Post by Heather on Nov 26, 2005 6:55:43 GMT 10
I found this in my Christmas favourites...lots of neat ideas. 
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Buy Nothing Christmas
To help you celebrate your Buy Nothing Christmas.
Many of the following ideas were borrowed from Bill McKibben's Hundred Dollar Holiday and from the Center for a New American Dream. You are welcome to give us your gift ideas.
For your husband: Go to your favourite market, second hand shop or boot sale and get a nice frame. With your most creative writing, write your wedding vows. ? Maud Ray
I usually make fudge (it helps to find a really good recipe) and put it in tins. I also buy old frames for cards, etc., I think the person would enjoy. I don't buy for anyone that is not either my child or parents/inlaws. And other than for the kids, I refuse to pay a lot. The cheaper it is the more personal it is sometimes.? Shelley, Prince Edward Island, Canada
For me, environment and peace issues are interrelated, inseparable even. Some gift purchases help the environment and peace: Give people CFL bulbs to save energy. Give Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate made in people-friendly and earth-friendly ways. Buy recycled paper for people. If possible pay someone to buy clean electricity which is still more expensive than dirty electricity. And one of our special concerns: Purchase a Peace Bond from the Nonviolent Peaceforce which even now has peace teams in Sri Lanka. "Upon Maturity the Bearer will See a Large International Team Trained for Nonviolent Conflict Intervention Around the World". Go to NonviolentPeaceforce.org to learn more. Keep up the good work. ? A. Palmer, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Perhaps an alternative to department stores is Ten Thousand Villages which provides vital, fair income to Third World artisans by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. This alternative emphasizes the fair distribution of wealth while still in a consumerism context. ? Shalom, Carl
Make a sweater from yarn found at goodwill/used clothing store.? Kristina Giggz
Look through your (and your kids') old clothes, cut out squares of fabrics they will remember, and make a little wall hanging or pillow or stuffed toy or whatever. Pick a nice quote or scripture verse and write it up in calligraphy or a nice handwriting. ? Gwenyth
When i was little my parents always recorded a tape of me singing christmas caroles and/or reading stories for my grandparents and other family that lived far away. When i got older i started to make little comics for my friends, that were about us and things we had done. always with an added twist and some inside humour. This is totally fun to do- even if you're drawings are crappy. i think that this year i will write stories for my friends and family telling them why i love them! ? T.B.
Make pillows or stuffed animals. Cut out soft pieces of felt and hot glue them on to the pillow to personalize them with messages or make cute faces. ? Kaitlin
Give something you don't use any more. A sweater that you only wore once; a set of drinking glasses you forgot you owned. Clean them up and give them as gifts. I have found all sorts of things in my apartment that I have no need for, but know someone who would appreciate and enjoy it! ? Jessica
When someone asks what I want for Christmas I tell them, "Peace on Earth. Goodwill for all". If they explore the idea further (usually with, "No, really. What do you want?") I tell them to pick a charity and give to them whatever they would have spent on me. It makes me feel good that someone who really needs it is getting something. And ... It always fits! ? Bill Budenholzer
Babysitting coupons for the new parents. Grow your own veggies, can or freeze them and give them away at Christmas/Solstice. Spend more time with your family and friends...when you're dead you won't be able to. Decide as a family to work less hours, spend less and have more time together. Shovel the sidewalk for your neighbour. Plant trees. ? Lee
Make a small drawing of your select person's living room or other room in their house and give it to them.
? Julian van Mossel-Forrester
I have been giving more gifts that consist of certificates of gift from the Heifer Project. This year the only exception is my 9 year old granddaughter. ? Paul Shankland
I am making several batches of biscuits ("cookies" your side of the pond!) and boxes from some lovely dark red recycled card. ? Alice Crawford
Plant plants, now, to give for Christmas. Herbs, in particular. This is one way to always be present in your loved one's days for a while to come. ? jeela
Buy a used book and in the inside cover explain why you chose the book for that person.
Make tree ornaments out of old CDs.
Purchase gifts at a fair-trade shop, garage sale or thrift shop.
Make hand-made soap or candles.
If you are skilled in a particular area, offer a lesson or class.
Make a birdseed ball.
Make a soothing, herb pillow filled with lavender, rose, etc.
Collect quotes that make you think of someone.
Stamp and address postcards for family members.
For the elderly people in your life, research newspaper and magazine articles from their youth and present in a creative fashion.
Make a calendar with pictures of family members and/or scenery.
Wrap gifts in newspaper, maps, scarves or interesting clothing.
Fill an old trunk or suitcase with fun clothing, hats and gaudy jewelry for your children to play dress-up.
Make a puppet from a sock.
Give away a valued possession.
Make a mixed cassette tape and choose songs that make you think of that person. Under each title, explain why you chose that song.
Frame a piece of your artwork.
Fill a basket with home-made goodies.
Bake your favourite holiday treat and pack in a recycled tin.
Paint an empty wine bottle with non-toxic paint and fill with olive oil. Top with an oil pour spout that can be found at a gourmet cooking shop.
Videotape and interview your elderly parents about childhood memories, how they met, etc., and give to siblings or children.
Compile a list of memories and arrange them in a creative fashion.
Do something exciting and challenging together (e.g., long walk, bike ride, hike, art course).
Knit a stocking, hat, socks, etc.
Write and illustrate a book for the young people in your life.
Collect meaningful photos for the gift recipient, make colour photocopies and create a collage.
Create a menu of various culinary delights (e.g., Tantalizing Thai, Mexican Fiesta, etc.) and have the gift recipient choose one of the options.
