Santa’s Little Helper: Have a green Christmas

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It would be hard to find a list of more mundane gifts, but these humble household items have two huge benefits: They’re cheap to buy, and they keep on giving . . . and giving . . . and giving, because they save so much money and precious resources.

Be sure to wrap them in a reused gift bag or old newspaper!

1) .5 Gallons Per Minute Faucet Aerator

Instead of allowing 2.2 gallons of water to flow out of your kitchen or bathroom faucet head each minute, this chrome-plated aerator restricts the flow to a meager 0.5 -- and does it with an even spray. Price: $1.95. Info: www.e3living.com/5-gallons-minute-aerator

2) Dishpan

If you throw a plastic bin in the sink and hand-wash your dishes, you can collect excess water and, rather than send it down the sewer, throw it on your plants. Price: About $1 and up

3) Water heater blanket

If your water heater has a tank and you don’t have the cash or willingness to go tankless, at least wrap it with a blanket. It will keep the water warmer longer and cut down on the energy needed to heat it in the first place. Price: About $10

4) AA battery charger

Why buy endless packs of Duracells when you can buy rechargeables and a charger. Although the upfront cost for a rechargeable battery is about four times more than it is for a disposable one, the batteries can be used more than 100 times. Price: About $15 and up for four AA batteries and a charger

5) Compact fluorescent light bulb

CFLs last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. They cost more upfront, but they save money in the long term. Price: $5 and up

6) Thermal coffee mug

Let’s say you buy one cup of coffee from a cafe each day as you head to work. At five cups a week, 52 weeks a year, you’ve just contributed 260 cups and lids to a landfill. Try a reusable, thermal coffee mug instead, preferably one with a stainless steel interior. Price: About $15

7) Reusable stainless steel water bottle

The average American consumes 29 gallons of bottled water each year. In most cases, the water is no better than what comes out of the tap. What’s worse, most of the bottles end their lives in a landfill. Try a reusable water bottle with a stainless steel core. It’s healthier. Price: $8 and up

8) Distilled white vinegar

Why spend money on supposedly green cleaning products when you can make them yourself? When your old Windex, Simple Green and other household cleaning product bottles are empty, refill them with various vinegar and water solutions. Price: $1 and up. For cleaning recipes, go here.

9) TwoFlush Dual Flush Toilet Retrofit Kit

About a third of a household’s daily water use is literally flushed down the toilet. Retrofit your toilet, and you could save as many as 6,000 gallons of water a year. Cost: $50. Info: www.dualflushtoilet.net

--Susan Carpenter

Carpenter writes the Realist Idealist column for the Home section.