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Christmas... what's on your list?
My parents are bugging me for a Christmas list. I tried saying "No gifts" or "Just donate" but that really doesn't fly with my Mom. She'll donate, but she'll also load me up with gifts. It's what she does. 
So what's something practical I could ask for? There's really nothing I need (my dog is already "asking" for PetCo gift cards for his food) and I really don't have a lot of space for random stuff. I want something I can REALLY use. I will be getting 1-2 gift cards, I get them every year, and it's a general rule that we don't ask for them so I can't just load myself up on those. And the only thing I could think of so far is the Ball Canning Book.
So what "green" things are you asking for? Anything really cool and outside of the box on your list this year?
Re: Christmas... what's on your list?
I asked for a cast iron skillet last year and I LOVE IT! I make a fritatta nearly once a week, so easy and good!
If you truly don't want anything, can you ask for things that you could donate, like sheets, blankets, beauty products etc. that you could give to a women's shelter.
Fortunately, our families have been good the last few years about donating instead of getting me gifts. But if I had to give a list, I'd add:
state park gift card to go camping - not green per se but at least it's not disposable stuff.
A tree, shrub, flowers, etc.
Rain barrel or compost bin
More glass pyrex storage containers
recycled flip flop door mat
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
I love this idea. For the past few years, we've been donating to various organizations in our family member's names. Last year, we gave micro-loans to two women in Mongolia, and we hope to add money to these loans and/or donate it to the organization itself this year. DH got really into this idea last year as he's a small business owner himself.
I don't know how close you live to your parents, but could you ask them for acts of kindness (ie. babysitting, puppy watching)? Or to expand upon the giftcards-maybe tell them you'd love a date with your H-maybe dinner or a couples massage package, all from local venues??
Maybe your mom will skip the gifts if you explain the packing problem.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
Wow, busy Christmas! Will your mom skip the gifts if you explain the packing problem?
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
Mother Earth News subscription (I still really enjoy print magazines)
Fair trade coffee and chocolate
Bird feeder
Last year I got "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day" (book), and it's great.
I have a few ideas for you:
1. lenses, lights, or software for your business
2. luggage since you travel a lot
3. River Cottage Preserves Handbook has a lot of unique recipes like this picalilli (http://creatingnirvanatoday.blogspot.com/2010/10/canning-picalilli.html)
4. cloth napkins
5. shampoo, soap and other things that you consume
6. CSA membership
How about a membership to a zoo, museum, etc that you enjoy?
Kitchenaid mixer (or money to put towards it)
Cider press attachment
Food mill attachment
National Geographic subscription (to make it green we pass my subscription around to a bunch of different people)
Thats all I got. I need to come up with some more stuff.
If you truly don't want anything, can you ask for things that you could donate, like sheets, blankets, beauty products etc. that you could give to a women's shelter.
I think this is kind of rude, unless you tell your mother that you are just going to donate whatever she gives you.
Why is it rude?
It's equally rude to insist on giving someone something they have no use for and don't want. The receiver can do whatever they want with a gift they have received.
My parents have already given us part of our gift. A huge compost tumbler! They knew that we had just been throwing food scraps in a corner behind our garage (and buried it with grass clippings!) so they asked if we wanted it early. Now I just gotta figure out what to put in it to get it all started!
Other things on my list are:
a rolling pin. I've been using a jar to roll out noodles, pie crusts, and pizza dough. haha.
cast iron skillet
stainless steel measuring spoons
a steamer basket
pretty much all cooking related items. If I don't get them, no biggie!
I agree but I like the idea anyway. Maybe you and your mother could go donate something together at Christmas.
I think a membership to the zoo or a museum would be good. I also like the idea of passes to a national park and/or hotel stay while you're there.
I would personally love one of those kid etc. carriers for bicycles. She could just have your gift shipped to your house and wrap up a picture of it.
How about some organic cotton tees from Fair Indigo?
organic+fair trade+ easy to pack