7 Energy-Saving Holiday Gift Ideas

Christmas is a’ knocking, and you may need to rush to the store for some last-minute gifts. Why not make at least one of your holiday gifts eco-friendly?

We found many terrific green gift guides across the Internet, which you can find here, here and here. So we thought we’d focus specifically on gifts to help people cut their energy bills in the years ahead. (And hey, they’re great for the environment, too.) You can find most of these at stores in any area.

Here are seven energy-savings gift ideas:

1. Pressure cooker. These pots – great for preparing rice, beans, soups, and some meats -- use up to 70% less energy than regular pots and pans by sealing in hot air to quickly cook food. (So the best part: You get to eat sooner, too.)

2. High-efficiency lights. Need some stocking-stuffers? These bulbs use up to 75% less energy than regular incandescents – and they keep getting cheaper. (Target recently sold GE CFL light bulbs for 39-cents each on sale.) You can also find handy gadgets, such as highly efficient LED reading lamps and flashlights, that make for nice smaller gifts.

3. Ecobutton. Sold from the U.K., the Ecobutton hooks up to your computer via USB cable and allows you to put your computer in energy-savings mode by simply pushing the button (even if you just step away to grab a bite). Ecobuttons retail for about $24 (14.99 British pounds) plus shipping and handling off the U.K.-based site. A display on the button shows your carbon savings, your energy savings and your cash savings.

4. Home electricity monitor. One of the best ways to compel someone to save energy is giving them real-time feedback of how much they’re using and spending. A home-electricity monitor that tracks a home’s electricity usage by plugging into outlets or some other way can help. There are many different types out there, so first read up on how they work.

5. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Ok, so bathroom gadgets aren’t the sexiest gifts. But these can reduce water consumption by 50%, and thus, the energy used to heat water. Give a showerhead with a shut-off valve – for when they’re soaping up– and they’ll save even more.

6. Solar-powered gadgets. The number of solar-powered gizmos has exploded in recent years. You can now find solar-powered lights, cell phone and battery chargers, and solar backpacks. And what better way to teach kids about renewable energy than buying them a solar-powered toy?

7. Energy-savings guidebooks. You can find a treasure trove of good energy-savings ideas in books available online or at most book stores. Check out some good titles here and here.

(Oh, and don’t forget: Post-Christmas sales are the perfect time to buy energy-efficient holiday lights for next year at big discounts.)

Any other energy-savings gift ideas? Are you making a point to give any “green gifts” this year?