Holiday Guide - Part Two

Unique ---- Inexpensive.
Everyone has come across some store or item that was just unique. You should keep a list of these great finds so you can easily go back when you want that something extra special.

IMAGES by Kathy Brant. Ms. Brant has been a photographer for years. She recently started putting her images on her own hand made cards and taking them to local events to sell. She has her own beautiful pictures but you can also hire her to take pictures for you and then will make you your own personal cards. I met her a few weeks ago and bought about 10 cards for $22.00. She didn’t have a website (or store) but has an email address: kgbnorsk@comcast.net and number (630) 963-1849.

The Chillster. (http://www.stopbeerwarming.com/).
This is a truly unique gift that is all about reuse! The Chillster is a reusable mug that keeps your drinks cold and keeps cups out of the garbage and landfills. Perfect for hanging out and watching sporting events at home, for parties, you name it. Someone you know is going to love this gift.

The Delta Institute. (http://deltacarbon.org/offsets/)
Here is a unique stocking stuffer for your really climate conscious friends and relatives: carbon offsets.

Cobrahead.com (http://www.cobrahead.com/)
This is a unique weeding tool, a must have for the avid gardener in your life. It was created by an avid gardener in Wisconsin and supports USA created and made products.

Visit your Local Holiday Bazaar.
Lot’s of schools, church’s and community groups have Holiday Bazaars. A great place to go to support your local businesses, entrepreneurs, and especially fun for those people who have to shop in person and get the story behind their gift. You can try The Green Holiday Bazaar (http://www.gcc-op.org/), this December 6th, in Oak Park to find many great gifts that are local, green, and sustainable.

Thoughtful
While any gifts from the above mentioned places can be considered thoughtful, I’m taking this idea to a different place. These ideas never go out of style, are always appreciated, and are truly priceless.

Write a Personal Note. You can’t do this for everyone! You can do it for different people different times of the year. Make a list, get some cards, and start writing.

Make Cookies. Your friends, your neighbors, all of those people you would like to buy something for but you just can’t, well they would all love this personal gift from you (really, I called them and they said so). It can take just one evening to make, and can be fun when other people join in to bake with you. And what fun it is to personally hand your neighbor some cookies and actually say hello.

Go to a Movie. It’s fun.

Play a Game. Turn off the T.V., forget the grab bag, and pull out the old Trivial Pursuit, Candy Land, or whatever is collecting dust in the closet and play a game. It really is fun and brings you closer together. Spend time together laughing and talking. Children LOVE this because they really do value your time and attention.

A smile, a hug, an “I love you” are all genuine, priceless, caring gifts that make you and the receiver feel good. Stop the rush, the pressure, the stress and share that moment, be in that moment, and you will feel wonderful and the person you are sharing with will feel wonderful too.

But if you just have to buy something, make it a meaningful gift that you can truly feel good about giving. And whatever you are celebrating, have a truly joyous holiday this year.

Holiday Guide Part One

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE: Green, Inexpensive, and Thoughtful Gifts

It happens every year. The beginning of the holiday season brings on the beginning of a lot of stress and pressure to live up to some imaginary standard of what we think we should be doing. When will you have time to shop? How are you going to buy for all those people? What are you going to buy? Where will you begin?

Here are some things to keep in mind to help you have a happy, joyous, holiday season, of course with a positive impact on the environment, the economy, and your budget.

Gifts You Feel Good About:

These are gifts that make you feel good when you purchase them. They can be: Fair Trade, made in the U.S.A., purchased from a local small business, Green, or one that benefits a Charity. The idea is that you are buying a gift that was made by someone who was paid a fair wage, or that stimulates the national or local economy (buying locally keeps $65.00 of one hundred dollars in the community, whereas buying otherwise keeps only $11.00), or was made with a low or positive impact on the environment, and is safe for the recipient to wear, eat, or play with, or the gift supports an organization that you or the receiver cares about.

You can find gifts like this at The Green Home Experts (http://www.ghexperts.com/), The Little Green Baby (http://www.littlegreenbabychicago.com/), A Cooler Planet (http://www.itsacoolerplanet.com/), Kate’s Caring Gifts (http://www.katescaringgifts.com/), or any local store in your neighborhood. You can also purchase them online (many online sites will offer free shipping or other discounts around the holidays). Most stores have several different gifts that range in cost. And while some gifts will meet more than one category for you to feel good about, others may meet just one. It is up to you. There is no “right” gift. Remember it’s a gift that YOU feel good about purchasing and giving.

Two places that I love to shop (live and virtual) and always make me feel good are Half Price Books (http://www.halfpricebooks.com/) and Better World Books (www.betterworld.com) online bookstore.

Two resources for finding business that you can feel good about: Co-op America (http://www.coopamerica.org/) and the Organic Trade Association (http://www.ota.com/).

Free and Green!

It’s the thought that counts, right? When it comes to gifts like these, it really is food for thought. There are several free online newsletters. You can sign up a friend or loved one to receive these gems of in the now resources and know that while they are getting great information on a regular basis, it is at a low or no cost to the environment with no paper trail. It is perfect for people in your life that are interested in being more environmentally aware, but don’t know where to start. Some great online newsletters include ecOscene (http://www.ecosceneinc.com/), A Fresh Squeeze (http://www.afreshsqueeze.com/), and the ever hip Ideal Bite (http://www.idealbite.com/).