Greenopia Christmas Gift Guide 2009: Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything
by Starre Vartan
Not only is it frustrating shopping for the "person who has everything" but if they truly have plenty already, it's also wasteful to buy them something they don't need and may not want. Yet it's the holidays, and we want to give.
The best solution to this thorny problem is to spend your money supporting an organization or charity that will use your money for a good purpose- in your giftee's name. Here are three amazing organizations that deserve your support and mean that you have something (amazing!) to give to the minimalist or the person who already has more than they need.
Ecosystems are threatened around the world; by 'adopting' an acre in one of them in your friend or relative's name, you're helping to protect them. Since 1991, over 60,000 acres have been protected worldwide through this program, meaning that native plants, animals and insects are protected in their native habitats. For $50 you can adopt an acre in coral reef in the Pacific, a grassland in Africa, or a southern forest, Appalachian mountain region or California coast in the United States.
According to The Nature Conservancy, "When you give to Adopt an Acre, our scientists and field staff identify key conservation strategies to ensure the lasting protection of your acre. Some of these strategies include:
Acquiring land
Planting trees and restoring native vegetation
Hiring and training park guards and staff to protect against illegal logging and poaching
Working with private landowners to establish permanent conservation easement"
If someone in your family loves the open seas, or spends hours on the beach, they will love that you supported the oceans in their name. Choose from Oceana's $35 Adopt-an-Octopus (there are lots of other sea creatures to choose from, but octopi don't get much love!) kit or spring for the $200 Limited Edition Casey Kit which includes "a special sea turtle plush toy and cookie cutter, plus an oven mitt and a personalized adoption certificate. Your donation will help protect sea turtles from driftnets, long-lines, and other dirty fishing methods."
Halloween should be fun, but every year it gets scarier--for parents and the planet. From the discovery of lead in fake teeth and candy, to chemicals in costumes, to the garbage left in the holiday's wake, it's a wonder more of us haven't given up the festivities and spent October 31 watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. The good news is, there are loads of child- and earth-friendly alternatives to the usual Halloween fare. The most important point when planning to green up any holiday or celebration, especially those involving children, is to get their "buy-in." And of course, your approach makes all the difference. Telling kids, "We're going green this Halloween--that means, no candy," isn't helpful. What can be is a discussion about the challenges that Halloween brings. Obviously, what you say (or don't), depends on the age of your children. But helping them to see the wider ramifications of their actions can help make transitioning to healthier choices more appealing or at least understandable. Many kids are learning about eco-issues in school. They often want to do something about them, but need guidance on where to begin. Talking to them about the excess and waste associated with Halloween (and all holidays and celebrations) and discussing how they can make a difference, may spark their altruism and inspire them to act in positive ways. A great way to start a discussion is to list each aspect of Halloween (costumes, treats, decor and activities), and brainstorm child- and earth-friendly choices to what you've done in the past. Then, encourage your kids to choose one or two of the ideas to implement this year. After Halloween, talk about what worked, what didn't and what you'll do next year.
Costumes-In the "olden days," (the eighties?), many kids made their costumes, often with help from parents. Making the costume was actually an enjoyable, bonding activity. Today, millions of people spend millions of dollars on costumes that are made from non-sustainable materials (like petroleum), that are worn once, then discarded. But there are earth-friendlier alternatives. If you usually buy costumes, consider: Making them. Kids are incredibly gifted and creative when we encourage them. There are almost no costumes that cannot be handmade. If your children are stuck on turning a popular TV or movie character into a costume, brainstorm how you can make it happen with items you already own or can get at no cost by borrowing or making. Be sure to check online for ideas.
Purchasing costumes made from more eco-friendly materials or at least not from plastics. Choose cotton, organic cotton, silk or hemp, for instance. Unfortunately, these alternatives are not yet widely available, but if you're interested in them, visit the Green Halloween® marketplace or ask local stores to consider carrying them next year. And check at the end of this post for some other great online sources.
Trading them.
Arrange a costume swap for National Costume Swap Day (second Saturday in October) with neighbors, check online at swap sites like Green Halloween, or see if you can interest a local child-focused organization in sponsoring a swap. When Halloween is over, don't throw costumes away. Save them, dismantle and hold on to the "parts,"trade or take them to a thrift store such as Goodwill.
Treats and treasures
Halloween may be all about the treats, but happily, there are great alternatives that kids, when given theoption, will happily embrace. You can't do much about the sweets your children receive on their forayaround the neighborhood (although you can have the "Halloween Fairy" replace the confections with awonderful gift when the children are brushing their teeth...shhhh...), but when it comes to what yourfamily hands out, planning ahead so that you are not making a last-minute dash to the grocery store, willhelp you avoid limiting choices to what's on the shelves at the moment.If you have a local natural foods store, check out their offerings. Take your kids along and choose a fewitems to sample if you don't normally shop there. Honey sticks are a favorite and are very inexpensive(never give honey to children under age 2). Many natural food companies, like Larabr, make small "bars"in flavors kids love like peanut butter and chocolate. Assuming you have the time to order online, checkout www.GreenHalloween.org for dozens of alternatives.One issue that often comes up when discussing organic or green choices is cost. While it is true that manyhealthier items cost more, there is a simple solution. Instead of handing out fistfuls (or allowing kids totake as much as they want, which has become the norm), try this: Fill a bowl with a variety of greatchoices, whether sweets or "treasures" like sparkly stones, feathers (yes, kids love these), hairdecorations, temporary tattoos, stickers etc. Cover the bowl with a cloth. When children come to the door,get down to their level and whisper, "At our house, we have some very, very special treats and treasures.You may now choose your favorite." Then with a flourish, whip off the cloth and let them sift.Compliment them on their choice afterwards.If you're not yet ready to totally embrace greener treats and treasures you can still help cut down onexpense and waste by choosing one of these options:Put out two bowls, one with conventional candy, the other with "treasures." Let kids choose oneitem from either bowl.Hand children whatever you are giving them. Do not allow them to take as much as they want.Let older children know that unwrapped candy can be composted.Whatever you do this Halloween, taking time to plan and implement will make the holiday a lot lessspooky!
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter founders of Green Halloween® and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net
It's not easy to find eco-friendly products that are also fashionable and affordable. Enter Simple Shoes. This spring, they introduced Flippees, the first flip-flops on the market with biodegradable soles. Flippees come in a variety of colors for both men and women at only $30 a pop.
Earlier this summer I ordered their Eco-Certified Nubuck Flippees in pink and black. My sandals arrived in a biodegradable bag with a biodegradable hanger, and the foot form inserts were made of post consumer recycled paper.
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