You know that college student who’s really hard to shop for because they rant about consumerism through most of December? As the token hippie in my family who hates frivolous gifts, I’m here to tell you how to shop for that person! I won’t lie, this is essentially my wish list this holiday season (beefed up with items my friends have requested, and things I think are cool), and it probably applies to many a college student or sustainable derelict this year.
(pictured above, L to R)
Tiffin box: my friend has one of these food storage systems and I’m endlessly jealous.
Bamboo Bites: bamboo utensils and a cute little carrier! No more stabbing myself with stray forks at the bottom of my backpack.
Filter in a Bottle: For your geeks who love water, take this everywhere and drink tap water with pride.
(pictured above, L to R)
Thermos: even Fair Trade coffee just isn’t as good when it’s lukewarm.
Panniers: for all that schlepping to the farmers market, the peace rally, classes and back.
Over the Shoulder: more ways to lug your stuff across town on your bike!
(above L to R)
Ponoko: a membership at Ponoku means you can design something and have it made. Perfect for the DIY project you could never quite make happen.
Preserving Set: I’ve always wanted to make jam and jelly, but I’ve also always had a deep seeded hate for botulism.
Bamboo Bike: (above) If I lived in NYC, I would LOVE this.
Run Hippie Run: (above) New Balance’s shoe is partly made of recycled materials.
Seeds Galore: (above L) One for every month!
Kill-A-Watt: (above R) I’m getting this for my parents to try to shock them into turning the TV off before they go to bed.
Happy Fish: (above) Hopefully you throw the fish back after they fall for these green lures.
iSun: (at right) Power your iPhone with this photovoltaic skin. Talk is cheap, sunshine is free!
(Tip: some of your friends might ask you to give to a charity this season. Be sure to check out the charity with http://www.charitynavigator.org/ to ascertain most of the money is going to actual work, rather than overhead and salaries.)
Sustainable Harvest: a donation here helps a Central American family with training and tools to overcome poverty through farming.
Voces y Manos: (photo above) A donation to this charity promotes medicine and health awareness in Guatamala, (bonus points because the organization was started by an alumni of my university)!
RSS
The iPhone sun charger is definitely going on my myregistry.com wishlist! I really like the water bottle with a built in filter too. Question though: what do you use the food storage system for (and don’t just say to store food!)?
The Tiffin is a 3-tiered food tote – great for fruit, salad, dessert — you can either use just one part on its own, or all three parts stacked atop each other. Some say it’s perfect for picnics.
You know when all you have is a hodgepodge of leftovers, and you want to bring them for lunch but it would be gross to throw them all in the same container? In swoops the Tiffin box!
Or when you want to have fruit and granola, but if you mix them before you go to work/school by the time you eat it it’s totally soggy.
Or when you don’t want a ton of one item, just a little of a few.
I always thought I didn’t need one, and that my tupperware collection was sufficient, but after trying to stuff three or four plastic tubs into my backpack I have seen the light.
If you are looking for an affordable, quality made “dutch style” commuter bike you should check out http://www.bowerylanebicycles.com
They are made by hand in american, out of american steel using solar power and they only cost $595.
Now that I’m old and wise, I’ve pretty well given up on the idea of Christmas except for my very close family. When I stopped sending cards, I stopped receiving them and when I stopped giving presents to all and sundry, they also stopped giving me useless things to put on a shelf. I’m sure the planet is grateful!