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COCKTAIL FACT
After watching horror movies, Toshio inevitably leaves the lights on all night.
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home › tip library › Green Gifts - Experience Gifts
Do you need a gift for your favorite "has-everything" friend (who happens to have a tiny, little apartment)?
The Bite
We did, so we squeezed into Toshio's elfin SF apartment and found his holiday wish list, written in miniature lettering on a small, recycled post-it. City living doesn't afford him much space, so the last thing he needs is more stuff piling up at his place. A few non-material "experience" gifts should do the trick.The Benefits
- Less stuff. As our SF Biter team members know, closet space can be hard to come by, so spring for an "experience" gift instead of something that takes up precious closet space.
- Less waste. We throw away about 25% more waste during the holidays, so less wrapping paper and ribbons is often a good thing.
- An experience to remember. Checking out a movie together sure beats another fruitcake.
Wanna Try?
- Spa Finder - everyone loves a massage. These gift certificates are accepted at more than 3,500 spas worldwide ($50 and up).
- NativeEnergy - carbon offset your pal's most egregious eco-behavior with value-added holiday cards ($12-$72).
- GreenDimes - stops your friends' junk mail for a year, with a bonus: one tree will be planted for them each month ($36).
- iTunes - pair an iTunes electronic gift card with some artist/album suggestions ($15-$50).
- CinemaNow - get 'em a gift certificate, and you might even get invited over to watch some of the many new releases available through this online movie rental service ($5-$50).
- Charity Navigator - instead of giving gifts, Toshio's extended fam makes tax-deductible donations in each other's names.
Dec 15,2006
Sponsor
I just did something so satisfying the other day. I got rid of all my tchotzkes.
Bon voyage, Eiffel Tower miniature! Auf wiedersehen, novelty Oktoberfest stein!
It's bad enough living in a city where most apartments are small enough to make Thumbelina claustrophobic. Accumulation of stuff that I don't need just makes it worse. That's part of the inspiration behind my extended fam's yearly Christmas donation. Instead of giving each other material gifts, one of us chooses a charity and we all write a check. It's waste-free and goes a little further than yule-themed handsoap or a fruitcake. Last year, I got to choose, so we all donated to Amnesty International. (Check out a few more of The Bite team's fave charities in our Giving It Away tip.)
Next time you're shopping for a gift, just remember that it's the thought that counts. Think before you buy, and you might save your friend a trip to Goodwill.
-Toshio, off to unload a big bag of stuff at the local homeless shelter...
Biter Comments...
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Meredith | December 15, 2006 at 04:06 AM