Create coupons for a massage, spring cleaning, child-minding, manicure, etc.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buy Nothing Christmas
To help you celebrate your Buy Nothing Christmas.
Many of the following ideas were borrowed from Bill McKibben's Hundred Dollar Holiday and from the Center for a New American Dream. You are welcome to give us your gift ideas.
For your husband: Go to your favourite market, second hand shop or boot sale and get a nice frame. With your most creative writing, write your wedding vows. ? Maud Ray
I usually make fudge (it helps to find a really good recipe) and put it in tins. I also buy old frames for cards, etc., I think the person would enjoy. I don't buy for anyone that is not either my child or parents/inlaws. And other than for the kids, I refuse to pay a lot. The cheaper it is the more personal it is sometimes.? Shelley, Prince Edward Island, Canada
For me, environment and peace issues are interrelated, inseparable even. Some gift purchases help the environment and peace: Give people CFL bulbs to save energy. Give Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate made in people-friendly and earth-friendly ways. Buy recycled paper for people. If possible pay someone to buy clean electricity which is still more expensive than dirty electricity. And one of our special concerns: Purchase a Peace Bond from the Nonviolent Peaceforce which even now has peace teams in Sri Lanka. "Upon Maturity the Bearer will See a Large International Team Trained for Nonviolent Conflict Intervention Around the World". Go to NonviolentPeaceforce.org to learn more. Keep up the good work. ? A. Palmer, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Perhaps an alternative to department stores is Ten Thousand Villages which provides vital, fair income to Third World artisans by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. This alternative emphasizes the fair distribution of wealth while still in a consumerism context. ? Shalom, Carl
Make a sweater from yarn found at goodwill/used clothing store.? Kristina Giggz
Look through your (and your kids') old clothes, cut out squares of fabrics they will remember, and make a little wall hanging or pillow or stuffed toy or whatever. Pick a nice quote or scripture verse and write it up in calligraphy or a nice handwriting. ? Gwenyth
When i was little my parents always recorded a tape of me singing christmas caroles and/or reading stories for my grandparents and other family that lived far away. When i got older i started to make little comics for my friends, that were about us and things we had done. always with an added twist and some inside humour. This is totally fun to do- even if you're drawings are crappy. i think that this year i will write stories for my friends and family telling them why i love them! ? T.B.
Make pillows or stuffed animals. Cut out soft pieces of felt and hot glue them on to the pillow to personalize them with messages or make cute faces. ? Kaitlin
Give something you don't use any more. A sweater that you only wore once; a set of drinking glasses you forgot you owned. Clean them up and give them as gifts. I have found all sorts of things in my apartment that I have no need for, but know someone who would appreciate and enjoy it! ? Jessica
When someone asks what I want for Christmas I tell them, "Peace on Earth. Goodwill for all". If they explore the idea further (usually with, "No, really. What do you want?") I tell them to pick a charity and give to them whatever they would have spent on me. It makes me feel good that someone who really needs it is getting something. And ... It always fits! ? Bill Budenholzer
Babysitting coupons for the new parents. Grow your own veggies, can or freeze them and give them away at Christmas/Solstice. Spend more time with your family and friends...when you're dead you won't be able to. Decide as a family to work less hours, spend less and have more time together. Shovel the sidewalk for your neighbour. Plant trees. ? Lee
Make a small drawing of your select person's living room or other room in their house and give it to them.
? Julian van Mossel-Forrester
I have been giving more gifts that consist of certificates of gift from the Heifer Project. This year the only exception is my 9 year old granddaughter. ? Paul Shankland
I am making several batches of biscuits ("cookies" your side of the pond!) and boxes from some lovely dark red recycled card. ? Alice Crawford
Plant plants, now, to give for Christmas. Herbs, in particular. This is one way to always be present in your loved one's days for a while to come. ? jeela
Buy a used book and in the inside cover explain why you chose the book for that person.
Make tree ornaments out of old CDs.
Purchase gifts at a fair-trade shop, garage sale or thrift shop.
Make hand-made soap or candles.
If you are skilled in a particular area, offer a lesson or class.
Make a birdseed ball.
Make a soothing, herb pillow filled with lavender, rose, etc.
Collect quotes that make you think of someone.
Stamp and address postcards for family members.
For the elderly people in your life, research newspaper and magazine articles from their youth and present in a creative fashion.
Make a calendar with pictures of family members and/or scenery.
Wrap gifts in newspaper, maps, scarves or interesting clothing.
Fill an old trunk or suitcase with fun clothing, hats and gaudy jewelry for your children to play dress-up.
Make a puppet from a sock.
Give away a valued possession.
Make a mixed cassette tape and choose songs that make you think of that person. Under each title, explain why you chose that song.
Frame a piece of your artwork.
Fill a basket with home-made goodies.
Bake your favourite holiday treat and pack in a recycled tin.
Paint an empty wine bottle with non-toxic paint and fill with olive oil. Top with an oil pour spout that can be found at a gourmet cooking shop.
Videotape and interview your elderly parents about childhood memories, how they met, etc., and give to siblings or children.
Compile a list of memories and arrange them in a creative fashion.
Do something exciting and challenging together (e.g., long walk, bike ride, hike, art course).
Knit a stocking, hat, socks, etc.
Write and illustrate a book for the young people in your life.
Collect meaningful photos for the gift recipient, make colour photocopies and create a collage.
Create a menu of various culinary delights (e.g., Tantalizing Thai, Mexican Fiesta, etc.) and have the gift recipient choose one of the options.
Create coupons for a massage, spring cleaning, child-minding, manicure, etc.
