With wedding season approaching and brides everywhere diligently planning their weddings, I wanted to share with you three simple, tasteful wedding gift ideas. These gifts are frugal, green, and never go out of style. One gift idea you can even make yourself! Any of these would make wonderful housewarming gifts or host/hostess gifts as well.

Frugal and Green Gift Ideas

1.  Cloth Grocery Bags:  My husband and I received these bags for a gift almost 21 years ago. They’ve held up really well and are easy to stick in a handbag or pocket. If they’re really loaded with groceries, I like to keep my hand on the bottom of the bag as well. I see these in lots of stores. Purchase several, place in a box, and wrap box in a vintage map. Add a ribbon that can be re-used and you’re all set! Want to upgrade this gift? Include a gift certificate to a local farmer’s market or an organic grocery store.

2.  Cloth Napkins:  I made these napkins when we were newly weds and they have worn nicely over the years. The napkins are 15″ x 15″ squares. They are made with chambray fabric, which is my favorite fabric for cloth napkins. Chambray fabric ages well and I think the tattered edges add a little charm.  Cut fabric into 16″ squares, sew together with 1/2″ seam, right sides together.  Leave an opening for turning right-side out, press, and top stitch.  Don’t dry your cloth napkins in the dryer and they’ll last even longer. For a newly wed couple, I like to give four napkins. That way, when the couple has guests over, they’re ready to entertain. Want to upgrade the cloth napkins gift? Include a gift certificate to the happy couple’s favorite restaurant or a specialty market.

Photo credit:  Lee Valley Tools

3.  Compost Pail:  This stainless steel compost pail has a simple design and no charcoal filters, which means there is nothing to purchase ongoing.  We leave our compost pail on the kitchen counter, next to the sink, so it’s easy to place produce scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, and used tissues in it, instead of the garbage can.  Our pail never smells but periodically I do run it through the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning.  The compost pail was purchased from Lee Valley Tools and is very sturdy.

With these simple, green, and frugal gift ideas, you’ll be prepared this gift giving season to honor an engaged couple, a host/hostess, or yourself!

What’s your favorite green and frugal gift to give?

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