November 14, 2006 at 2:50 pm
· Filed under Anti-Consumerism, Conscious Consumption, Environmentalism, Green Gifts, Poverty
 Tired of watching your home turn into a landfill of unnecessary “stuff”? Create a gift registry with Heifer International and let the gift-givers in your life help end world poverty by giving needy families poultry, sheep, pigs, or other livestock, instead—a far more sustainable approach than short-term relief. (From $10, Heifer International)
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 Support natural, sustainable, and chemical-free methods of agriculture in New England by “renting” a sheep, a fair-trade coffee tree, a hive of bees, and more from Rent Mother Nature. You (or other gift recipient) will get a personalized lease agreement, progress updates throughout the growing season (with an “action shot” of your investment hard at work if you throw in a gift basket), and a harvest of a blanket, coffee beans, or honey, depending on your lease. (From $49.95, Rent Mother Nature)
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 Adopt a rescued farm animal (for you or a pal) living at Farm Sanctuary’s shelter in upstate New York. All you have to do is pick out an animal from a recent cruelty case, fill out the monthly sponsorship form, and you’ll receive an adoption certificate (with a color photograph of your adoptee), an adoption card, and more. Monthly sponsors are also welcome to visit their adoptee at the farm year-round. (From $10 per month for a year, Farm Sanctuary)
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 Adopt a Dorset ewe from the New Hampshire-based Owen’s Farm and you’ll get seven seasonal visits, six farm updates, a journal and calender, an invitation to Shearing Day, an adoption certificate, and an invitation to the farm’s end-of-year sheep party. You’ll even get a phone call if your sheep goes into labor. The best part: At the end of the year, you’ll get your sheep’s fleece, which the farm can process into roving, yarn or quilt batting for you for extra. ($112 per year, Owen’s Farm)
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 This holiday, give the gift of a sheep (or camel or cow) to families in need so they can create their own income. You’ll get a personalized gift card (with your animal’s proud mug) to present to your friend or family member, plus the satisfaction that you’ve helped alleviate poverty and hunger in the developing world. (From $45, Oxfam America)
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azgoddess said,
November 14, 2006 at 6:35 pm
what wonderful ideas…thanks so much for sharing…
Rebecca said,
November 14, 2006 at 7:18 pm
I love these ideas! What a wonderful way to share the season without a bunch of stuff.
juanita said,
November 14, 2006 at 10:24 pm
I LOVE the Nature Lease gift ideas.
Amy Stodghill said,
November 15, 2006 at 11:20 am
Just had a flash back from The Little Lamb book from my childhood… :)
Adelin said,
November 15, 2006 at 1:10 pm
The Farm Sanctuary is really close to Ithaca. They do little booths and stuff around here now and then. A couple weeks ago they had some dudes dressed up like a cow and a chicken walking around a park in downtown to advertise visits and the cow peeked up the chicken’s tail, and a woman was looking for car keys by unzipping the back of the cow and feeling in the cow-man’s jeans pocket. It was okay though, because the cow-man was her husband and she really needed to get into the car.
Anyway. They’re doing a special Thanksgiving Turkey dinner. For the turkeys. You can join them for a vegetarian meal :)
The Worsted Witch » Simplifying the Holidays said,
November 16, 2006 at 7:44 pm
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The Worsted Witch » Present Tense: Our Picks said,
November 28, 2006 at 12:58 pm
[...] Related articles: 1. Simplifying the Holidays 2. Baa Ram Ewe: Gifts From the Farm [...]