Going Green with Holiday Gifts
During the holidays, the refrain we hear so often is,
It isn't stuff that we need so much, but the idea behind it that counts.
We might shrug the words off, but the idea is right, especially in times
like these when our buying power is limited and the planet earth needs
greater TLC by its inhabitants. Not that I am a flag-bearing ecologist
or an extremist vegetarian, but the thought of meaningful but
eco-friendly gifts struck me yesterday, as I watched an exquisite sunset
in South Florida.
Our earth is a breathtakingly beautiful place if we could look at it
with alien eyes; the photo of our blue planet taken from the space is a
proof for that. Yet, for our petty ends, we disrespect it, clutter it,
thrash it. Could any one among us destroy a piece of art if we knew it
would be worth billions of dollars in a few years? The earth, too, is
highly valuable; except, its worth cannot be measured in currency but in
the quality of human life, for which no price is good enough.
If we want to value our planet while creating happiness through gift
giving, a good start is to offer re-usable, recycled gifts that are
considerate of the environment. Those of us who have little time can
order their gifts from businesses in their community and from websites
online that are eco-friendly.
It makes good sense to give gifts that have several uses built into
them. A few good examples are solar-powered purses, backpacks, and
messenger bags designed as mobile generators for charging cell phones,
cameras, PDA's, and MP3 players. Solar powered watches make exquisite
gifts, also.
Another wonderful gift could be a pet from the local pound. Giving the
pet a good grooming with thorough medical check-up and the required
shots and then offering it as a present can bring tears of joy to the
eyes of the receiver. A caution here is to check with the receiver or
the receiver's parents first. Gifting a pet into an irresponsible
household can be a terrible thing to do.
When a writer-friend who is a member of the same site as I am decided to
crotchet her gifts, all site members rejoiced. If giving a gift means
giving a bit of oneself to the other person, what better way is there
than spending one's time constructing that gift?
Little stocking stuffers like finger and hand puppets can be hand-sewn
or crocheted very easily; homemade plush toys are longer lasting and
less dangerous than most of the toys on the market. For the gardener in
one's gift list, potted plants and garden equipment are always
delightful gifts and they show the gift giver's love for nature and
respect for earth.
Reusable cloth shopping bags make good party favors and stocking
stuffers. Cloth pieces from the ends of bolts are sold for pennies, and
they make good wraps for gifts. Several years ago, lacking any
gift-wrapping paper, I sent a gift, wrapped in cloth and tied with hair
ribbons, to my friends in a third world country. They wrote to tell me
that it made them the happiest, because they made the cloth wrapping
into a baby pinafore, and using every part of the gift was the extra
bonus that came with the gift. To this day, I think, my friends loved
the wrapping better than the present in it.
Considerate gifts take a little time and some imagination. In addition
to time and imagination, while giving gifts of celebration, why not
pamper the planet as well? After all, this magnificent earth is our only
home.
About the author
Joy Cagil is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers Her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/joycag.