Saturday, December 13, 2014

Retailers love us at this time of year, racing as we do from the mall to Main Street and a myriad of online shopping sites, in search of the perfect gift. But, points out lifestyle blogger Madeline Hinchy, with time and money both at a premium, it’s time to give smarter to our loved ones.

Before you fall into your shopping routine, consider these responsible, earth-friendly choices for everyone on your holiday gift list.

Give an experience – Instead of a thing, give tickets to the theater, or to sporting, music or cultural events. A gift certificate purchased online can be used any time during the year.

Give a battery-free gift – Considering how many batteries end up in the land fill, where they can leak into the groundwater or worse, choose a gift that does not require batteries. If you can’t do that, include rechargeable batteries with your gift.

Give local of DIY gifts – Support your community by choosing gifts from local artists, craftspeople and businesses. Or give a gift made with love in your own kitchen or garden.

Give the gift of time – Use handmade gift certificates promising your services, from babysitting to gardening to running errands to whatever else will best suit recipients.

Donate to a favorite cause – For the person who has everything, make a donation in their name to the cause closest to their heart – perhaps a local theater group, a children’s organization, a local hospital or a national charity.

Create a basket – Someone going off to college? Fill a basket full of favorite snacks, extra socks, toiletries, notebooks, etc. Give a coffee lover or a pasta lover a basket full of tasty choices.

Give a photo – A new family photo, attractively framed, can be appreciated by family far away. You may want to accompany it with a newsy letter about each person in the photo.

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