Published on November 22nd, 2011 | by Vivian Nelson Melle

Vegan-Friendly Blankets for Gift Giving

Bamboo blankets are lusciously soft.

Blankets are a universally appreciated gift across most, if not all, cultures. The holidays are the perfect time of year for giving this thoughtful home stable, and while there may be several eco-friendly materials on the market, it’s important to understand the importance of vegan-friendly materials as well. Vegan-friendly materials are those which do not take advantage of animals in any way. It turns out that many of these materials not only respect animals, they also make some gorgeous blankets which are also lovely to the touch as well. Here are a few vegan-friendly blankets for gift giving that your vegan loved ones will appreciate, as well as, anyone with a penchant for curling up in comfort.

Hemp yarn

Hemp

Hemp is indeed legal, although the legality with marijuana somehow cloud the issue. Basically there are many strains of hemp plants and some produce high levels of THC, these are what is considered Marijuana and there are those that do not. The latter are what is used in manufacturing industrial hemp.

Industrial hemp made into yarn creates soft blankets that are anti-fungal and antimicrobial which is a perfect choice for babies and children. They are non-allergenic so they are a caring gift for loved ones with asthma and allergies. Hemp products wash and dry well and many users report the products seem to become even softer with each washing.
{cc photo courtesy of J. Paxon Reyes on Flickr}

Bamboo fabric comes in a myriad of colors and patterns

Bamboo

Bamboo yarn is silky soft making it a luxurious gift, especially in a basket filled with other pampering lotions and lotions. The fabric also has a satin-like quality that’s great for quilt making especially for those none-too-interested in knitting or crocheting. Bamboo fabric naturally wicks moisture away making it a nice choice for blankets. It also makes great towels and bath linen since it dries in half the time of cotton. It’s also easy to work with for those going the handmade gift-giving route.

Bamboo can grow up to three feet in just one day and requires little water and maintenance. It also spreads quickly enough to consider it an evasive plant. This, however, is one of the qualities that makes it a great eco-product. It grows well in various locales and is sustainable. There are some concerns with stressing the environment in the process of turning bamboo to fiber and the use of chemicals used as well. However, with its popularity have come changes making the process more earth-friendly. With the help of consumer advocacy, bamboo may be able to move even further up the line of green products.

{cc photo courtesy of monkeybutt1969 on Flickr}

Organic brushed cotton with eco-friendly inks

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is similar to bamboo as there are concerns with some of the processes that can go into turning the fiber into fabric. By all means, organic is by far the best option since one of the most toxic processes is bleaching. The organic method utilizes peroxide and other more environmentally prudent oxidizing agents.

Organic cotton farming, like other organic farming, does not use fertilizers, unless natural and free of chemicals, and no pesticides. The outcome is a products similar, if not identical, to conventional but without the harmful side effects to the surrounding environment. Polluted water runoff from conventional farming can lead to serious consequences to wildlife and their habitat.

{cc photo courtesy of green threadon Flickr}
{Top cc photo courtesy of 3BL Media on Flickr}
{sources: The Sitting Tree}

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Tags: Gifts, vegan

About the Author

Vivian Nelson Melle Vivian Nelson Melle is a writer and life coach helping individuals, families, and businesses thrive. She supports small businesses especially in the areas of Green Living, Health, and Wellness. She can be found at www.viviannelsonmelle.com and www.craftyvivi.com