Twelve eco-friendly baby gifts under 10 dollars, plus 1 slightly over

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Looking for green baby gifts that don't break the bank?

It's easier than ever to give green--and fair trade--to the wee ones in our lives. Eco-friendly, earth-friendly, green and fair trade gift items exploded onto the market last fall. Competition is making for some very good eco-bargains right now, a plus for those of us struggling to keep hold of our incredibly shrinking pocketbooks.

Variety is better than ever: Organic cotton onesies, bamboo and soy baby yoga pants and tops, trendy toddler rompers and dresses--so many to choose, so little time. And the toys! Oodles of colorful fair trade toys, dolls and teethers made from sustainably harvested wood and organic, hand-picked cotton are available at ever more competitive prices.

So to keep our favorite low-priced, high value eco-gifts straight, I'm listing them by price right here. This lens spotlights eco-friendly baby gifts under 10 dollars. Thanks, Squidoo, for making our baby-gift shopping so easy.

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Prices fluctuate, so some of these may slip over $10 now and then. I'm always checking for bargains, tho, and update frequently.

1. Organic cotton veggies and fruit teethers

by Under the Nile

We'd like to buy the whole kit and kaboodle for our middle grandchild, who is at just that curious and curiouser stage of development and tasting everything. These safe, non-toxic, certified organic veggie toys are fun and hands-on, providing plenty of opportunity to teach the wee ones in your life about the foods they are beginning to eat as they discover the difference between toys and the real thing.

Organic Veggies and Fruit Safe Non-toxic Teething Toys for Baby

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Made of 100% organic super soft Egyptian cotton, the toys are entirely free of pesticide residues and safe for your wee ones to gnosh and nibble to their gums' content. What's more, according to the manufacturer, Under the Nile, their products are not produced in sweat shops: "The farm that grows our cotton and makes our apparel focuses on fair trade and provides a worldwide model community for organic agriculture along with a supportive work place." Machine wash and dry.

2. Dandelion Organic Squeaker

Plush velour

You may find you love the Dandelion line of organic cotton toys and rattles for Baby as much as we do. Every one as cute as the next.

Dandelion Classic Organic Toy Crinkle Bear

Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Your little one can learn hand-eye coordination safely with this organic cotton squeakie toy in all-natural dyes.

3. Organic cotton duck--soft and safe for baby's gums

by Under the Nile

Ooops, this one is exactly $10, but I had to include it because it's so cute!

Under The Nile Duck

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $10.00

Bright colors and soft edges make this cuddly ducky fun for baby as well as safe. It's 100% organically cultivated and grown cotton, dyed with natural, heavy-metal-free colors, machine washable and dry-able.

4. Will your baby love the puppy as much as you do?

by Gund

A gentle chime inside keeps baby's attention, and this puppy has plenty of soft, 100 percent organic cotton chew-holds for teething.

Gund Baby Love Our Earth Gigi Giraffe Chime, Blue, 3.5"

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $10.00

With organic cotton inside and out, your know it's safe for your little love and so squeezable!

5. Cuddle the little one in this stylish organic cotton teddy bear blanket

by American Baby Company

American Baby Company Organic Embroidered Receiving Blanket, Mocha

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Treat the little one in your life to the luxurious softness of safe, pesticide-free organic cotton.

Usually ships in 24 hours

Green tip: Recycle your baby gift cards & wraps all year long

Toss those pretty baby gift cards, ribbons and wrapping papers in a box with a sharp scissors, a sliding paper cutter, and a glue stick. Pull 'em out on a rainy Saturday and make your own one-of-a-kind cards and wraps. Your package will be a hit at your next baby shower!

6. Your baby is safe with this pesticide-free Bumble Bee teething ring

by Under the Nile

This soft-textured teething ring has been a favorite of so many moms and dads I know.

Under The Nile Bumble Bee Ring

Amazon Price: $9.00 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

This easy to grasp yellow toy in soft terry is dyed with natural pigments free of heavy metals. Manufactured by Under the Nile from organic cotton grown and hand-picked in Egypt under Fair Trade guidelines. Easy care: Machine wash delicate; tumble dry low.

7. Summer Infant Swaddleme in organic cotton

So you know it's safe and soft

I realize this is $10.98, so $0.99 over my $10 limit, but I just couldn't resist. So cute! And a great buy.

