Great 'green' gifts for all kinds of guys

(ARA) - Reusable shopping bag for mom, recycled glass earrings for your best friend and an iTunes gift card for your 12-year-old niece - when it comes to generating green gift ideas for the females on your holiday shopping list, you just zip along. Then there are the guys ...

We may never know why it's more difficult to shop for men. Whether they're car guys, sports fanatics or techies, coming up with just the right gift for the men in our lives can stymie even the most creative shopper, especially if you're trying to put a little "green" under the tree.

If it's the thought that counts, buying green is the way to go; and with more quality green gift options, it's never been easier. So if you want the men in your life to be a little greener, without sacrificing features, quality or style, here are some green gift ideas, categorized by types of guys:

The gadget guru

Tech guys love to get their hands on every cool new gadget as soon as it hits the market. Your chances of getting him something major that he doesn't already have are pretty slim, so go the route that has served women well for centuries - accessorize.

All those gadgets need power, so consider a USB-compatible solar charging device. These chargers use solar power to juice up virtually any gadget that has a USB power port. You can find ones made for cell phones, MP3 players and practically any other digital product. Google "solar charger" to start your search.

The sharp dresser

Is he convinced that the song "Sharp Dressed Man" was written just for him? Clean shirt, new shoes ... for the well-dressed man, green can be more than just a color. Thanks to clothing made from materials such as recycled water bottles, you'll be doing good, while making him look good.

The well-known men's apparel brand, Haggar, offers chinos, cargos and dress pants made with Repreve, a recycled fiber made from recycled plastic bottles. Featuring a straight, contemporary fit, these pants look good and feel great. Check them out at retailers across the country, including Macy's, JCPenney, Kohl's and Belk.

The outdoorsman

Does he spend hours, days even, perfecting the landscape at the house? Hardware and home improvement stores can be a great place to find solar powered pathway lights so he can showcase his masterpiece. Or if he likes to garden, consider getting him a composting kit. Compost is the ultimate act of green gardening, using leftover vegetable scraps and other items to help create a nutrient-rich, all-natural fertilizer.

If he loves to explore the great outdoors, camping gear such as backpacks that convert solar power into electricity, hand-cranked radios, and flashlights that power up with a few good shakes are all great options.

The handyman

Sure, he's gone through the house caulking and sealing every possible crack where heat could escape, and he's replaced every incandescent bulb in the house with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). But does he yearn to do even more to conserve energy and reduce your home's carbon footprint?

Buy him his own voltage measuring device. All he has to do is plug an appliance into the device and it will display exactly how much power in kilowatt hours the appliance uses. He'll be able to tell what items in the house are the surprising power gobblers, and calculate electrical expenses down to the day if he so desires.

The Internet has made finding green gifts easier than ever. With a simple online search and a little creativity, you can find the right eco-friendly gift for practically every kind of guy on your list.