Would you buy a gift if you knew it was made in a sweatshop, or by slave labour? Or a gift that was made by a company that is squandering resources, polluting the planet and paying for neither? What about a gift that could damage the recipient's health and happiness?

There are plenty of gifts that do all of the above. The good news is that there are better alternatives, for those who look. Gifts that go deeper than the shiny paper wrapping. Gifts that respect our neighbours, near and far. And alternatives to gift-giving that can build friendship, community and well-being.

Here are some thoughts (from planetfriendly.net) on how to save time and money, build friendships, strengthen community, help each other, and have a great time!

Better Ways to Buy

• buy locally, from independent services and stores
• don't always shop for the cheapest price: be willing to pay a little more for something lasting and ethical
• shop in your neighbourhood, if possible within walking distance; bring a cloth bag, backpack, bike bags or other means of comfortably carrying what you buy
• avoid "big box" stores: they encourage excess use of cars; they increase urban sprawl and congestion; they are bad for pedestrians, cyclists, seniors and public transit. Compared to more traditional forms of shopping, they are anti-social and bad for the community. In effect, they transfer hidden costs from the store onto the consumer and the community. The result is products that seem cheaper – but that we all end up paying for in other ways. The good news: there are much better alternatives – and people in smart communities are achieving them: www.sprawl-busters.com www.google.com/search?q=%22big+box%22+sprawl ww.big-box.com

Better Ways to Give

• give gift certificates for local services or local, green, ethical retailers that really add something to your community
• always keep the receipt and make it easy for the recipient to return the gift without embarrassment or hurt pride
• draw names and buy for one family member only
• don't feel obliged to reciprocate when somebody gives you a gift – express your thanks, friendship or love in other ways
• make a gift from discarded or re-used items
• bigger is not better! (find more mature ways to compete, if you must)

Alternatives to Giving Stuff

• give a gift certificate or ticket for a local service, event, outing, film, workshop or course
• write a letter, poem, song or short story
• give a gift certificate for your skills and services (massage, tutoring, cleaning, repairing, baby sitting, whatever).
• pool money for a shared meal, outing or other purchase
• don't focus on gifts: plan games, interview older family members, share personal stories.
• hold a listening circle, talking stick circle, wisdom circle, etc. www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#process
• donate to a local charity
• hold a family volunteering activity
• shop for a family that can't afford gifts; ask them what they need

Find this full article, Green, Healthy & Ethical Gift Ideas at
http://www.planetfriendly.net/gifts.html#intro