10 Green Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

Father’s day is fast approaching, so we put together a list of eco-gift ideas that will be sure to delight dad. Here are our top 10 takes on some dad’s day classics:

“Pro-Planet” Timbuk2 Commute Slim Laptop Case – For the commuter dad who totes his laptop to and from work daily and who could use a streamlined bag that can handle the basics, a 15″ (s) laptop, power cord, keys and some reading material without all of the bulk. On sale from $150 down to $105 at Timbuk2.

Additional suggestions: If dad’s commute is above-ground, he can charge his ipod, phone, pda en route with the solar powered messenger bag from Eco-Express, $129.99. Or the Brenthaven Metro Lite II laptop case for $79.99 (10% off with coupon code RCK6).

Dixon Earth Golf Balls – For the dad who spends a lot of time on the greens and could stand to be a little greener while improving his game.  The Dixon received a 92% approval rating from the PGA Tour Partners Club.  The Dixon is recyclable and is made from 100% renewable resources, unlike most brands that are made of non-renewable synthetics containing heavy-metal pollutants like tungsten, cobalt and lead.  Send your used balls back for recycling and $1 off  your next box. $27.95 at Golf Balls.com.

Additional Suggestions: Eco Tee2Green (T2G) Biodegradable Tees, 100o for $25 or high performance Zero Friction Golf tees, longer lasting and biodegradable, 25 for $3.79 at Golf Tees.com.

Casio’s Waveceptor Solar Atomic Sports Watch - For the dad who knows that time is of the essence, you’ll help him keep track of time and save time with a solar powered watch. He’ll no longer have to deal with replacing batteries yearly, $64.95 at Amazon.

Additional Suggestions: If you prefer a splurge, try the Citizen Eco-Drive line powered by a solar conversion panel and energy cell that lasts up to 40 years! Try the Eco-Drive Nighthawk in Stainless Steel for $237 or the Eco-Drive Chronograph in Canvas for $129.

New Balance Cocona Burnout Tee – For the fitness buff or for any dad who would appreciate a comfortable shirt. The CoCoNa line from New Balance is made of charcoal (activated carbon) extracted from coconut shells to create a material that provides evaporative cooling, optimal breathability, odor resistance, and UV protection by a factor of 20+.  The all natural fibers will retain or improve their performance over the lifetime of the product. Reflective panels will keep dad safe on the road. On sale for $40.49.

Additional Suggestions: The long sleeve Cocona running top, on sale for $39.99 or the Cocona Sport Polo, on sale for $42.49.

Watt’s Up? Internet Enabled Electricity Meter – For the dad who was always telling you to turn out the lights and put on a sweater. Now dad can carefully monitor the energy use throughout the entire house with this internet enabled energy meter and can pinpoint where the bulk of the energy use is coming from (hopefully, he won’t find that it is coming from your bedroom). A basic monthly subscription is free, but if this becomes an obsession dad can choose to upgrade (for $50 a month) so can hit refresh by the minute. On sale for $120.49 at Amazon.

Additonal Suggestions: Start him off with a beginners model, the Kil-A-Watt Energy Meter that plugs into appliances to monitor their electricity usage and calculate electricity costs. On sale for $21.98 at Amazon.

Mango Medium Radio – For the retro dad who wants to relive the days when am/fm radios ruled. This travel ready radio is hand-crafted in Indonesia from naturally harvested new growth forests, for every tree harvested a new one is planted. And you can slowly introduce new technology-this throw back radio is MP3 compatible. Runs on AA batteries, so camp friendly. Originally $250, on sale for $200 at EMMO Home.

Additional suggestions: Vers Audio 1.5R AM/FM Radio/Alarm Clock/Ipod player combo, $219 or for the survivalist dad, the hand cranked, solar powered AM/FM radio from Kikkerland, on sale at Target for $25.99

Organic Steak Lover’s Sampler - For the grillmaster, treat him to the Organic Steak Lovers Sampler from Dakota Beef. The cattle are grass fed on organic farmland. The sampler includes 2 – 6 oz. Top Sirloin, 2 – 8 oz. NY Strip Steak  and 2 – 10 oz. Ribeye Steaks. The steaks arrive refrigerated, not frozen, with a “use or freeze by” date. $64.85.

Additional Suggestions: A more heart healthy option, the certified sustainable wild Alaskan Salmon Trio + Grill Fixin’s Pack from Vital Choice includes 2-6oz portions each of Sockeye Salmon, King Salmon and Silver Salmon, 1 organic salmon marinade and 3 adler single use grilling plates, all for $77.

Sustainable Vino Trio – For the dad with a more refined pallet, try these wines with a conscience hand picked from Touring & Tasting’s editors. All three varieties hail from environmentally-sensitive wineries including a bottle of  Greenwood Ridge Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Tolosa Chardonnay and Big Horn Cellars Cabernet. Valued at $86, on sale for $49 at Delight.com.

Additional Suggestions: Dad more of a beer drinker? This Organic Brew Kit for Beginners will get him started with nearly everything he needs to brew 5 gallons of beer, kits does not include a brew pot or bottles. Choose from a Pale Ale all the way to Dark Lager for starters. $85.50 for the kit, $15.90 for the bottles, $2.00 for 60 caps. Or make it easy on dad, and opt for an organic beer sampler kit from Eco-Express.

Eco Touch Conscious Car Care Kit - For the dad who loves his car, try a eco-conscious car cleaning kit from Eco-Touch to keep his baby sparkling. The eco-friendly kit includes 24oz bottles of dashboard protector, metal polish, carpet and upholstery cleaner, window clear, an all purpose cleaner and a waterless car wash perfect for the city dweller or anyone who wants to save hundreds of gallons of water a year. And all packaged in 100% recyclable bottles and sprayers. All for $49.95 and ships free from eco-touch.

Energizing Starter Kit – For the ‘metro’ dad, pamper him with a gift  from Kiehl’s.  This kit includes Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash, Facial Fuel, Ultimate Man Scrub Soap Deluxe, White Eagle Shave Cream Deluxe and a Small EVA bag all for $28.50. Plus free shipping on orders over $40 and deluxe sample of Ultimate Strength Hand Salve with coupon code DAD, so you might have to slip in a little something for yourself……

Additional Suggestions: Dad not the pampering type? Go for an updated take on a classic, organic soap on a rope.

Get Creative – Just like the old days when you would make him macaroni necklaces and #1 Dad Mugs in art class. The internet makes it super easy to customize gifts just right for your dad, like organic cotton t-shirts from North Shore Shirts ($22.99) or Cafe Press ($28), personalized Siggs water bottles also at Cafe Press.

Additional Suggestions: Give dad the gift of time together. Take him out to the ball game or fishing or hiking or whatever it is that you and dad love doing together.

Happy Father’s Day from Urban Sherp!!