Last Minute Holiday Shopping

page 2 of 3 | PREV 1 | 2 | 3  NEXT 

In memory of Betsy Lydon, a dedicated and outspoken advocate of family farms, biodiversity and children's environmental health, the Ark Committee of Slow Food USA has establishing a yearly award, the "Betsy." Betsy served as a consumer representative on the National Organic Standards Board, fighting to maintain strict federal certification standards. She was also an invaluable food and agriculture adviser to The Green Guide. In 2004, the first award went to Michael Phillips, an organic farmer and author from the Northern White Mountains in New Hampshire. To make a donation in Betsy's name, call 718-260-8000, visit www.slowfoodusa.org or send a check to Slow Food USA, 20 Jay Street, Suite 313, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Local and Regional

Minimize the distance you and your gifts have to travel this season. Try buying local and regionally produced products. Every locale has a uniquely identifiable product, whether it's maple syrup, organic wine or maybe even locally grown apple or pumpkin pie.

Try contacting your local farmers and artisans to see what they have produced this holiday season. Better yet, support the efforts of local farms with a membership to a local Community Supported Agriculture program. A directory is available at www.localharvest.org/csa.

Or give a membership to a local co-op. Non-working and working memberships are available. Plus, if you've got extra time on your hands, you can donate a few hours of your time to help out a new member. A national listing of co-ops is available at www.coopdirectory.org/directory.htm.

Rush Delivery

Can't find it locally? Last minute shipping can save you the agitation of the midnight hustle and bustle. Look for companies that package multiple items together and use minimal packaging when they ship. For example, Amazon.com packages items in cardboard boxes composed of 25- to 30-percent post-consumer recycled material, and fragile items are cushioned with packing peanuts made from 100-percent recycled material.

While you're there, treat your family with an environmentally themed book. For the kids, take a look at David M. Beadle's The Day the Trash Came Out to Play (Ezra's Earth, 2004, $11.53) or Where Once There Was Wood by Denise Flemming (Henry Holt & Co., 2000, $7.95). And for the kid in us all check out The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1971, $10.17). For more book suggestions, check out The Green Guide's Holiday Reading reviews.

For late clothing choices in organic cotton, Patagonia products ordered by December 21st can be delivered by December 23rd, including the women's Peached Jersey Long-sleeved Tee ($36) and Broken Twill Jacket ($98) and the men's Classic Cotton Sweatshirt ($50) and Long Sleeved Polo ($56). Also available are men's and women's Organic Wool Crew sweaters ($160; www.patagonia.com)