Wouldn’t it be great if you could give your friends and family a present that would keep their homes permanently clean and non-toxic? It would be like wrapping up a lifetime green cleaning service without the hefty price tag? Now that’s a present!

Since they haven't yet invented the gizmo I'm imagining here, and since you probably don't want to pledge to clean other people's houses... Here are some great present options that help you give the gift of clean.

Soy or beeswax candles
People love burning candles to scent the air and set the mood for a cozy holiday. Save them from the toxic fumes of petroleum-based candles by giving them natural and sustainable essential oil-scented candles.

Healthy home in a box
This is a great gift for people just starting off on the green path who may not yet have considered the harmful chemicals in their cleaning and other household products. The Green Nest “Gift of Health” gift pack includes a CD on how to create a healthy home, a children’s book that helps kids learn the importance of making smart green decisions in the home, a soy candle, non-toxic all-purpose cleaner and even 10 percent off their next purchase from Green Nest.

Pollution solutions in a bag
It’s great when you can find a present that directs your money to a good cause but still allows you to give something of value to the person you’re buying for. The Environmental Working Group’s 2008 Pollutions Solutions holiday gift bag is a great way to do this.

You are putting your money to work for a great cause and in return you get a useable present to give to help someone green their home. The gift includes a tote bag made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, glass food storage containers, a stainless steel water bottle, organic cookies, coupons for green home products and some of the great guides EWG puts out to help us make smart choices for our health and environment. Also, if buying the bag is your first time giving money to EWG, they have established donors who will match your donation — so you get even more bang for your buck!

Here’s an easy one!
Another option that would be quick and easy and just a few clicks through Amazon is my new book, Clean Home, Green Home: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Eco-Friendly Homekeeping. The photo-intensive book takes you step by step through just about every room in your house and shows you how to clean it naturally, efficiently and effectively.

With these great choices, giving the gift of clean is easy and the payoff is helping others make healthy green choices in their home.

Kimberly Delaney is the author of Clean Home, Green Home: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Eco-Friendly Homekeeping, published by the Knack imprint of Globe Pequot Press.