Here are some more ideas for giving charitable donations in place of gifts that will end up being returned, exchanged, regifted, or -- worse -- thrown away this holiday season.
A gift of $25 or more entitles your recipient to full membership benefits, including a year long subscription to the Friends of the Earth news magazine, the right to vote in our annual election, invitations to special events, and the knowledge that they are part of the fight to build a healthy and just world.
Another gift membership opportunity, this time for the clean energy gurus who support "natural capitalism" at The Rocky Mountain Institute.
Let your friend or family member choose the micro-loan they'd like to give with Kiva e-gift certificates.
Redefine Christmas
Give or request a donation through this site that's looking to bring back the true charitable spirit of Christmas.
Related post
eco holiday gift guide: for the philanthropist
12 December 2008
more philanthropic gift giving
10 December 2008
the festival of (eco-friendly) lights
Celebrating Hanukkah this year? Break out the menorah and be sure to light up responsibly with beeswax candles. As I've mentioned before, beeswax is healthier for you, better for the planet, and helps the imperiled bees. Paraffin wax is petroleum derived and polluting, and some conventional candles have lead in their wicks.
Here are a few options:
Big Dipper Wax Works Hanukkah Candles
$20
45 hand-dipped tapers burn for 75 minutes each.
Natural Beeswax Hanukkah Candles
$11.95
Go au natural with these lovely honeycomb beeswax candles.
Chanukah Hannukah Festive Beeswax Candles
$19.99
Or get more festive and go for a rainbow of candle colors.
Get the kiddles together and have a menorah candle making party.
09 December 2008
holiday craft fairs
What's better than unique handmade goodies for your nearest and dearest this holiday season? Okay, maybe a trip to Bali would be nice -- but I think this is the next best thing: a gift from an NYC craft fair. [via Brooklyn Based]
Dec. 14 and 21, 11am-6pm
Gifted: A Holiday Market. You've only got two more Sundays to shop to your heart's content with the folks who brought you the Brooklyn Flea (Time Out New York has a part in this, too). Just across the street from the usual Brooklyn Flea, a warmer venue awaits in the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, 317 Clermont Avenue.
[Image, right: Elephant toys by Acorn]
Dec. 14, 10am-7:30pm
BUST Holiday Craftacular. Handmade jewelry, vintage duds, and delicious edibles are just some of the things you'll find at the craftiest of fairs in the land. At the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street in Manhattan.
Dec. 18-23, noon-6pm
New York Creates’ Fourth Annual Holiday Crafts Fair. Pick up fashionable wares like clothing, pottery, or beaded jewelry from more than 25 juried artisans at the Brooklyn Historical Society. 128 Pierrpont Street.
[Image: Toshie Otsuka's coffee cup]
eko-lab sample sale
This weekend at 121 Ludlow St check out the holiday gift and sample sale brought to you by Ekovaruhuset, aka Eko-Lab. Terrific fair-trade organic cotton goods as well as crochet lessons and refreshments... Check it out!
We at Eko-Lab your local sustainable design co-op would like to invite you to our first ever Holiday gift & sample sale. On Saturday and Sunday, December 13th & 14th, 2008, we will be selling their wearable creations for woman and baby as well as their one of a kind stuffed animals. Every item is fair-made and produced following strict, sustainability guidelines. The co-op designers will also be instructing curious crafty customers on the basics of crochet with laid back lessons throughout this two day holiday event. Yummy tea and refreshments will be served to all. Holiday tunes will be played mixed with the laughter and warmth from 6 eko-girls.
We look forward to seeing you!
08 December 2008
the gift of time
Unclutterer, a blog that helps people like me (the chronically cluttered) get organized has a great post on one of the most environmentally responsible gifts you could ever give: your time. Oh, and it doesn't cost you any money.
Here's a taste:The gift of your time can be to spend an hour, a day, or an evening with the friend or loved one of your choice. You can set up the time for doing activities they enjoy, such as playing video games or taking a walk. Lock away your Blackberry so that you have quality time together without distractions.
Giving time is a good holiday stress reducer, too, because you’ll spend less money. The American Psychological Association names money as the #1 cause of stress over the holidays. With today’s economy, the pressure may be especially apparent this year. You can take yourself off the gift-buying hook by coming up with creative ways to give of your time (which is really giving of yourself).
One great time give-away is to offer a needed service to your gift recipient. Sometimes the things that are second-nature to you are downright hard or impossible for others to do. If it weren’t for my husband, I know that the gas fireplace would still be unusable, but for him it took all of 15 minutes to fix.
You can use your gift of time to help someone address something that would otherwise not get done unless they hired a professional.
What are your skills? Think about what you can do to assist people with time gift packages.
Here's the rest.
05 December 2008
handmade craft fair this sunday
This Sunday from noon to 7pm at 3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave, corner of Stagg St, East Williamsburg) get your local/handmade/one-of-a-kind shop on...
