| THE CASUAL GARDENER, Shawna Coronado “Green” Gift Ideas!! = = = = = = = = = Dear Casual Gardener, Got any ideas for “green” gifts? Signed, Trying to Be Green = = = = = = = = = = In the words of the infamous Kermit the Frog, “It’s not easy being green.” Indeed. I encourage you to consider giving thoughtful gifts this year that are not resource-consuming. I realize it’s difficult. I have children and know their tastes – they lean towards anything “digital” and heavily in the direction of battery and electricity consuming gifts with flashing lights, lots of sound and a joystick. Saying I’ve never bought or used this type of gift would be quite hypocritical of me considering the amount of time I spend on the computer. However, it helps to have a starting point. In support of that idea I have created a list of gift ideas which might encourage you to take the next step in environmental awareness: • Give an “experience” gift – a ride in a hot air balloon, theater tickets, or season tickets to a sporting event. • Membership to a museum or nonprofit organization. • Free baby-sitting service. • Share in an environmental fund. • Help someone recycle – give a can crusher, a set of recycling bins or a recycling cart. • Support locally grown produce by giving a membership to a food co-op. Here in Illinois there is a fantastic group called the Green Earth Institute which has a great food co-op. (Go here for more information - http://www. greenearthinstitute.org/csa.html) • Give a meal to a shut-in or a busy family that has no time to cook – make lasagna or a casserole and freeze it so they can use it when convenient • 100% cotton dish towels or sheets; look for unbleached cotton. • Reusable coffee cup with fair trade certified coffee. • Gift basket filled with non-toxic household cleaners (try local co-ops or environmental stores for gift ideas). • An old tricycle, bicycle, rocking chair, etc., fixed up to pass along as an heirloom. • Automatic thermostat control device (automatically turns down heat at night). • Compost bin. • Cloth shopping bag. • Vintage (a.k.a. “recycled”) quilts and comforters. • Water-saving showerhead. • Personalized "coupons," such as a night off from dish duty, a foot massage, etc. • Bat roosting box – bats keep insect populations down. • Bird feeder and seed. • Stationery – made from recycled paper, of course – and stamps. • Car safety kit packed into a coffee can (e.g. candles, orange hazard triangle, etc.). And finally, my personal favorite – • Give the gift of a garden – a gift certificate from your favorite nursery! Let the “greening” begin! Happy Holidays! Please send your gardening questions for Shawna Coronado, The Casual Gardener to dearshawna@thecasualgardener.com or The Casual Gardener, P.O. Box 358, Warrenville, IL 60555. www.thecasualgardener.com |
| The Casual Gardener.com |
| The Casual Gardener Column |
| Copyright 2007 and 2008, The Casual Gardener, Inc., All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Service. |