It seems that much of the world is entering a new age: forecasts for financial growth are virtually zero; unemployment is reaching such proportions that it is threatening to cause serious social disruptions and fissures; the Eurozone is collapsing; it look like America will never pay off its debt; and the point of no return has already been reached with climate change. This is the age of ‘austerity’ and negative environmental change.

You might have wanted to buy a new flat screen plasma TV, a new car, a holiday in the Caribbean and a new smart phone for you and your loved ones this Christmas. Now you are thinking that maybe you might not have a job next year; and that when your kids grow up they might never experience a white Christmas.

Take stock of all the positives in your life: your health; your family; the fact you have a roof over your head. These are the really precious things in life.

And don’t be upset about the loss of potential presents. Why not make yourself feel good about yourself? Why not buy green presents for people this Christmas?

One good way to start searching for green gifts suitable for your family and friends is to look at bamboo items. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. It thrives without pesticides and fertilizers and it helps top soil retention. Growing bamboo produces more oxygen and recycles more carbon than trees – although we still need the great forests of the world.

Here is a brief list of a few bamboo gift ideas to get you going. By buying bamboo you are getting something that is strong, antimicrobial, long lasting and, most importantly, earth friendly:

1) An expensive bamboo gift is an ASUS bamboo laptop. It cuts down on the amount of plastic used for the laptop by 15%.
2) A bamboo water hammer for the garden will bring a touch of oriental beauty to your outdoor space.
3) Bamboo blinds and shades improve insulation and give a new aesthetic to a room. They are also easy to clean and stop dust mites breeding.
4) Bamboo bowls and kitchen utensils are safe for food preparation and serving. They are easy to clean and look attractive.
5) Bamboo charcoal in bags can be put in bins and the fridge to remove bad smells. Every couple of months the bags can be put in the sunshine for a few hours to regain their ability to remove bad smells
6) Lucky bamboo is not bamboo but it looks like bamboo and is believed to bring good luck to a home and an enterprise. It also makes a good conversation piece.
7) Bamboo vinegar foot detox patches are extremely popular in the Far East. They are the easy way to detox during the night while you are sleeping.

Just from these seven examples it is hoped that the reader has got a better idea about the great variety of bamboo gifts available that somebody they know may like. Perhaps it is better to consider the age of austerity as the age of enlightenment when people wake up to the fact that the pursuit of pieces of paper has driven the world to the brink of disaster, and now it is time to return to the real values of a healthy environment and a healthy family.