Hanukah Handout: Green Gifts

Help cut down on waste and try some of these environmentally friendly gift ideas this Hanukkah:

1. Save paper and send an e-card. You can design it yourself! There are dozens of on-line sites to do this. You could also make your own card with recycled paper if you're feeling artistic! To create an e-card, visit one of the following Web sites:

   www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/chanukah/ecard.html

   www.e-cards.com/catalog/cat-selection.pl?cat=Hanukkah

   www.newdream.org/greeting/servlet/cardCreation

2. Make your own gifts! Especially from children, homemade gifts are often more special than anything you can buy. Take a photo and design a frame for it, knit a scarf for the winter, or make a set of beeswax candles for someone to burn in their Hanukiah. In your crafts, you can use empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls, plastic bottles, etc. There are lots of great books about homemade gifts in your library; check one out today!
3. Give Hanukkah gelt in the form of tzedakah to a Jewish or environmental organization of your choice in honor of a friend or relative. "Adopt" an animal, plant a tree or buy an acre of rain forest in someone's honor.
4. Food! Edible gifts are always great for holidays. Bake someone a batch of cookies in Hanukkah shapes, cook soofganiot (jelly doughnuts- a traditional Hanukkah treat), or be more creative.
5. Get something that's both useful and reusable: a travel mug, cloth bag, linen napkins, reusable lunchbox, etc.
6. Make your own gift certificate or coupon. You could give someone "a night at the movies," "one week of walking the dog," etc. This is a great way to give somebody exactly what they want!
7. Buy someone an environmental book, subscription to an environmental magazine or a membership to a museum or zoo- a gift they can enjoy all year.
8. Instead of regular gift-wrap, use recycled or reusable packaging or a piece of cloth tied with ribbon.

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