Present Tense: Our Picks
Photo by Julie Toy/Getty Images
(Part of my Green This House program.)
We’ve been trying our darndest, since our decision to live more sustainably almost a year ago, to give waste-free, non-consumerist gifts that were not only carefully chosen with the giftee in mind, but also reflected our values (but hopefully without being sanctimonious or pushy, because no one likes a Smug-a-lot; we have cats for that) Consuming less of everything all year also meant we could afford to spend more on what truly mattered.
Our current tally:
Pop-in-law: My husband’s father originally hails from Pakistan, and so the kids all chipped in for a Pakistan Shelter Kit from Mercy Corps (a Charity Navigator four-star charity) to provide “materials, tools and labor to build cold-weather shelters” for already-poor Pakistani families who were displaced in the crippling 2005 earthquake.
Mom-in-law: A massage session at an organic spa.
My parents: Cash. (We’re Chinese; cashola = LOVE)
My brother: My big bro, who is the proverbial Man Who Has Everything, has long considered the almost-endangered polar bear, with its take-it-easy ‘tude, his totem animal. I thought it only appropriate to make a donation to NRDC Biogem’s polar-bear-conservation efforts, in the face of global-warming pollution, in his name.
The hub: My sweetie gets as pumped up about going to the zoo as your average five-year-old, especially if you gave him a push in the direction of the hippo habitat. For his birthday, he became a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society (a top 10 Charity Navigator charity), which entitles him to free, year-round admission to all of their parks, including the Central Park and Bronx zoos. He also gets to support “300 WCS Conservation projects in over 50 countries that protect wildlife habitats and endangered species.”
Related articles:
1. Simplifying the Holidays
2. Baa Ram Ewe: Gifts From the Farm
monkey said,
November 27, 2006 at 1:53 pm
excellent gift ideas :) for my bf’s birthday i conserved an acre of rainforest in ecuador in his name. that was the closest to colombia where his family is from…
I tried finding the WLT on the charity navigator but then it can’t be found. then i realize the navigator is for US only and WLT is based in UK. hmm looking at their website right now, I see Sir David Attenborough as their patron so that shouldn’t be too bad. :)
I really like the Pakistan Shelter Kit!! I must find something similar for his family :)
monkey said,
November 27, 2006 at 1:53 pm
oops, forgot to mention that WLT stands for the World Land Trust
thissinglespark said,
November 27, 2006 at 2:49 pm
My father-in-law also hails from Pakistan. I’m stealing your idea!
an9ie said,
November 28, 2006 at 5:10 am
Zoo passes are a great gift! My ex and I got year-round passes to the Perth Zoo, and for many weekends it was a favourite cycling/picnic destination. Animals make sure you never see the same thing each time :)