Wednesday, everyone was busy with pre Thanksgiving – especially the stores and their ads! Thursday was turkey day – and some stores opened up in the eve if not before….Friday, can you standing seeing the words Black Friday one more time? Saturday was a breath of fresh breeze, it was Small Business Saturday - sponsored by American Express. It was still shopping and “consumerism” but this time is helped your local merchant, or favorite small store or small vendor, which is nice. {A special thanks goes out to Nancy for her support of her local friend and business on Saturday.}  We had a suggestion of Virtual Sunday at our family gathering thanks to Dave! It would be to support your small virtual friend/artist/craftsperson/vendor on their on-line sales (Thanks Dave, gotta love it when your hubby comes up such a great idea for the BBB’s!) Today is Cyber Monday – more shopping and spending possibilities. All that and it is only Nov 28th! Lots of shopping days are still out there for all to gobble up and have some merry fa la las. However, I do feel the need to remind you. Please buy useful gifts! Some may even get used up/eaten up and that’s ok. Below I have listed some Green Gift Guides and ideas that have passed thru my email and thoughts this holiday season. They all let you cyber shop if that is your thing,  all are “green.”

As our friends at inhabitat so well said in a Nov 25th email…http://inhabitat.com/greenholidaygiftguide/

And my list for you…. Click the blue links to get to these sites…

• http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/ –  Great folks, lovely products!
• http://www.earthbox.com/ – looking forward to trying this out next spring!
• The Green Gift Guide. “Mission:To simplify special occasions by taking the stress and commercialism out of choosing and giving gifts.”  She has all sorts of great ideas!
• The gift of your time! Home-Spun Gift Certificates pampering or practical and work for any budget.
• http://www.goatmilkskincare.com called NNS- met her in Nova Scotia this fall, been using her products since them and LOVE them!
• wholefoodsmarket.com  - Tons of holidays and giving ideas.
• NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) =More than 50 great gift ideas from NRDC all aimed at saving the environment. (Donations/ gifts on-line.)
• WWF (World Wildlife Federation) “From the Amazon to the Arctic, WWF is building a future where human needs are met in harmony with nature.” (Donations/gifts on-line.)
• Support NPCA (National Parks Conservation Association) while Shopping Online for Cyber Monday Deals! (…and every day) ….Friendly reminder to help generate donations for NPCA by signing up for iGive (a free service that automatically donates a percentage of your online shopping purchase with partner stores to NPCA at no extra cost to you). Visit www.igive.com/NPCA to get started. Sign up now, and generate a $5 gift for NPCA when you download the iGive button for your browser. (No store on site, but you could give a membership, or just help them out…..)
•  Defenders of Wildlife.  ”Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is one of the country’s leaders in science-based, results-oriented wildlife conservation. We stand out in our commitment to saving imperiled wildlife and championing the Endangered Species Act, the landmark law that protects them.” No store here either, but you could give a membership, or just help them out…..
•  ♥ ♥ ♥  BUY eco-friendly items, buy items that folks need, buy items that don’t necessary last forever in a landfill, don’t buy just to buy, buy with your eco heart and mind. The Holidays are not really about the STUFF YOU BUY, they are for celebration friends, people, life and love! ♥ ♥ ♥