The holiday time finds us shopping for gifts for our loved ones and friends. This year has been a challenging one in these tough economic times. Perhaps, however, we have learned a little from our experiences and will take
extra time to consider the words “need” and “longevity” as opposed to “chic” and “disposable.” Too many
gifts end up in landfills before New Year’s Day or are made of inferior quality and parts.

In a perfect world, all gifts would be made from socially and environmentally conscious methods and materials, but for now spend a little extra time this year thinking about your purchases in terms of how the gift was produced and how much the recipient really needs it.
Five ways to shop green:

1. Consider quality over quantity.
Why buy junk for the sake of
quantity, seriously?

2. Challenge yourself to make your gift significant. We’ve all been guilty of thinking we need things only to find them buried in a closet, box, landfill or posted on eBay. Remember the song lyric: “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need”?

3. Buy locally made products or services. Most products made locally are done so using a significantly lower environmental footprint and are of higher quality, especially here in Iowa.

4. Reuse your wrapping paper if possible (or buy recycled brands) and bows. Reusable bags are also good choices in lieu of traditional wrapping paper. Be creative and reduce the day-after-Christmas trash pile.
5. Consider organic food and drink gifts for the non-greenies in your
life. Once you get past the initial squirm and frown you just might
have a convert.
— JEFF