Green Tech Holiday Stocking Stuffers

This season, after all of your major presents have been accounted for, consider the following silly but sweet green tech items for friends and family. They can easily be stuffed into most holiday stockings—and, at less than $25 per gift; they won’t empty all of the “green stuff” out of your wallet either.

1.     For $15, you can get speakers in a plug-and-play cardboard design from. Merkury Innovations.  Choose from a number of funky patterns, such as Leopard Kensington Eco Speakers or Two Tone Rugby Eco-Speakers—both from The Macbeth Collection. These universal speakers for iPod and MP3 players (and other devices with a 3.5mm jack) are made from foldable post-consumer recycled materials and are shipped flat, reducing pollution and waste. No batteries required.

2.      For $12, add “a ruler”—the Kikkerland Solar Queen—to somebody’s desk set. Place this solar queen in the sun and watch Her Majesty deliver her signature “changing the light bulb” wave. She comes in stylish but dignified pastel colors. The solar panel on her handbag powers her twisting wrist, so she never needs batteries. May she wave forever. 

3.        Even if they are water-resistant or waterproof, most clocks don’t actually welcome water anywhere near their working parts. This $12.99 desktop timepiece actually thrives on liquid.  It is powered solely by water (or any electrolytic fluid, such as soda, coffee, or even beer). The water clock will display the time and date in clear, easy- to-read-numbers just moments after you fill the liquid reservoirs in the back with the liquid of your choice—and will run for weeks without a refill. The internal converter simply extracts electrons from water (or other liquid) molecules and provides a steady stream of electrical current, acting as a fuel cell to generate power to the clock. Sorry: Flowers, battery, and water are not included.

4.      A new flame for the barbeque lover—at just $14.99 for a package of three. Like a mini portable gas grill, the Flame Disk provides a portable alternative to highly polluting charcoal. It provides at least 40 minutes of grilling time by using solidified ethanol. Simply peel the lid and light with a match and let the good times roll — whether he is tailgating, camping, or gathering with friends on the patio. (However, you may have to stretch your stocking to fit this gift in!)

5.      This $12.50 PostGarden will send your love and the seeds of a real desktop garden, which your friend or family member can enjoy for weeks to come. The vegetable-ink-based greeting card is easy to convert into a small crop of watercress: The recipient just pops open the card, waters the base, and sprinkles the seed packet over the diorama. It sprouts in a matter of days, when it is left in the sun. U.S. postage adds about $1.30 to the price of the card.

6.     For $24, turn a friend’s desk into a blooming garden with this pretty tulip USB hub. Four USB high-speed ports are included, with one colorful red flower for each. Compatible with most USB plugs, for both Mac and Windows systems. Plastic parts. 2.5”x3”