by Susan Hibberd

Created on: September 06, 2008

As a parent, you should be teaching your child to become a happy and useful member of society. Included in this is an awareness of the fragility of our planet, and the necessity of conserving what we have.

Throughout your daily life, you will have opportunities to teach your children about environmental issues, but you can also practice what you preach. One place you can do this is in your choice of gifts.

Green' gifts for children include those which are sources from environmentally friendly companies. When you buy toys, check out the manufacturer on the internet, and find out if they work ethically, and in a Fair Trade manner. Is the packaging recyclable? Is the toy recyclable? How is it produced?

Gifts which can improve your child's awareness of the environment include memberships of various animal charities, zoos and conservation societies. These gift memberships often include special extras for members, such as access to areas normally denied the public.

A gift which encourages a child to interact with the great outdoor is a great green' gift. A mountain bike, and promises of trips to great locations, a tent and survival kit, binoculars and a bird-watching book. All these encourage a child to appreciate the world around us.

You could choose wet weather gear to encourage your child to go out into the wilds, walking, bird watching or clearing shrub with a local environmental group.

Enrolling yourself and your child into a local group gives them so much more than the membership itself. It gives them access to you, which is what every child wants - parental interaction.

Books are always a good green choice. Completely recyclable, and containing a wealth of knowledge about the world around us. Make sure that the books you choose are up-to-date, so that the information is not out-of-date. A little information about the need for conservation is always timely!

When you have chosen your gift, don't forget to use environmentally friendly wrapping. Choose a paper wrapping, or re-use paper or fabric that you already have. Make a personalized card at home - it will mean so much more!

Choosing a green gift for a child is a really great idea. It shows a child which things matter to you, and opens up doors for them. It doesn't have to be a pair of green wellies and a shrimping net, but does have to be ethically manufactured. Choose wisely and you will be giving them more than the value of the gift itself.

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