Browse the handmade goods & treats of over 50 local artisans, craft mavens & culinary masters including everything from LED Hula hoops & dog costumes, to custom cut clothes & jewelry, furniture & vintage ware from Brooklyn Kitchen, cookies & chocolates, wrapping paper, pillows & body soaps, custom electronics and Cut Brooklyn knives.
PLUS free gift bags, live music from Sigmund Droid & VJ Clay Franklin, chili & corn bread from Tom Mylan (of Marlow and Sons, Diner & Bonita), FREE Gimme coffee, spiked drinks, a costume photobooth by Deluxa and FREE workshops in textile design, electronics and collage.
creative wrapping: furoshiki
When I was a kid I would rip open a gift with abandon, caring little what happened to the wrapping paper. It was agonizing to watch those people with the opposite approach, slowly and gently unwrapping, taking the utmost care not to tear the paper.
But now I'm the one who's carefully disassembling the outer wrappings of a gift, so I can reuse it at least one more time. If I don't reuse paper or buy recycled content paper like the kind from Fish Lips, I try to find some other way of presenting a gift. Sometimes I'll decoupage a box with magazine clippings and scrap paper. But that can be time consuming.
There's a much simpler and sustainable way to wrap gifts -- furoshiki. No need for paper, tape, or scissors. You don't even need ribbons to make it all pretty. All it takes is a piece of fabric and some folding skills. You can even use a scarf to wrap for a two-in-one gift.
You can get furoshiki fabrics from VivaTerra
(made from Dupioni silk)
$14 for large (54")
Or get a vintage scarf on eBay
Or get your own fabric and learn how to fold Japanese style
04 December 2008
eco holiday gift guide: for dad
Dad -- he's usually the one who has everything. Hopefully, you can surprise him with one of these green gifts.
Under $100
Casio Men's G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch #GW500AJP-1AV
$99 at Amazon
Black & Decker NHT518-1 18-Volt Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer
$93.99 at Amazon
Buckshot Organic Cotton Flannel Shirt
$75 at Patagonia
Under $75
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
$54.99 at Amazon
Organic Cotton Polo Shirt
$50 at Patagonia
Under $50
Totally Bamboo Longa Tonga Cutting Board
$49.99 at Amazon
EverLite Solar Headlamp
$47.95 at Amazon
Man vs. Wild - Season 1 (6 DVD set)
$31.99 at Amazon
Warm and Fuzzy Scarf
(other colors available)
On sale $26.37
at OriginalGood
Under $25
Teko EcoMerino Wool Light Hiking Crew Socks
$17.95 at REI
Every Litter Bit Helps Journal
$17.95 at OriginalGood
Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills, Third Edition
$16.47 on Amazon
Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet
$15.29 at Amazon
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle (27 oz)
$11.99 at Amazon
The Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs (Consumer Reports: You Need to Know)
$10.85 at Amazon
03 December 2008
local holiday shopping
There are a lot of great holiday shopping options right here in NYC that support local and/or sustainable artisans. Avoid the madness of big box shopping and keep it local. Check 'em out:
Sustainable NYC
139 Avenue A (@ 9th St)
They've got more sustainable goods than you can shake a stick at. Plus, I hear they've opened a bigger store with even more selection.
Buy in Brooklyn Snowflake Celebration
On Thursday, December 11th, check out the deals offered at Brooklyn businesses (here's the list of participants)
Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square
Holiday goodies abound... just be sure to go on off hours (or rainy days) to avoid the crowds.
Young Designer's Market
268 Mulberry St (btwn Houston & Prince)
Jewelry, vintage duds, and knitwear -- just some of the locally designed items you'll find at the market.
Edge*nyNOHO
65 Bleecker St (btwn B'way & Lafayette)
A modern day agora in a store front on Bleecker St featuring a range of products from local artisans.
Organic Avenue
101 Stanton St (btwn Orchard & Ludlow)
You'll find all kinds of treats here: organic, raw, and vegan edibles; books; cosmetics; and even some organic clothing items.
Kaight
83 Orchard St (btwn Grand & Broome)
Cool eco fashion and jewelry, in a friendly down-to-earth atmosphere.
Gominyc
443 E 6th St (btwn Ave A and 1st)
More eco duds for your favorite earth-loving fashionista.
and don't forget to BYOB!
02 December 2008
eco holiday gift guide: for the philanthropist
You know who they are, the person who says "I don't want any gifts, please!" Honor their wishes and get them the gift of compassion and good will.
Heifer International
Gift a goat (or other charitable gift) for a family in need
Oxfam Unwrapped
Invest in a small business, to help someone get started in the right direction
Center for Biological Diversity
Support their cause by making a donation in the recipient's name
The Nature Conservancy
Adopt an acre in the US or plant trees in Brazil in their name
Environmental Working Group
Get a Pollution Solutions Holiday Gift Bag when you donate
World Wildlife Fund
Adopt an endangered animal (symbolically, of course)
Farm Sanctuary
Adopt a farm animal like Susie Moo, here (you don't get to take her home)
Global Giving
A gift card so the recipient can decide where their donation will go
(Choose the email version to save resources!)
Or find their favorite cause on Charity Navigator.
Related post
more philanthropic gift giving
