on your list, and the likelihood that such a special present will get trashed or shoved in a closet somewhere is a lot lower than a bland, cookie cutter item. From cufflinks featuring the silhouettes of loved ones to custom mini books with pics from their personal Instagram feed to furniture inlaid with their own photos, flip through our customized gift guide to see all of our suggestions.

CUSTOMIZED GIFTS >

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Whether your loved ones live in apartments, lofts, or off-grid abodes, it’s always nice to give them sustainable gifts for that place they call home. We’ve rounded up 21 glorious gift ideas that range from a warm blanket to cozy up with on those especially chilly days to a top-of-the-line programmable thermostat that will help them knock hundreds of dollars off their utility bills— check out all of our green gifts for the home ahead!

GREEN GIFTS FOR THE HOME >

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We’ve scoured dozens of online stores that offer sustainable, responsible and radiant jewelry and picked 20 of the best for you. From the forget-me-knot ring and starfish cuff to real sugar studs and terrarium necklaces, these gifts are made with love by people who respect the earth. Some gifts are made with recycled materials, like the cardboard ring, while others are made with conflict-free gems left in their natural state. If you want to treat the lady in your life to something truly special this year, then look no further than our carefully-curated gift guide.

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Dolls, ribbons and ponies may seem like the traditional presents to give to little ladies, but today’s modern girl is interested in much more than that. Instead of opting for some of the more staid choices, why not give her a green gift that will cultivate her creativity and perhaps even inspire a future career or passion? If you’re looking for ideas, check out our green gift guide for girls filled with unique and eco-conscious bits and baubles – from a mini farm with visible roots to a dollhouse that teaches all about renewable energy to art supplies made of veggies – that she’ll love.

GIFTS FOR GIRLS >

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If you’d like to give your loved ones handmade gifts but lack the time to make them yourself, why not check out our handy gift guide featuring 14 gifts made by local and global artisans. From a flawless grass basket from Uganda, brazil nut candles from Peru, and a handcrafted silver plate from Morocco, these gifts are made with sustainable materials and benefit the craftspeople who produced them. Be sure to step in and have a look at these 14 great green gifts – there’s something for everyone!

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There was a time when only the rich could afford the latest cool eco gadgets – but now there are so many to choose from it’s hard to know what’s good and what’s not. That’s why we’ve put together a sound list of sustainable gifts that the green geek in your life will love. From foldable eco-speakers to a solar-powered Nokero reading light, a water-powered clock and even a tablet stand and keyboard made from bamboo, these gifts are both fun and sustainable. Hit the jump to check out our nifty guide, and feel free to pass it on if you’re so inspired.

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For those of us living in the northern hemisphere, the holiday season involves cold weather, warm beverages, and cuddly knits to help us stay warm. To help get everyone on your list bundled up and cozy, we’ve put together a green guide of 20 lovely gifts that are both earth and human-friendly. In addition to super soft alpaca glittens and a range of other hats and gloves that protect heads and hands, we’ve included a knitted yoga ball, comfy cushion covers and even gift cards with knitted detailing. It’s a great year to give the gift of warmth, and our handy guide will get you off to a good start.

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Trying to figure out which gifts will make the holidays bright for your little ones without resorting to plastic toys from the local big box shop? We’ve taken the guesswork out of the whole process with our Green Gift Guide for Tots filled with sustainable, eco-friendly presents that are just as good for the earth as they are for your kids. From cool crayons that look like rocks to motor skill-enhancing beehive blocks to cute and cuddly squirrel finger puppets, here are 16 of our top ideas for you to choose from.

GREEN GIFTS FOR TOTS >

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Guys can be notoriously hard to shop for, but fear not – our 2012 Green Holiday Gift Guide is here to take all the guesswork out of giving presents to fathers, brothers, sons, and friends. From a set of classic sunglasses made from reclaimed wood to a stylish bamboo wristwatch and a dashing tweed blazer perfectly suited to riding a bike, read on for our top green gifts for him!

GREEN GIFTS FOR HIM >

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