| Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas gift buying is | | | | 9. Fair-trade organic chocolate or coffee. Always a hit. |
| in full swing. The challenge is on! With only a few | | | | 10. Clothes and other items made from hemp, wool, or |
| shopping days left and perhaps many gifts still to buy; | | | | organic cotton. |
| here are a few ways to minimize your shopping time | | | | 11. A roll of postage stamps. |
| and frustration and simultaneously make a significant | | | | 12. Office supplies such as recycled paper and |
| difference for the environment. When making a few | | | | envelops. |
| changes in your buying styles and habits you can have | | | | 13 Energy efficient light bulbs, battery re-chargers, or |
| a considerable impact on the environment with little | | | | solar-powered products. |
| effort. | | | | 14. First aid kits or emergency road side equipment. |
| It's really fairly easy. Just follow some of the gift ideas | | | | 15. Board and card games that will be used over and |
| below and enjoy the satisfaction of being part of the | | | | over again. |
| "green" movement by greening your gifts. Make it a | | | | 16. For your children, you can open a savings account, |
| truly "green" holiday this year. Take heed! | | | | buy stocks or bonds. |
| Remember try to give gifts that people need, can use | | | | 17. A gift gasoline card for your teenager or college |
| and are practical. Be creative! Try these...... | | | | student. |
| 1. Tickets to movies, concerts, museums, sporting | | | | 18. A calendar marked with important dates, such as |
| events, outdoor activities or an annual pass to national | | | | birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings. |
| parks. | | | | 19. A book of favorite recipes. |
| 2. House or garden plants, herbs, seeds and bulbs. Pots | | | | 20. Carbon offsetting. This purchase erases negative |
| and planters boxes made from natural ingredients. | | | | energy footprint of reducing carbon emissions. |
| 3. Gift certificates to clothing, electronics, books, | | | | 21. Music and books. itunes or the equivalent |
| grocery, or vitamin stores. | | | | downloadable books and music. |
| 4. Donate to one or more Charities in the name of | | | | 22. Plant trees in the name of your beneficiary. |
| your recipient. | | | | 23. Name a star after |
| 5. Give the gift of YOU! Make coupons for services | | | | 24. Have a party and invite everyone over as your |
| such as babysitting, a night out at the movies, dinners | | | | gift. |
| dates, weekends away, massages, yard work, | | | | 25. A years membership to an Environmental |
| dog-walking or help write a resume or article, give a | | | | organization, a health spa, the auto club. |
| computer lesson or offer some other talent or skill you | | | | The list is really endless if you just take a moment to |
| can share. | | | | think about your purchase. If you consider where the |
| 6. An old book or collector's item. Things with a unique | | | | product was made, what it is made of, who made it, |
| meaning. Shop at antique stores, estate sales or flea | | | | what actually went in to the manufacturing of the |
| markets. | | | | product, you might want to reconsider that purchase. |
| 7. Cook home-baked sweets and put in a reusable tin | | | | Fact: A manufactured item will generate 70 times its |
| box, a kitchen container, or another usable item. | | | | weight in waste during manufacturing. Wow! |
| 8. Any homemade item. A knitted hat or scarf. | | | | |