ecobites

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

If you're thinking about buying a classic Father's Day gift, why not make it a little different and go green?

According to the annual US Brand Keys Father's Day survey, the 2012 average anticipated spend for Dad is up 10%, moving up from the trend where consumers usually spend 15-20% more on Mom than on Dad for special days.

"That's precisely the increase we saw for Mother's Day spending this year," said Robert Passikoff, president, Brand Keys, the New York-based brand and customer loyalty research consultancy that conducts the national survey.

"The 2012 survey also indicates a slightly higher number of consumers (75%, up 4% from 2011) will be celebrating as last year. Those that are will be spending an average of $136.00 to recognize Dad."

As part of the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, the firm polled a national sample of 5250 men and women, ages 18-60, asking if and how they were planning to celebrate Father's Day. Here is what celebrants indicated they were looking to buy for Dad this year. (Parentheses indicate any percent-changes from last year): we have added a green touch:

Gift cards 39% (+4%)

Not sure what to get dear old dad?

Give him a Gift Certificate from a local/green/ eco store, and he can pick out his own present.

Check out this DIY tool box for your dad's gift card at pinterest

Gift a Membership to a Green Organization

If papa is an animal lover,consider the National Wildlife Federation. Want to protect the planet?  How about a Sierra Club membership?  If your dad loves spending time outdoors, find your local Audubon Society. 

Electronics 20% (-6%)

If dad's receive any new electronics or cell phones as gifts, recycle those old phones and the used rechargeable batteries from the devices they’ll be replacing.
 
With the help of Call2Recycle, the only no-cost rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in North America, dads can recycle the used rechargeable batteries from their old devices (cell phones, digital cameras, cordless power tools, laptops, etc.) at any of its drop-off locations at community collection sites and retailers nationwide such as Best Buy, RadioShack and The Home Depot.

Clothing 23% ( -0- )

Ties. Hey, it's the old standby, right?  But go organic! 

Rawganique Hemp neck ties are classy, elegant, versatile, earth-friendly, and cut & hand sewn from 100% organic Romanian hemp that is grown and processed without chemicals or pesticides of any kind. Now dad can truly "show your fibers" (in different colors to suit to moods and style) at work and on the evening out!

Available in many bleach-free fiber-reactive-dyed colors: Natural (undyed), Forest Green, Midnight Blue, Licorice Black, Burgundy, Passion Flower (very close to Indigo in tone), Ivory (hydrogen peroxide), Autumn Russet, Oxford Blue, Hazy Evening, and Sage.

Tools/Automotive 20% (+1%)

At EcoGeekLiving, they carry a huge selection of sustainable solutions for everyday living!

For the homesteading dad, considering some gardening or other homesteading type tools.

Sporting Goods 10% (+4%)

Wine/Alcohol 8% (+3%)

Choose organic beer or wine. They’re better for dad's health and the planet, and they taste good, too. Why not try making some at home? It’s safe, legal, drastically reduces transportation impacts, and can be much cheaper. Home beer- and wine-making gives you the freedom to concoct a beverage tailored to your personal palate, allows you to reuse glass bottles over and over again, and often requires very little in start-up costs.

Books/eBooks 5% (+4%)

Browse the Sierra Club's online store to find outdoorsy volumes for dads of all persuasions. To celebrate Father's Day, Sierra Club's offering a special deal: Use the discount code DAD2012 at checkout to get 20 percent off!

DVDs/CDs 2% (-1%)

A family video or DVD of the children with Dad or Grandpa, wrapped with a packet of organic popcorn and seasoning mix.

Eco Small Bites for Dad

Check out antique shops, thrift shops, and more for neat finds for Dad!

Something to plant. 

Join dad for a course from winemaking to cheesemaking.

Gift the Gift of Time for the Minimalist Dad.

For the father who has everything and wants absolutely nothing, the gift of time is the perfect gift. Take a day off and spend it with your father. Read, talk, go for a walk, talk some more, eat at an organic cafe, talk and just spend the day catching up with the most special man in your life.

Hopefully your Father’s Day will be filled with good family times, whether it’s a gathering, a long phone call or a nice card. However you celebrate, if you’re gifting this year, and need more ideas, check out our A-Z gift guide for some interesting and unique environmentally conscious ideas. Happy Father’s Day!