The holiday season does not have to be a burden on the enviroment. With a little effort and imagination, we can celebrate the season and the planet!

Five Tips for Sustainable Gift-Giving:

Gifts of service require little or no use of natural resources and can be very personal and memorable. Try gift certificates for a massage, music lessons, childcare, car wash, pet service, yoga or a manicure/pedicure.

Giving the gift of an experience can bring fun and memories that can last a lifetime. Tickets to a show, concert or sports event. A family membership to the LA Zoo, The Autry Museum or LACMA.

The gift of history. Value and appeal don’t always have to mean “new and shiny.” Antiques and collectibles have value as well as the added appeal of history. And because they’re “re-used,” there’s no impact on the environment. Take a walk through Magnolia Park. You’re bound to find something!

Homemade is heartfelt. Your time and energy, and culinary skills are just as valued as that store-bought gift which they may not really even need! The gift of food is personal, easy on the environment, and not likely to go to waste. Bake a selection of holiday cookies or a pan of lasagna, put together a wine and cheese sampler on a nice platter, or how about a gift card to a local restaurant? The possibilities are endless!

Give the gift of giving. Last year, I sent money to the Jimmy Carter Foundation in my
sister’s name. I could choose how I wanted the money spent and it came with a nice card. She loved it! www.cartercenter.org
Give a membership to the California State Parks Foundation.
www.calparks.org/JoinToday
Help to make another family’s holiday a happy one and adopt a family through the Burbank Tempory Aid Center.
burbanktemporaryaidcenter.org
The Seva Foundation uses your donation to perform the service you select. Their “Gifts of Service” program includes restoring sight to blind people, clean healthy water, and education.
www.seva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=gos2008_home
Something a little closer to home – donate to the Friends of the LA River (FOLAR). They’re a non-profit organization founded to protect and restore the LA River. I recently went on a private tour with the founder and it was incredible! We were stunned by the history and beauty of the river and are intrigued thinking about what it could be again.
folar.org

Remember, it IS easy being green! Happy Holidays!

by Jennifer Jesperson