Feel Good Gift Guide

Hey, did you know that it is November 22nd and not November 15th? You did!  Well, you are waaaaay ahead of me. I had no idea. Yes, yes I’ve looked at a calendar lately, but it just wasn’t registering. I’m in denial. It’s November 15th and I don’t have 18 people coming to dinner for Christmas. Pray for me, I’m a full week behind, when hours count.

As you know, before you had kids, you could leisurely do your holiday shopping. You were unencumbered … Christ, you probably read the paper and went out for brunch before you strolled through the streets, or braved the mall just to get ideas. Each gift was thoughtfully selected for style and beauty, humour or nostalgia. You took great pains to get the perfect do-da for Great Aunt Bea. Yeah? Well not any more. I can only speak for myself, of course, but If I manage to get out of the house without my children in tow that will be this year’s Christmas miracle.

So what’s a girl to do? I’ll tell you. You shop on line at 12:30 am whilst sipping baileys on ice, listening to Elvis’s Christmas album and you do it in your pjs with your feet up. That’s what you do.

And, here’s my little gift to you – one site, one session, one payment, free shipping for all orders over $75.00 and for our lovely SPC readers, if you shop before December 5th, you can use the code “sweetdeal” for an additional 10% off. And, you can remain the thoughtful niece, cousin, sister, best friend, wife, daughter and mother who always finds that perfect something.

www.ethicalocean.com

I am pretty enthusiastic about ethicalocean.com because in addition to obsessively worrying about what I’m feeding my family, I’m also obsessed with taking care of our planet – and so are they. I’m not going to suggest you not to shop or to sacrifice quality or design in favour for greener living. I say, go nuts – but do so knowing the products you purchase are environmentally and ethically sound. Not only does this site boast a generous selection, ( Beauty and  Health, Fashion, Kids and Babies, Home and Garden, Food and Drink, Electronics and Everything Else) they’ve done the research for you and selected beautifully designed products that are good for the planet and good for people. In fact, many of our featured Sweet Stuff items from posts gone by are available through ethicalocean.com

Here are my top picks for Christmas 2011~

For Maude, 5

Whimsy Lunch Kit Magenta Koru ($45)

Whimsy Snak Pak – Includes: one recycled cotton sack, one cloth napkin, two 5oz stainless containers, one food kozyTM and one recycled aluminum nametag. Why it matters: Good for the Earth: This product reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfill

Hip To Be Square Looper Loom ($38.50)

This is an old idea taken up a notch. Reminiscent of the little looms you used as a child, the Hip to Be Square Looper Loom is a 9″ wooden loom made locally from recycled wood. It comes with a metal hook to pull the loops through, and a size K crochet hook to finish the edges with. It also comes with enough loopers to make 8 large and thick potholders. Directions with photos included.

Why it matters: Good for the Earth. This product is made with recycled materials. Recycling still useful material reduces the amount of material going to landfill and conserves virgin resources.

For Ford, nearly 2

Reusable Sandwich and snack bag Acorn Eco Boutique ( $15.00)

Why it matters: Good for the Earth

This product reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfill.

Good for people: Products made in Canada are typically manufactured under the most stringent environmental, animal cruelty and labor laws, while reducing the shipping carbon footprint and supporting the Canadian economy.

Good for animals:This product is 100% vegan. It contains no animal products and is not tested on animals.

Natural Rubber Duck ($9.99 )

Make a big splash with this all-natural latex rubber duck. That’s right–it actually is made from natural rubber, sustainably-harvested by tapping the milk of Hevea brasiliensis, the common rubber tree. No herbicides are used in these operations.

Why it matters – Good for people:

This product is non-toxic and contains no harmful ingredients. Sweatshop free products are manufactured in a safe working environment, offering reasonable work hours and sick leave, for a fair living wage.

For Andrew – Round Maple Salad Bowl – Stinson Studios ($150.00)

I wrecked our beautiful salad bowl and I’m still in the dog house. I hope this will make up for it.

Why it matters. Good for the Earth: This product is made from salvaged materials that were diverted from landfill, and were then used without reprocessing.

Good for people: Products made in Canada are typically manufactured under the most stringent environmental, animal cruelty and labor laws, while reducing the shipping carbon footprint and supporting the Canadian economy.

And, I’m going to wrap it all in snow flakey wrapping paper, which is 100% recycled and printed with soy based inks courtesy of ethicalocean.com

The only difficult thing will be to stop from picking up a few little treasures for yourself along the way.  But hey, you deserve a treat too… what with all that holiday shopping stress.