Add to Greenopia News to My Yahoo!   Add to Greenopia News to Google   Add Greenopia News to My AOL   Greenopia Picks
Email Article Email     Stumble Upon  Digg It  Reddit
Greenopia Christmas Gift Guide 2009: Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything
      by Starre Vartan Submit a Blog Blog Archives

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.

 

The Nature Conservancy's Adopt-an-Acre

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"

 

Oxfam America Unwrapped

For just $12-$50 you can do all sorts of good, from sponsoring the planting of a garden to getting soap to people who need it to keep unhealthy conditions at bay. A can of worms helps a struggling farmer with soil health and aeration and a pile of manure provides organic fertilizer so crops are full of nutrients for the people that eat them. This gift will get everyone talking under the Christmas tree and do some real good besides.

 

Oceana's Adopt-A-Creature

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."

 

 



  Comments(0) Write a Comment  
 

Alternative Yogurts: Try Soy, Goat, Coconut or Sheep's Varieties
The health benefits of yogurt are many, and oft-discussed. Calcium for healthy bones, skin and hair, probiotics for immunity and good digestion, and protein for energy. But 95% of the yogurt out there is made from cow's milk, and those large ruminants have a serious carbon footprint; not to mention that any animal that produces milk only does so to feed their young, meaning that a cow must be constantly reproducing to give milk.

Read More »
Great Green Tech for Outdoor Sports
Spring's almost here and we're all itching to get outside. And while you can certainly run barefoot in the woods (as soon as the ground thaws), there are also lots of fun ways to use technology to green up your outdoor time, so that while you're running through the trees, you can be (virtually) hugging them too.

Read More »
  Browse Ratings



      Products


   Pets
   Gifts
   Toys

      Corporate


   Airlines
   Beverages
   Breweries
   Candies
   Coffee
   Colleges
   Fast Food
   Governors
   HDTVs
   Pet Foods
   Retailers
   Wineries


EcoMegan community profile malibugourmet community profile loveandknowledge community profile ksami408 community profile
Tomisha community profile Sustainable Home community profile AikiHomes community profile greenercleanerla community profile
Laura Hames community profile kzink community profile HootandHeartFlowerCo community profile libbylou community profile
cshells58 community profile Padgett community profile Ecochick community profile hyperlocavore community profile



Thu 3/11/2010:
The Lake Project: Artist Talk with David Maisel... more »
Sat 3/13/2010:
FRESH the Movie in Oakland, Plus Food, Art Show and CSA's... more »
Mon 3/22/2010:
HERS Training for Energy Auditing... more »
Get the latest green product and merchant ratings from Greenopia. Our monthly newsletter keeps you informed.       GO ยป