Materials:

• Empty aluminum soda cans
• Self-adhesive magnets (or double-sided tape)
• A strong pair of scissors
• A mechanical pencil

Start by carefully cutting the tops and bottoms off of the soda cans and flattening out the remaining aluminum.

Next, draw an autumn leaf pattern onto the material with your mechanical pencil. This can be done free-hand, or by tracing actual leaves you’ve collected from the neighbor’s yard. (Only kidding!)

Now, cut out the pattern and engrave your leaves with life-like veins by retracting the lead in your mechanical pencil. Using the point to draw lines from the tips of the edges to the base of the leaf, you can achieve a deeper grove if you place a towel under the aluminum while carving.

Finally, stick a self-adhesive magnet, or some double-sided tape, onto the back of your leaf. Make as many magnets as you’d like, arranging them in a whimsical wind-swept pattern across your fridge.

Now you’ve got yourself a sustainable fall fridge-scape, made faster than you can say “cranberry sauce”!

Since 1989, Trees for the Future has been helping communities around the world plant trees. Through seed distribution, agroforestry training, and our country programs, they have empowered rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands. Planting trees protects the environment and helps to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations.

A $40 membership will help grow 400 trees! $100 grows 1,000 trees. That’s impressive, don’t you think?

This Valentine’s Day Grand Box contains 60 flowers total: 10 lilies, 20 tulips, 20 iris and 10 hyacinth. In addition, these flowers are certified sustainable – they were grown using socially and environmentally responsible practices.  I was expecting this Impressive gift to be more than $145. They are available for February delivery from FlowerBud.

These are the World’s Tallest Roses, and they can be purchased for $250. You’re either out to impress or to make her laugh silly… These may achieve both, actually.

‘Thank You’ are two over-simplified words, in my opinion. This is not the same as under-appreciated, mind you, because we always appreciate it when we are thanked for our efforts. Generally, I find these words rarely associated with the less-obvious, the acts that are less visible, like thanking someone for being your soul mate. Or for something as silly as putting the cap back onto the toothpaste each morning. (It’s a trait worth thanking, trust me.)

A bulb garden is an alternative flowering gift that lasts longer than cut flowers and can include a great more variety. Think of it as a miniature indoors garden. This Bulb Garden will arrive pre-planted and ready to bloom in a reclaimed antique bucket that was previously used for water collection. I recommend this bulb kit for its abundance and a rich color combination that is not too Spring. The gift includes 16 ‘Annie Schuilder’ tulips, 3 ‘Blue Festival’ hyacinth, 2 iris bulbs, and 15 narcissus. From the Smith & Hawken blooming collection for $99

With all the talk about The Apocalypse and "where will you be?" business, I finally gave in and tucked one of these radios in my emergency survival bag, under my bed. Seriously, I do advise one should always be prepared for emergencies. This Eton hand-crank radio also works as a generator – it comes with a built-in cell phone charger, flashlight, and emergency siren. However, for general use, it can also be powered by batteries or AC adapter (included). $50

One of my all-time favorite gifts, this Magical Plant Garden contains the fascinating tillandsia, which is an air plant-epiphyte, plants that can grow without soil. These tillandsia derive all their nutrition from air and water. The set includes 4 plants, stones and bowl. $79

An entire self-sustaining ecosystem thrives within this attractive hand-blown glass sphere: Plants, live shrimp, algae, and microorganisms. It requires only indirect light and moderate temperatures, and offers hours of fascinating viewing. The Ecosphere is available at Viva Terra for $89.

A plug-and-go electric motor bike that can go 20-25 miles at top speed (24 MPH) and requires around three hours to charge. The big plus… It costs only half a cent per mile to operate. Available for $1,199 at ShiftYourGift (A site offering sustainable gifts and will donate 5% of your purchase to a nonprofit of your choice).