Holiday Gift Guide: Gift Certificates
by Erin Courtenay - Madison, WI on 12.18.05
The final week before Christmas is when many of us finally start giving some real thought to our gift shopping. Unfortunately this can be a challenge if we hope to have something under the tree in time for the main event. This is where the blessed gift certificate comes in. Though they may not seem as personal - who hasn't breathed a sigh of relief when they got a gift card instead of a tacky holiday themed sweater? Rather than going for the Barnes and Noble gift card from the check-out lane at the grocery store, give one of these eco-certificates a try:
A - The Green Apple: Coupons for Natural Living in NYC - 200 discount coupons redeemable at all kinds of stores, restaurants, and fitness and yoga centers in NYC, plus nearly 150 of the coupons can be used online or through mail-order $19.95
B - Drive Neutral Certification - for about the cost of a single tank of gas, you can help a friend or family member neutralize their emissions for an entire year.
C - Community Supported Agriculture membership - Visit the Local Harvest site to find a CSA near you and purchase a share for a friend or family member.
D - Earth Share-branded CharityGift™ cards can be used to help any of Earth Share's member organizations, or all of them through a general gift to Earth Share -- the choice belongs to the gift recipient.
In Minnesota we have the Blue Sky Guide (same kind of thing as in NYC). It's something in the $20 range and has amazing coupons. Local venues, food coupons, local restaurants, gas coupons (including E85), local co-ops, and all with a distinctly eco flavor. I have really loved mine this year, in fact I got 2.
http://www.findbluesky.com/ you can get yours here or find a local place to get one. Some local groups are also doing fundraisers by selling them.