Sustainable Gifts: I’m dreaming of a GREEN Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza
The holiday season is in full swing. For those who celebrate Hanukkah, it’s already begun. It’s not too late to pick some gifts that will please the people on your list and support the planet, too. Below are some ideas, some recycled from previous columns and some new ones. All are calculated to make it easy for you to support the environment and give a meaningful gift, too.
- For the Eco-Kids on your list, the book 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth, by the Earthworks Group will entertain and educate children with easy projects that will make a difference today and make changes for the future. Parents and other significant adults can partner with their kids and learn about sustainability while spending quality time with them.
- Instead of a house “warming” gift, you can give a house “lighting” gift. Many people just don’t think about the kind of light bulbs they use. Give someone who has everything a supply of CFLs, (compact fluorescent light bulbs) to replace some of the incandescent bulbs they use. The technology is improving and they now come in styles and sizes that that look like old-fashioned bulbs. They even have floodlight type bulbs. These are particularly helpful for lights that are used outside, like porch lights. Over the life of each CFL bulb it is estimated that you will save $30 in energy costs, and prevent more than 400 pounds of greenhouse gasses.
- For those for whom you just can’t think of the right gift, you can give an honor gift donate to a local charitable cause. There are locally based groups who fight health problems like cancer and heart disease and others that supply social service support or protect and shelter animals.
- Speaking of donations, there are also national and international groups who fight to protect the earth’s environment and endangered animals. Some allow you to “adopt” a particular endangered animal and often have a small soft toy that represents the animal that is sent with the notice of the gift to your loved one. Check out Defenders of Wildlife at www.defenders.org or the World wildlife Fund at www.wwf.org.
- This year The Nature Conservancy is providing gift givers the opportunity to Adopt and Acre. This donation supports efforts to save a special part of the rainforest. If you are more into the ocean, you can help Rescue the Reef to help protect the world’s coral reefs.
- Buy a tree. The National Arbor Day Foundation suggests that in 50 years a tree provides over $150,000 worth of oxygen, air pollution and erosion control as well as water recycling. You can go to a local nursery or garden store and arrange to have a tree available and planted at just the right time for our climate. This is also an opportunity for making a donation if you would like to have trees planted to help replenish the rainforest.
- Bicycle gear can be a great way to encourage your favorite biker (and yourself) to leave the car behind occasionally and do those short-trip errands without using petroleum power. Warm clothes, safety equipment and a biker pack can make those trips to return videos or to pick up some milk an opportunity to help the ecology, and build health and fitness, too.
- Make something. A knitted scarf can help a friend keep warm when they turn down the thermostat a degree or two to save energy. Homemade goodies are also fun to make and to receive. You could make a full meal for a homebound friend or a super-busy family. Look for ingredients that are local whenever possible. Gifts from the hands can really warm the heart.