Summer Infant Swaddleme Organic Cotton, Dots

Amazon Price: $10.98 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Keep your swaddled infant cool on hot summer nights with this soft, summer-weight, organic cotton in a cheery dot pattern. Has a leg pouch for easy night-time diaper changes, and a harness slit for the travel carrier. Plus, it's packaged in a pretty organza bag.

8. Pair the swaddle blanket with these sweet Under the Nile organic baby caps

Under the Nile Organic Scull Hat

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

No sweatshops were employed to make these super soft caps. Made of lightweight 100% certified organic cotton, they fit comfortably around the forehead.

9. Snug 100% organic cotton baby booties stay on the feet

by Under the Nile

Under the Nile Organic Baby Booties

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

These little booties are so cute--and practical. Made from ultra-soft 100% certified organic interlock cotton. Comfy ribbed cuff at ankle helps keep them snug on baby's feet. Mix and match Under the Nile pants and tops of the same fabric.

10. Quick diaper changes are a snap with this organic cotton trouser

by Under the Nile

I've trusted Under the Nile for all my grandchildren. Not only are their clothes soft, durable and certified organic, I know that the farmers who grow and harvest the cotton are fairly paid and not in danger of an early death from the pesticides that threaten the health of conventional cotton farmers.

Under the Nile Organic Trouser, Red, 1-3 Months

Amazon Price: $9.90 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Versatile trouser for girls or boys in 100% organic super soft cotton. Gentle elastic waistband doesn't pinch. Super easy for quick diaper changes. Machine washable.

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

11. Pick up the pace with these colorful newborn outfits

by Hudson Baby

Bored with pastels? If you're looking for richer colors, Hudson Baby has them.

Hudson Baby Organic Touched By Nature Neutral Designs Set, Coral-Leaf

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

The set includes color-coordinated oneise, pant and cap, all soft, 100 percent organic cotton, of course, with a cute little nature-inspired design to set them off. Yum.

12. Cheerful buddy to snuggle and chew

by Under the Nile

Organic Egyptian Cotton Sherpa Pocket Doll

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Made of extremely soft, durable, organic Egyptian cotton, this colorful teething buddy is a delight for your little one. Feel good about the pesticide-free processing of the toy, as well as the fact that the cotton was grown and the toy is manufactured in compliance with fair trade practices. No sweat shops or child labor involved.

13. Zoom, Zoom--Toddler Zoom

by Camden Rose

Camden Rose Toddler Zoom

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

We still have one of these in our collection of thirty-some-year-old toys. You know what I like best about wooden treasures like this? Their scent--fresh wood and beeswax when they're new, then all the little hands that touched them over the years, mixing in the baking and soup smells.

Sure to become an heirloom, these little Zooms fit tiny hands perfectly. Inspired by Waldorf and Montessori and made by Amish in the US from locally-sourced cherry and birch, Zooms help toddlers develop hand-eye coordination as well as interactive play. Toymaker Camden Rose says: "It is our responsibility to provide an environment that tells the story of our world honestly and at the same time protects that world."

Non-toxic finish.

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Did you see something you liked?

I can't decide what to pick! Which items most jumped out at you? Are you going fair-trade and green this year?

  • Timsmansmall Apr 15, 2012 @ 11:58 pm | delete
    Nice gift ideas.
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Dec 23, 2011 @ 3:33 pm | delete
    Love the bumble bee teething ring among other items here. Fantastic collection of eco-friendly baby gifts. What a thoughtful gift guide. Appreciated!
  • Ladymermaid Nov 25, 2011 @ 10:26 am | delete
    I loved each and every eco friendly gift idea presented here. I would so enjoy a switch from plastic gift items to the more eco friendly cotton, wood, and bamboo gift choices presented here. Every little thing we do to help out this old planet of ours does indeed make a very big difference. Best of wishes for a wonderful holiday season.
  • Laniann Aug 30, 2011 @ 1:40 pm | delete
    The Gigi Giraffe with the chime inside is really cute. I also like the pocket doll.
  • VickiSims Aug 20, 2011 @ 12:17 pm | delete
    I'm looking for a gift for my grand-neice who will be one years old next month - these are some great gift ideas!
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