Welcome to my third installment of Affordable Eco Chic Holidays. I’d like to focus on handmade and homemade gifts today. As we know, I absolutely adore www.sprig.com.  They’ve got some great tips on homemade gifst using recycled products and garage sale finds. I found two really innovative ideas on the site, that I’d jump at in a second, to make for the people in my life.

“Give an old, weathered window pane a new life as a photo frame. We love this gift idea for newlyweds. Gather one wedding photo for each pane (ours had six). To create easy photo mats, cut leftover wrapping paper or cardstock to fit inside each pane. Then, center each photo on its mat and secure using a non-toxic paste. Place the frame right-side down and then lay the matted photo (also right-side down) into each pane. Use a staple gun or tiny nails to secure. For extra protection, cut a piece of brown postal paper to cover the back of the frame and tape on. Hang using a picture-hanging kit.” I just love the look of a rustic piece mixed with more modern, elegant decor,  so you don’t have to be worried about matching the gift recipient’s decor.

 Homemade Limoncello!  This would be a great gift for the men in your life. Have you ever met a man who doesn’t love a gift of liquor?”The trick to this classic Italian liquor is letting the lemon peels steep in vodka for at least two weeks or more, so be sure to plan ahead! This recipe calls for a basic mix of sugar, organic lemons and good-quality vodka (we like Square One Organic vodka). Bottle the limoncello in a clean, recycled wine bottle and gift it with a pair of antique glasses like these”. www.sprig.com You could even include some beautiful italian biscuits or cookies.  Mini break to Tuscany anyone?

$ 40.00 on www.bridgetoafrica.com.  My very favorite find! This handmade copper bead bracelet is truly chic with a conscience. These copper wire and bohemian glass bead bracelets are handmade by Zulu women living on the banks of the Tugela River in South Africa.  This site is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and Co-op America, with proceeds from the sales of these products benefit the artisans and their communities, with at least 50% of the product price paid to the artisans groups, and the remainder of the proceeds reinvested in community development, job creation, and training initiatives. They currently work with artisans in Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda and Uganda to design, produce, and market high quality handmade products.  And they’re products are just, hands down, beautiful. Hmmmmm….. I need to get shopping. And always remember, it’s the time we get to spend with the people we love that is truly the gift of this season.

Yay, it’s December!!!! Unfortunately the U.S. is officially in a recession and a lot of us are looking at really cutting back this holiday season. Whether you’re getting creative and crafty to create homemade goodies or are looking for some eco friendly, but reasonably priced offerings, here are some of my favorite suggestions from friends and a few online treasures that you can feel good about giving.

 This is my first installment in this series, but stay tuned in every week for more creative and unique finds on the cheap! Today’s treasures are from www.eco-artware.com and would be totally desirable gifts even if they weren’t sustainable.

These imaginative handmade stuffed critters bring a smile to every child’s face, no matter what their age. Made from clean recycled wool sweaters and stuffed with shredded recycled polyester, each of our piglets, ducklings, penguins and elephants are handmade by the Pear Tree Studio and may be gently handwashed. Because they are made from unique, reused materials, each animal is one of a kind. Whether for decorating or for the toy box, they make a great addition to the family.

$26.00

Jim Mullan and Tori Rhoades create jewelry from recycled watch parts and found objects for their company, Mullanium. Some of their pieces feature recycled metals — copper, brass and steel — plated with silver or enhanced with oxidation to provide an fascinating array of colors and finishes.

$48.00

2008 Snowflake Ornament The designs are created in a small foundry from recycled broken window panes which are then crushed, melted, colored and poured into original molds. Each ornament hangs from a white ribbon (included). This foundry donates all profits to its immediate community.

$10.00

I just love this ornament and it totally goes with my Holiday decor color scheme of red, silver and aqua. Gorgeous and Green!

I’ll be talking about homemade gifts for loved ones tomorrow, that express the personalization and love behind Christmas and not simply adding another posession to someone’s collection.