Celebrate Green Blog

by Lynn and Corey

Oprah’s 2010 Ultimate Favorite Things were, for the most part decidedly not eco-friendly. It was nice to see that this year, she put in a $100 gift card for KIVA and another for DonorsChoose.org (two of our favorite non-profits). But mostly, the gifts on her list leave a lot to be desired for anyone who prefers to shop with a conscience.

What’s cool though, is this: it’s not difficult to green up her list. And here’s what’s even cooler-just a few years ago, this wouldn’t have been possible. The explosion in eco-friendlier alternatives is nothing short of mind-blowing.

Granted, there is no eco-iPad and CDs are problematic, but most everything else on her list has a better-for-people, better-for-planet alternative. (Note our refrain that nothing we buy can ever be 100% perfectly green, but there is a growing number of choices that we can feel better about supporting with our wallets.)

We’re not shopaholics ourselves, but we know that people are going to buy and be influenced by Oprah’s picks. If you’re one of them, take a look at our list before you download hers.

(Being this is the last season for Oprah, this year’s Favorite Things took two shows to announce. We don’t give a greener alternative to every single item, but enough to suggest that whatever you’re buying this holiday season can be more eco-friendly.)

Oprah’s pick: Andre Walker hair care products

Our greener pick: Hair care products from Hamadi Beauty

Oprah’s pick: Magaschoni tunic and leggings

Our greener pick: Lizzie Parker tunic and leggings-organic bamboo is Lizzie’s signature fabric

Oprah’s pick: Four pairs of Nike running shoes.

Our greener pick: One pair of New Balance WE070 running shoes made with recycled materials, a rice rubber husk outer sole and water-based adhesives

Oprah’s pick: Baker’s Edge lasagna and brownie trays with Ghiradelli brownie mix

Our greener pick: BT organic brownies made with Fair Trade chocolate

Oprah’s pick: Lafco House and Home Collection candle set

Our greener pick: Beeswax candles from Big Dipper Wax Works

Oprah’s pick: Judith Ripka Eclipse Earrings

Our greener pick: Barbara Michelle Jacobs’ twig hoop earrings cast from twigs in Central Park and made from recycled silver

Oprah’s pick: A Coach satchel

Our greener pick: Reveal’s Taylor satchel made from recycled fabrics

Oprah’s pick: The Book of Awakening, Mark Nepo

Our greener pick: Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson

Oprah’s pick: A 25th anniversary Oprah shirt

Our greener pick: An organic cotton Tees for Change inspirational shirt

Oprah’s pick: Diamond earring from Dana Rebecca Designs

Our greener pick: Conflict-free diamond earrings from Brilliant Earth

Oprah’s pick: Garrett Popcorn Shops popcorn in special tin

Our greener pick: 479 organic popcorn (to be fair, this has been an Oprah favorite in the past)

Oprah’s pick: Nordstrom lingerie

Our greener pick: Enamore lingerie from fabrics including organic cotton, bamboo, soy, hemp and natural silk

Oprah’s pick: Limited edition “25th anniversary” Oprah watch

Our greener pick: Citizen‘s Eco-Drive watch powered by a solar cell beneath the dial that converts any form of light into electrical energy to power the watch

Oprah’s pick: Jewelry box from the Pottery Barn

Our greener pick: Recycled bangle bracelet jewelry box from Viva Terra

Oprah’s pick: Lululemon relaxed fit pants

Our greener pick: Bamboo pants from Green Apple Active

Oprah’s pick: Five-year membership in Netflix

Our not-necessarily-greener-but more meaningful pick: Five-year membership in the inspirational Spiritual Cinema Circle

Oprah’s pick: A Course in Weight Loss, Marianne Williamson

Our pick: Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food: an Eater’s Manifesto e-book

Oprah’s pick: Hope in a Jar moisturizer

Our greener pick: Eden Allure fairly traded organic Moroccan argan oil

Oprah’s pick: Miraclesuit blue jeans

Our greener pick: REUSE 80% recycled denim jeans from World of Green

Oprah’s pick: Talbott Teas

Our greener pick: Organic Tulsi Teas

Oprah’s pick: Mini croissants from Williams-Sonoma

Our greener pick: Organic and gluten-free cookies from Beautiful Sweets in designs for any celebration

Oprah’s pick: Volkswagen Beetle

Our greener choice: Nissan Leaf

What do you think of our picks? Have some of your own to replace others Oprah named? Let us know!

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.