grrlTravels

the gift that keeps on giving is GREEN

dear commentors,
I agree. Some of the greenest gifts are the handmade ones, and any consideration of a green holiday season should include handmade gifts.

Why? You can make the gifts using natural or recycled materials. You aren't supporting big business. [Many of those larger businesses don't have the best track record when it comes to the environment, do they?] Not to mention the packaging. How I hate the plastic on top of plastic on top of plastic.

Inspiration for Handmade Gifts

• The Sew, Mama, Sew blog has 30 days of gifts to sew in November, and I've seen lots of stuff I'd love to get as a gift


• If you have an idea of what you'd like to make, try Craftster.org, GetCrafty.com, or HGTV.com for inspiration and how-tos


• Need a tutorial? Try my half of the brain


• Want something a little more technical? Try instructables, Make magazine, ReadyMade magazine, or Craft magazine


• Get the kids going too: Christmas gifts to make on FamilyFun.com, hipper stuff for older kids on D.I.Y. Kids, scrumdilly-do, Kids Crafts on DIY Network, kids craft weekly, arts & crafts for kids on AmazingMoms.com, check the archives of kiddley


• I've been enjoying the following sewing books, all of which have easy projects suitable for beginners: Amy Butler's In Stitches, Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing, Bend-the-Rules Sewing, Simple Sewing with a French Twist, Doodle-Stitching, Pretty Little Pincushions [I don't have it yet, but I want it] (listed in no particular order)

For myself, I am planning to make at least one item for everyone on my list. I can't promise that there won't be some gifts encased in plastic because I'm pretty sure both E. and Z. will get some. But at least one made-by-hand gift per recipient. I hope. And if you aren't going to have the time to craft yourself, consider buying handmade. We'll have some ideas for that coming up.