Father's Day Gift Guide 2009

Maybe he taught you how to ride your first bike, throw a ball or flip the perfect pancake or burger. Or maybe he gave you a lesson in camping, giving you a greater appreciation for the great outdoors. Whatever the case, dad’s do-gooding ways—past and present—certainly deserve a nod this Father’s Day. So whether dad’s that stylish sort of chap, work-a-holic, laid-back naturalist, a dude dipping his toes into the world of green for the first time—or someone full-fledged immersed—use us as your home base for eco-gifts, recipes and ideas that’ll help personalize his Papa’s day in the most special and sustainable way.

TreeHugger’s 2009 Dude-Approved Father’s Day Gift Guide
TreeHugger’s 2008 Father’s Day Gift Guide
Do It Yourself Father’s Day Gifts by MAKE Zine

More from Planet Green:

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2009

Mom is anything but ordinary—she’s a superhero of sorts who has helped raise us to give a damn. Why not make your gift accurately reflect the brilliant, conscientious, and compassionate son or daughter that you are by choosing something sustainable, socially responsible and just as important, sublime? Surf our archive of Mother’s Day gift guides and articles to find tasty breakfast-in-bed recipes, eco-exquisite gems and jewels, DIY crafts, fancy organic chocolates, fair trade bath treats and more. There’s sure to be something to suit mom’s impeccable taste.

TreeHugger’s 2009 Luxurious, Low-Impact Mother’s Day Gift Guide
TreeHugger’s 2008 Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Pamper Mom and Mama Earth
8 Ways to Green Your Mother This Mother’s Day
Donating Your Old Cell Phone for Moms on Mother’s Day
Muji Has Green Goodies for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day: 5 Gift Ideas
Stephen Fry Gives a Great Green Gift for Mother’s Day

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Sustainable St. Patrick’s Day

Who can think of St. Paddy’s Day without seeing the celebratory color of green? For this reason, we couldn’t leave this shamrock-rockin’ holiday off of our list. From green-tinted beer and pub crawls to traditional Irish fare like Colcannon and Corned Beef and Cabbage, there’s room to party hard--yet eco-mindfully--without giving up the traditional goodies. (Lest you party a little too hard, check out our Top Hangover Cures to get back on track.)

Without further ado, here's your pot of green gold: a list of articles from our archive offering tips and advice to make your green day the greenest yet.

More from Planet Green:

TreeHugger’s 2009 Valentine's Gift Guide: Green Love for Everyone

Sustainability is sexy—but how much more so when lingerie, chocolate and quality time with your SO is in store? Before you make the mad dash to pick up loot for your love fest this Valentine’s Day, check out our convenient gift guide that lays out easy eco-alternatives to the traditional gifts we all know and love. From artisanal, organic sweets that take the place of boring, boxed assortments, to slinky evening wear made of wood fibers instead of silk and home-cooked meals that let you skip the restaurant - we’re sure there’s something to satisfy your and your honey’s great, green taste. TreeHugger's 2009 Valentine's Gift Guide: Green Love for Everyone

TreeHugger's 2008 Holiday Gift Guide, "Give Green to Save Green"

Is it just us, or does everyone still experience a giddy, childish thrill brought on by the thought of holiday gift-giving? Sure, the economy sucks, shopping's a bitch, and the average American's trash output goes up 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's, but still we refuse to go into green Grinch-mode. Check out our 2008 Gift Guide, "Give Green to Save Green," our blueprint to the best affordable, low-impact, and wonderful prezzies for everyone on your list.

Should you need more to satisfy your holiday craving, check out:
TreeHugger's 2007 Holiday Gift Guide
TreeHugger Gift Guides: Green Gifts for Every Occasion

More on Green Gift-Giving from the TreeHugger Archives
A Child's Christmas
The Best Christmas Toy Ever for 1007: Miniature Windmill by Lehman's
School Received Largest Green Christmas Gift in History
TreeHugger Holiday Gift Guide: Hanukkah
How to Go Green: Gift Giving

Holiday: Trees

Though it might seem expected, you won't find TreeHuggers chained up in Christmas tree farms trying to save the tiny pines from being chopped down. In fact, we might actually be bringing one back home to decorate. That's because the sustainable story behind Christmas trees is ever-greener (get it?) thanks to tree recycling services, potted living tree options and eco-friendly ornaments.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Living Christmas Trees
How To Pick A Green Christmas Tree
Christmas Trees Add to Global Warming
Mulchfest: Christmas Tree Chipping in NYC
Electric Eel Powers Christmas Tree
Bake Some Dough Christmas Tree Decorations

Holidays can creep up on you fast, making them hectic and making things such as throwaway costumes, cheap decorations, and disposable cutlery seem convenient. But with a little organization and some simple know-how for last-minute fixes, extending your eco-friendly values into your favorite celebrations doesn't have to be hard. With our favorite green holiday products and do-it-yourself crafts, delicious and simple recipes, and tried-and-true tips, it's never been easier to turn the holidays into eco-friendly seasons.

How To Cook a Sustainable Thanksgiving Dinner

We just can't resist the delicious traditions that go along with the perfect Thanksgiving picture: golden turkey (or Tofurky for the veggies), buttery mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie to die. Yum. But going traditional doesn't mean you can't do the sutainable thing, too. Here are some tips and recipes to round out your Thanksgiving dinner menu, so you can bust a gut without breaking the bank. Warning: uncontrollable salivation may occur.

Make an Impression at Thanksgiving
Make a Fabulous Thanksgiving Turkey
Get Cooking! Your Thanksgiving Roundup
Celebrating Thanksgiving & What it Stands for
Recovering From Thanksgiving: Cookbook Choices
How to Go Green: Thanksgiving Day

Are You Ready To Take the 100-Mile Thanksgiving Challenge?

A couple years ago, TreeHugger ran a contest based on the 100-Mile Diet that challenged readers to create a Thanksgiving dinner using only locally sourced food found within 100 miles from their homes. The contest turned out to be a huge success, proving not only that eating local is possible, but also easy, fun, and affordable. Are you up to the challenge? Do like the pilgrims and Indians, and enjoy your local bounty.

New York Cheat Sheet for the 100 Mile Thanksgiving Challenge
TreeHugger 100 Mile Thanksgiving Challenge
TreeHugger 100 Mile Thanksgiving Challenge: Sponsored by Organic Valley
TreeHugger 100 Mile Thanksgiving Challenge: Meet the Judges and Finalists
TreeHugger 100 Mile Thanksgiving Challenge: Winner Bahar Zaker

Is It Possible To Be Thankful for Climate Change?

One of the coolest things about Thanksgiving? Unlike Halloween, it's not about stuff. While Halloween wouldn't be the same without candy, costumes, and décor, Thanksgiving celebrates giving thanks for what you already have. What a relief for your pocketbook and the planet.

Alternative Thanksgiving Tradition: Buy Nothing Day
TreeHugger Picks: What We're Thankful For
Five Climate Change Events to be Thankful For