Green giving

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Welcome back to our healthy holidays series! Because you are probably making your list and checking it twice, this week’s dose gives easy tips for greener gifting this season.

During this hectic time of consumption, there are numerous ways we can buy in a more mindful manner while also benefiting the planet. Here are a few of my must-have green giving ideas in no particular order:

» Reuseable wrapping: Wrap your gift in a leftover box you received from an online order, when purchasing a new pair of shoes (as shown in photo), or from a gift. Turn a brown shopping bag inside out to cover the box. Add a dash of flair with something you have on hand such as a sprig of white pine from your tree, ribbons you saved from another gift or tag made out of the front of holiday cards you’ve received. Save all bags, tissue paper and ribbon you receive on gifts for next year’s giving pleasure.

» Give gifts that increase your karma points: Visit womenforwomeninternational.org to support women in war-torn regions with aid, training and education. Visit tenthousandvillages.org to give a fairly traded artisan gift from Africa, Asia or Latin America. Shop at heifer.org to provide gifts of livestock and plants to families in need worldwide. At arbordayfoundation.org, you can plant trees that ultimately help us all breathe better.

» Choose wisely: Look for gifts with little packaging or that come in recyclable packaging; have the Energy Star rating; contain nontoxic or organic ingredients that weren’t tested on animals; are made with eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo or soy; or are fair trade.

Kimberly Wilson is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga and Tranquil Space Foundation. Visit kimberlywilson.com.

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