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Sustainable Holiday Gifts In Baltimore

Though sustainable holiday shopping may seem like an oxymoron (shouldn't we be buying less?), you can find creative holiday gifts locally in Baltimore and support the environment at the same time.  From fashion, food and flowers to pampering and pets, your holiday shopping will not only be eco-friendly, but also unique.

A fun idea is to start your holiday eco-shopping by visiting the Conscious Corner in Clarksville, Maryland. About 30 minutes west of Baltimore, five eco-friendly stores are located together in a high-end shopping district. Start your green shopping excursion with brunch at Great Sage (the pancakes are amazing), then shop for your pets at Bark's, food at Root's and fashion at The Nest and Boulder for Men. You may even get your holiday shopping done in one day.

Green Gifts For Fashionistas

Joshua Tree in Mt. Washington

The Joshua Tree
1340 Smith Ave.
Baltimore 21209
(971) 570.0732
facebook.com/pages/The-Joshua-Tree

Located next to the Mt. Washington Whole Foods Market, this store carries hemp, soy and organic men's and women's casual clothes. The styles are forward-thinking, inexpensive to up-scale and also sewn "sweatshop-free." You will also find locally made scrubs, soaps and aromatherapy oils. Check out the green pet store, Dogma, in the same shopping center.

The Nest
5809 Clarksville Square Drive
Clarksville MD, 21209
(443) 535.0212
nestnaturalhome.com

Located in Clarksville, Maryland in the Conscious Corner, The Nest is an organic, recycled and fair-trade women's clothing and gift shop.  The clothing collection is quite complete and your fashionista may especially love the many eco-friendly boot options. Check out the new olive wood tableware and mango tree bowls.

Boulder For Men
5805 Clarksville Square Drive
Clarksville 21029
(443) 535-9449
boulder4men.com

Near The Nest, find any gift from head to toe for the men in your life at this eco-store. Boulder for Men carries a full selection of clothing, shoes, socks and accessories. This season's hot item is the stainless steel wallets by Stewart/Stand made from 85-percent recycled steel. And, what Ravens fan wouldn't want a wooden six-pack beer tote?

(Credit: L. Peltier)

Treasure House Accessories
9163 Reisterstown Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117
(410) 363-4110
treasurehouseaccessories.com

A popular store in Baltimore for on-the-trend shoppers, Treasure House Accessories has two very popular recycled gift ideas. Your fashionista will never know the Mosey bag collection is made from PET plastic (#1 recycled plastic), but she will appreciate that her bag is eco-friendly. Another hot item is the large Alex and Ani recycled jewelry line; fashionistas love the stackable bracelets.

Green Gifts For Your Gardener

Local Color Flowers
3100 Brentwood Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 262-1494
locoflo.com

Did you know that most U.S. florists buy flowers shipped or flown in from South America? Our red roses aren't very green. But Baltimore's Local Color Flowers procures its flowers from local growers which keeps these flowers' carbon footprint to a minimum. Get the gardener in your life a unique holiday terrarium, a terrarium ornament or a beautiful wreath.

Green Gifts For Someone Who Needs Pampering

Sprout: An Organic Salon
925 W. 36th St.
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 235-2269
sproutsalon.com

There is nothing better than a first-rate haircut and color to make someone feel special. An organic hair salon in Hampden, Sprout caters to clients who value style and a chemical-free experience. A gift certificate for your special someone means they will be treated to an essential oil head massage and hair wash along with their cut, perfect for the busy holiday season.

Green Gifts For Foodies

Woodberry Kitchen
2010 Clipper Park Road, Suite 126
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 464-8000
woodberrykitchen.com

Located in the historic Clipper Mill, Woodberry Kitchen tops Baltimore's locovore movement. Treat your foodie to a dinner or brunch with sustainable food sourced from the Chesapeake region. Woodberry Kitchen's chef was recently nominated for the James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic region honor, so you know the food will be really good.

Milk And Honey Market
816 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 685-6455
www.milkandhoneybaltimore.com

Situated in Mt. Vernon, this shop offers a natural and organic delicatessen, cafe and market. The Milk and Honey Market supports Baltimore's growing urban farm movement by purchasing local products for its market. This is a great gift idea for your MICA and University of Baltimore student, or downtown worker.

Green Gifts For Pet Lovers

dog treats at dogma.

Dogma
3600 Boston St.
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 276-3410
dogmaforpets.com

The good news is that Dogma has three stores in the Baltimore area - Canton, Mt. Washington and Locust Point. With an eye toward natural and green products, Dogma offers loads of gifts for cats or dogs from natural and organic foods to toys and accessories. Dogma even sells locally made dog chews from Liberty Delight Farms in Reisterstown.

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Laurel Peltier is a freelance writer. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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