Green Tip #20

“Make Every Cent Count”

The other day a very close friend asked me for ideas for Christmas presents.  Since I am not an avid shopper, it’s embarrassing to say that, I have not even thought about Christmas shopping yet!  This article goes out to my dear friend and others who are serious about changing daily habits to improve environmental, health, social, cultural and economic issues.

This year when you Christmas shop, make every attempt to make every cent count.  Remember that whatever you purchase affects the environment, health, society, cultural uniqueness and the economy--locally, nationally and internationally.  Keep the following themes in mind when shopping.  Shop at small, locally/regionally owned stores when possible.  Make your purchases good for the environment and health by purchasing organic and sustainable products.  Help to support developing countries by making Fair Trade purchases.  Remember: “less is more”.  Pay more for one or two high quality and durable items that have a long life and are highly recyclable and/or biodegradable, instead of a lot of little cheaply made items that are not good for the environment.  Purchase gifts that a person truly needs and is useful or appreciated.  Come to terms with the fact that some people simply do not need or want gifts.  Don’t worry; there are plenty of wonderful ideas even for the person who is in this last category!

Here are some great places to shop locally and regionally:

1. Local art galleries/shops/flea markets/farmer’s markets that sell locally made art.  Logan, Nelsonville and Athens have a lot of options.  Between shopping, visit a small local restaurant or coffee shop that offers organic/local/Fair Trade:  Casa Nueva and Cantina at 4 W. State St., Uptown Athens and Fullbrooks Café at 6 public square, Nelsonville (organic/Fair Trade coffee) are just a couple.
2. Local coffee roaster that sells organic/Fair Trade coffee:  Hocking Hills Roasters located in the flea market off SR 33 in Rockbridge.  www.hhcomforts.com.
3. Local shops/farmer’s markets for locally made organic soaps, organic candles, jewelry, clothing, accessories and edibles.
4. Local store that sells Fair Trade gifts:  Around The World Treasures.  Store locations:  Hocking Hills Flea Market (booth 109), SR 33 in Rockbridge and Hocking Hill’s Craft Mall at Rempel’s Grove, SR 664 N., Logan (booth 54).  The owner has been selling and promoting Fair Trade since the early 1980’s.
5. Local restaurants, yoga studios, massage therapists, cultural/entertainment venues that offer gift certificates.

For a comprehensive list of your local and regional shops and services, visit or call:

Hocking Hills Tourism Association, www.1800hocking.com,  1-800-HOCKING.

Athen’s County Visitor’s Bureau, www.athensohio.com,  1-800-878-9767.

If you absolutely cannot find what you are looking for locally, then here are some of my personal favorite businesses/organizations that promote and sell durable, environmentally and/or socially responsible products.

1. Green America (just changed their name from Co-Op America), www.greenpages.org. This is a national guide to environmental and socially responsible businesses.   This is a great site to look for toys, clothing, body care products, accessories, bedding, Fair Trade, etc.
2. Back To Basic Toys, www.backtobasictoys, sells durable old-fashioned metal and wooden toys and games.
3. Montessori Services, www.montessoriservices.com, sells durable hands on and useful products to help children learn useful skills and grow into contributing adults.
4. Magic Cabin Dolls, www.majiccabin.com, sells old-fashioned, innocent toys and games made out of wood, cloth and metal.
5. The Vermont Country Store, www.vermontcountrystore.com, “purveyors of the practical and hard-to-find.”  Started in 1946, this store’s motto is:  “What we sell must be useful, work and make sense.”  They sell good old-fashioned, durable items from toys to edible goodies to kitchenware to body care products and more.
6. Gardener’s Supply Company, www.gardeners.com, sells durable, environmentally friendly outdoor products such as compost units, compost crocks, solar lights, decorative bird houses/feeders, practical garden gear, rainbarrels, super efficient LED Christmas lights and more.
7. Acacia, www.acaciacatalogue.com, offers earth-friendly yoga gear, clothing and accessories.
8. Gaiam, www.gaiamliving.com, www.gaiamharmony.com, www.realgoods.com.  They offer everything from bedding to clothing to cleaning to personal health products to solar to compost units to composting toilets to wind turbines to hydropower.
9. Isabella, www.IsabellaCatalog.com, mostly personal care and spiritual gifts.
10. A Greater Gift, www.agreatergift.org, sells Fair Trade jewelry, accessories, games and Christmas ornaments.
11. Work of Human Hands, www.crsfairtrade.org, sells Fair Trade jewelry, accessories, kitchenware, coffee, chocolate, body care, musical instruments, and Christmas decorations.

This year, make every cent count and make everyone and everything merry (even the animals and plants!) as you shop for Christmas in a more sustainable fashion.  Next week’s topic will cover what to do for the person who doesn’t need or want gifts.