AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION…

By Liberty Goodwin, Director

Toxics Information Project (TIP)

HEALTHY HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

THIS MONTH, OOP OFFERS SOME SAMPLE GIFT IDEAS FROM THE NEW HEALTHY HOLIDAYS HANDBOOK, COMING IN EARLY NOVEMBER FROM TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT (TIP). IT WILL BE FOUND AT LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, HOLIDAY AND CHURCH FAIRS & MORE, AND WILL INCLUDE DETAILED SUGGESTIONS FOR HEALTHIER GIFT-GIVING AND ENTERTAINING. CALL 401-351-9193 OR E-MAIL: TIP@TOXICSINFO.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION & WHERE TO PICK IT UP.

GENERAL GIFT-GIVING STRATEGY

People are besieged with piles of THINGS at holidays, and many homes become junk heaps of seldom-used items. Better gifts are action gifts, service gifts, practical gifts, attractive gifts that don’t take much space. Better gifts are fitted to the life-style and needs of the giftee, environmentally friendly, and helping them toward a healthier modus vivendi. Some concern is appropriate, too, for the reduction in sheer trash from wrapping paper and boxes used for a brief moment of glory. And good gifts can be inexpensive too!

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SOME GOOD GIFT IDEAS

1. Think of giving a non-material gift, such as a weekend at a country inn, a boat ride or a theatre ticket. You can give a membership in an organization or donation to a cause in which the giftee is interested. How about some time at a gym, a bowling alley, a course at a local college or a dance class? Another often-appreciated gift is a restaurant or event discount book. All these are environmentally friendly – no piles of wrapping or stuff to clutter the house!

2. Think of giving services that you can either do for them yourself or pay someone else to do. – we have several times given in-laws an evening of babysitting as a gift. One of our sons greatly enjoyed a neck massage we purchased for him while visiting Newport. Choose services your giftee can really use. If you are very dedicated, you could go in and give a thorough house cleaning (using natural cleaners)!

3. Think of books or magazine subscriptions, which can educate on health or environmental concerns, be entertaining or informative on subjects of interest. Think humor - we have found that funny publications please almost any gift recipient - and hearty laughs are healthy!

5. Think of room-freshening house plants like those described in the book, “How to Grow Fresh Air” (available through TIP). Think chlorine & chemical-removing faucet or shower filters, electronic air cleaners, maybe a Sani-Mate air-freshening plug-in for the bathroom.

6. Think of gifts of healthy housewares, such as Corning Ware, glass and ceramic casseroles, stainless steel or cast iron cookware.

4. Still puzzled about what to get? God bless gift certificates! These can be very appropriate and healthy, from mostly non-toxic and natural type retailers. Besides local sources, there are many catalogues and online stores selling natural products, who’ll provide a certificate. They’ll also do the wrapping and shipping for you. A better selection of less-toxic gifts is available thus, and it saves you hours of tromping through stores and crowds. Also, your loved one gets to choose a gift they really like!

WHAT TO AVOID?

DON’T BUY: Any gift that will pollute the environment or expose the recipient to unhealthy chemicals. Examples:

**Fragranced items – such as cosmetics, candles and “air fresheners” (these are called “indoor air pollutants” by EPA & can also trigger an asthma attack).

**Toxic art materials, petroleum-based permanent markers.

**Teflon-coated cookware, the fumes from which when overheated are toxic enough to kill birds.

**Plastic items, especially toys, with the recycling numbers 3, 6 or 7 in the little triangle on the bottom. These contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (phthalates & bisphenol-A.)

DON’T BUY: Gifts that will give a one-time pleased reaction then never get used or played with more than once or twice.

DON’T BUY: Gifts that will encourage unhealthy habits, like sitting all day in front of the TV or computer playing games.

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Liberty Goodwin is Director of the Providence-based Toxics Information Project (TIP). Contact her at: 401-351-9193 or liberty@toxicsinfo.org to submit a query or a TIP about healthier household choices. Visit TIP’s website: www.toxicsinfo.org for a wealth of info on keeping healthy in a toxic world. © 2008 Liberty Goodwin

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