While there are many ways to give at the holidays, one of our favorite ways is to give in honor of our friends and family to charities. This year, we put a spin on it: each gift of a charitable donation is coupled with an eco-friendly gift for the recipient. Here are our favorite ideas for doing just that.
1. For the home improvement aficionado: a donation to Habitat for Humanity with a copy of the Green Guide for Artists: Nontoxic Recipes, Green Art Ideas, & Resources for the Eco-Conscious Artist by Karen Michel.
2. For the dog or cat lover in your life: a donation in their honor to the Humane Society with homemade pet treats.
3. For the person you'd vote "most likely to join Peace Corps": a donation in their honor to UNICEF to help build a well or supply a town with water, with a reusable mug or water bottle.
4. For the locavore: a donation to Farm Aid with a Buy Local 2011 Calendar tea towels from Claudia Pearson
5.For the home cook, a donation to Feeding America with a cookbook, like Lucid Food: Cooking for and Eco-Conscious Life by Louisa Shafia.
6. For the backyard gardener: a donation to Trees for Life, with a selection of organic vegetable seeds or a fruit tree seedling (citrus is a great choice).
Related posts:
• Holiday Giving: Help Those in Need
• 15 Green Gifts Under $50 2010
• 10 Gifts for the Artist, Crafter, or DIYer
• 25 Green Home Gifts Under $25
(Images: Farm Aid; Etsy seller Claudia Pearson.)
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May I suggest Kiva, (www.kiva.org) which is a micro-loan organization? The money get's sent to an individual or group of your choosing then is paid back gradually over time (and can then be given again and again). It's a great thing for kids.