USustain  presents greener holiday solutions

Buy green

Here is a link to an eco-friendly gift site:  Ecofabulous.com

Also, here are some cool ideas for green gifts and shopping options, healthy living, fair trade, organic products, helping the world, and more: www.Gaiam.com

Hold the wrapping paper

Did you know that most wrapping paper has a film on it that isn’t recyclable? Skip the wrapping paper -- and be creative. Or, if you must wrap, here is a suggestion from Prof. Jeff Corbin: Fish Lips Paper Designs sells recycled and *recyclable* wrapping paper. (And, it's cute!)

OR use festive cloth bags tied with ribbons! Click here for more details.

 pine

 Skip the tree

Decorate a house plant instead!

House plants last longer, improve air quality in our homes and have no needles for you to vacuum up. The tropical foliage plant pictured here, Norfolk Pine, is a lovely, live alternative to the traditional holiday tree. Also, please keep in mind that LED lights use MUCH less energy than the traditional lights. They’re available at all the usual retailers, plus online.

  malawi 
  Malawi children. (Photo courtesy of Minerva Fellow David Shulman)

Help bring joy to the world

Here is a radical idea -- skip gifts altogether. Donate your gift money to our Minerva Fellows, who are working in places like Uganda and Malawi. (E-mail Prof. Anastasia Pease at peasea[at]union.edu or Megan Sesil sesilm[at]union.edu  for more information).

or

Volunteer to provide gifts and/or food to poor children right here in Schenectady; contact Kathy McCannmccannk[at]union.edu for details.

or

Donate to a world charity, such as the non-denominational
Oxfam International, an organization that fights poverty and injustice, or
Heifer International, a group that helps the world's poorest individuals purchase domestic animals to help feed their children. 

The world is, after all, our extended family. What a way to share the true joy of this beautiful season.

HAPPY  HOLIDAYS TO ALL!