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These 8 Gifts Will Please Mother Nature as Much as the Recipient

By Susie Kostaras

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  • Block Shop Textiles produces scarves in India using hand-carved wooden blocks and non-toxic dyes, $120
  • The South End's Follain boats a refillable soap concept that's eco-friendly for three reasons: 1) You cut back on the two million pounds of plastic soap bottles discarded annually; 2) Local sourcing cuts back on your carbon footprint; 3) Glass is m
  • Alex and Ani has grown far beyond its Rhode Island roots, but it still stays true to its mission of using recycled metals from local mills. Plus, with the collection made entirely in the US, less energy goes into getting it to stores. Mermaid bangl
  • Olives & Grace just started stocking San Francisco-made Ambatalia multi-purpose linen goods. One moment the Furoshiki ($42) carries hostess gifts and picnics; the other it's an apron or grocery bag.
  • Somerville's own Cuppow encourages eco-friendly portable beverages and food by default with its reusable products, but its Coffee Sock in particular prevents you from contributing to the landfill while getting your caffeine fix. The Perk Me Up gift
  • We've recently been tipped off to Aberdeen Wood Shop, a new store at 159 Sutherland Road in Brighton and home to reclaimed carpentry items. Take for instance these handmade cutting boards at $75.
  • December Thieves has a whole slew of sustainable stocking stuffers, but we especially adore this pouch from Fritz & Frauelin made with scrap textiles, $38.
  • The Grommet helps people shop by values, so it's no surprise they highlighted a local do-gooder, JoAnne Chirico's Goodlinens. Made from Lithuanian linen (derived from flax plants), these towels (


If someone on your holiday list subscribes to the "think global, act local" manifesto, don't dare gift them something that goes against their eco-friendly vision. Fortunately, Boston is a city concerned with sustainability, and subsequently, there is no shortage of socially responsible merchandise. Here we've compiled 8 easy presents that appeal to Mother Nature from local businesses.

· All 2013 Gift Guides [Racked Boston]