Go green with these baby gift ideas

The arrival of a new baby is indeed a glorious event, but along with that momentous occasion comes the need for myriad baby items:  furniture, strollers, walkers, toys, clothes, diapers, etc. These - and other baby accessories - can create a huge carbon footprint for the poor child before he ever sees the light of day!

If you're serious about going green, you can choose baby gifts with environmental consciousness in mind.  Finding green baby gifts is relatively easy, and here are a few ideas to get you started:

Secondhand gifts

Buying secondhand baby gifts may sound distasteful to you, or you may be afraid the parents will think you are a cheapskate.  If you are the expectant parents, let your friends and family know that it's OK with you if they give "pre-loved" gifts.  Each secondhand item that finds a new home leaves that much more space in our landfills and is one less new item that needs to be manufactured. 

Secondhand baby items are often in like new condition and still have lots of use in them.  You may be able to pick up a stroller, high chair, walker, diaper bags, clothing, blankets, and other baby needs for a song at a thrift or consignment shop. If you have serious reservations about giving a secondhand gift, consider pitching in with other friends or family members on one large gift, like a Pack-n-Play or stroller, that you know the parents need.

Cloth diapers

Give the baby a gift of a cloth diaper starter kit.  Even if the parents insist on using disposable diapers in spite of your attempt to persuade them otherwise, the cloth diapers make excellent burp cloths and you can't have too many of those!  Eco-friendly parents who already use cloth diapers may appreciate a gift certificate for a diaper laundry service.

Recycled paper gifts

Gift the baby with books printed on recycled paper.  It doesn't really matter if the book is for infants or not; they will still enjoy the pictures and the sound of being read to.

Coupons

Give a coupon for babysitting hours and a gift certificate to the couple's favorite restaurant or a movie.  This gives you an excuse to spend time with the new baby and bond with him/her, and the parents get a relaxing evening alone knowing their child is in capable, loving hands. 

Digital photos

Take digital photos of the new arrival and print them out. Using digital photography is an environmentally-conscious way to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals used for developing pictures.  Assemble the photos in a scrapbook (of recycled paper) or photo album for the parents to show off and enjoy.

Alternative materials

Buy baby clothing, linens, furniture, toys and accessories that are made from eco-friendly alternatives such as hemp, organic cotton and bamboo instead of hardwood, plastic, or synthetic fabrics.   You can find many online stores that offer socially conscious baby supplies by googling "green baby gifts."

Wooden toys

Wooden toys outlast plastic and don't pose potential health risks from the phthalate softeners used in PVC manufacturing.  Buying new wooden toys will contribute to the depletion of our natural hardwood forests, however.  Visit thrift shops and yard sales to find vintage wooden toys that still have a lot of play left in them, or make them yourself from lumber scraps. 

Some lumber supply stores will have small pieces left over from other customers' orders.  The tree has already been cut, so you might as well recycle the leftover pieces!