The Internet is teeming with online stores, catalogs and environmental groups that sell green-friendly gifts for the holidays. Pictured here: a child's snail pull-toy from Earthentree, made by artisans in India from sustainable wood that is dyed with natural vegetable dyes and finished with lead free non-toxic organic resin. Photo: Earthentree.
ear EarthTalk: Dear EarthTalk: Can you recommend some sources for toys and other holiday gifts that are both safe and not harmful to the environment? --Tracy Gately, Marblehead, MA
Given the massive recall of toys contaminated with lead last year, let alone all the other bad news about chemicals seeping out of just about every other conceivable type of consumer item, it’s no wonder that people are nervous about what might be inside the wrapping paper this next holiday season. Luckily, growing environmental concerns—-and consumer demand—-means that plenty of safe and green-friendly items are available for those willing to do a little more than just walk around the closest shopping mall.
Please give me some suggestions for inexpensive Christmas gifts. I love the holidays, but I can't afford to give the gifts that my kids want. Thank you!
--Kathy M.
I don't know about you, but this time of year always goes by quicker than I had hoped. I never have the time that I wish I had to make homemade gifts for those that I love. But I don't have the money to buy gifts either. If I was more organized, I would have started in April and had them done by now, but life happened instead. However, I didn't give up finding some inexpensive and quick gifts that I could make.
These two questions both are about Christmas, so I'll answer them together:
: This year I am on a very tight budget. Besides cutting down my Christmas gift list, I was thinking of making my own crafts to give out as Christmas gifts. Any suggestions? I have saved a lot of household throwaway's such as juice lids, paper towel holders, toilet rolls, etc. Maybe I can invent something with these? Thanks!
--Damaris
I like to sew, bake and make any Christmas presents possible. But my husband and I feel pressure by his family to "do it up" present-wise for his family. It is an underlying expectation. We make a budget and stick to it, but feel pressure to buy certain gifts that exceed our desire for spending. What can we do?
--Deborah/Calif.
: When it's time for a special occasion, we tend to throw the budget out the window. We think things like, "Oh, it's their birthday," or "But it's Christmas!" And we march into further debt.
So, how do I keep the gift and party madness from putting me in debt for months?
hichever holiday(s) your family celebrates, the year often ends with a major blow to the checkbook. Family, friends, co-workers, caregivers--at this time of year, we all want to show our love and appreciation for them with gifts. And as the list grows, and prices rise, we often spend far more time saying "Bah Humbug" than celebrating the joy of the season.
When I hear how much friends are spending this year--$200 or more per child, in most cases--I just shudder. I suspect I haven't spent that much on my two children combined. Probably not even on them and the other kids on my list.
It is possible to do holiday shopping and still start the new year with a positive bank balance.
have this tendency to try and get everyone in my family everything they could possibly imagine for the holidays. While a reasonably noble cause, it is not always a responsible one. Believe me, I have gone well over the limit of both credit cards and checking accounts alike trying to find "the perfect" gift for Mom and to provide a veritable sea of new toys under the tree for my four children. Now, here's a question that begs asking. Why? Why do I have a compulsive desire to do this? Why should I want to, and why should I and so many others be willing to go into debt in order to provide my family's every desire and whim at Christmas time?
ow is the time we start thinking about stockpiling those holiday gifts, and it seems every season we go through the same thing. My family wants to buy toys for my kids but have no clue as to what to buy. Also every year, my kids have this extravagant list of expensive toys that we have to whittle down considerably.
Ironically, though, many of these toys are battery-operated and long about January, the batteries run out. I recharge and rebuy batteries, but some of the toys never get played with too much after that initial first run of battery power. What do I see my kids playing with? The other toys that they can just pick up and play with. Now granted, they are originally dazzled by the latest toy craze that glows and jingles and baubles all over the place, but then they tire of it and turn to the other stuff they kicked aside. That's the stuff they end up playing with for the rest of year.
ive trees require extra maintenance and some compromises, but are more than worth it. They can provide joy at the holiday season indoors and later, in your yard.
Bringing in the tree
Don't plan to keep the live tree inside for an extended period--a few days, to a week maximum, is better for the tree. Bring the tree indoors gradually, and take it back out that way also. A drastic change from very cold outdoor temperatures to indoor warmth can stress a live tree. Start with a sheltered but unheated or cooler space. Place it in a garage or entryway first, or a basement, for a day, or at least overnight.
Water carefully; do not allow the tree to dry out, but do not over-water it either. Over-watering can cause root rot. Ed Mullins, a live tree grower, suggests placing the root ball in a large bucket or tub and keeping it moist, but not soggy.
ow that the holidays are upon us, what do you do when your child asks what to give a teacher--or Grandma and Grandpa?
Don't panic! You don't have to break your budget to include your child's teacher or any special person they'd like to give a gift to. You and your child can make creative gifts on a budget that all are sure to enjoy. All of these gifts can be made for under $20.00.
The questions Jonni answers:
--Do you know of any recipe out there for teether cookies?
--I am looking for ways to save on Christmas gift wrapping without looking like I am being too cheap. Any suggestions?
--After 14 years I am starting over again. I will be having a baby in August. Since I am not allowed to work by order of my doctor I am trying to be frugal. I am in search of a recipe for homemade diaper wipes.
on't throw away those 16-ounce size plastic soda (pop) and water bottles. Turn them into decorative Christmas tree candy holders that will add a festive feel to your holiday table. "This was easier than I thought it would be when I read the directions," says Lynda Hannan.
ear EarthTalk: Dear EarthTalk: Can you recommend some sources for toys and other holiday gifts that are both safe and not harmful to the environment?
Please give me some suggestions for inexpensive Christmas gifts. I love the holidays, but I can't afford to give the gifts that my kids want. Thank you!
I don't know about you, but this time of year always goes by quicker than I had hoped. I never have the time that I wish I had to make homemade gifts for those that I love. But I don't have the money to buy gifts either. If I was more organized, I would have started in April and had them done by now, but life happened instead. However, I didn't give up finding some inexpensive and quick gifts that I could make.
hichever holiday(s) your family celebrates, the year often ends with a major blow to the checkbook. Family, friends, co-workers, caregivers--at this time of year, we all want to show our love and appreciation for them with gifts. And as the list grows, and prices rise, we often spend far more time saying "Bah Humbug" than celebrating the joy of the season.
have this tendency to try and get everyone in my family everything they could possibly imagine for the holidays. While a reasonably noble cause, it is not always a responsible one. Believe me, I have gone well over the limit of both credit cards and checking accounts alike trying to find "the perfect" gift for Mom and to provide a veritable sea of new toys under the tree for my four children.
Now, here's a question that begs asking. Why? Why do I have a compulsive desire to do this? Why should I want to, and why should I and so many others be willing to go into debt in order to provide my family's every desire and whim at Christmas time? 
ow is the time we start thinking about stockpiling those holiday gifts, and it seems every season we go through the same thing. My family wants to buy toys for my kids but have no clue as to what to buy. Also every year, my kids have this extravagant list of expensive toys that we have to whittle down considerably. 
ive trees require extra maintenance and some compromises, but are more than worth it. They can provide joy at the holiday season indoors and later, in your yard.
on't throw away those 16-ounce size plastic soda (pop) and water bottles. Turn them into decorative Christmas tree candy holders that will add a festive feel to your holiday table. "This was easier than I thought it would be when I read the directions," says Lynda Hannan.
