by Vesanto Melina

Would you like to have a positive impact with your gift giving this holiday season? Do you shy away from Christmas commercialism, yet wonder what to offer those you love? Consider these gifts that keep on giving and that have far-reaching benefits:
· Items that help people enjoy the great outdoors: skis, tennis rackets, bikes, snowshoes, boots, a compass and whistle for hikers.
· Sets of sports equipment for a couple or a family. If you’re flush with cash, buy high-end items, otherwise head for your local sporting goods recycling store.
· A family cross-country season pass. For example, a pass to Cypress Mountain includes unlimited snowshoeing and tubing, provides regular, fun exercise, and is cheaper than a one-time family ski holiday.
· Clothing and footwear that your loved ones can use to be outdoors and appreciate nature.
· For someone who cycles in all seasons, Gortex socks available at Mountain Equipment Co-op and other sporting goods stores.
· A really good rain hat.
· For potential travelers, stocking items and fascinating books on various destinations. (Check out The Travel Bug and the travel section of bookstores.)
· Monthly bus passes to help your loved ones use transit systems.
· For a wheelchair-bound friend or relation, HandiDart tickets (www.independent-living.ca/HandiDart.asp)
· For an elderly person, an invitation, redeemable on request, for a trip to the park or out for a cup of tea.
· Assistance in getting a Christmas tree or decorating their home for the holidays, for an elderly person.
· Baking together.
· For a preschooler, glue, coloured paper, pipe cleaners, and whatever else you can think of, assembled in a do-it-yourself arts and crafts kit. Check out Ruby’s Dog on Main Street for materials.
· Membership in EarthSave (www.earthsave.bc.ca), Amnesty International (www.amnesty.ca), Western Canada Wilderness Committee (www.wildernesscommittee.org), Suzuki Foundation (www.davidsuzuki.org), the Burns Bog Society (www.burnsbog.org) or another worthy organization.
· Tickets to an inspirational concert or local seminar.
· One or more nights and days at a beautiful B&B listed in Common Ground from time to time.
· A gift certificate for a healing consultation or a massage. Read CG for leads.
· A CD, tape or video.
· A book that helps to create inner peace.
· A video by a local filmmaker or video producer.
· Coupons you create yourself, that offer house cleaning, babysitting, or a foot massage.
· Dog-walking services. (Children, teens, or adults can offer this gift.)
· Organic nuts, seeds and dried fruit, nicely packaged.
· New, healthful grocery and personal care items. (Have fun wandering around the natural foods store and prepare your own gift basket.)
· A gift of organic produce, delivered for a few weeks (by one of Vancouver’s many services, or by Ladybug Organics in the Fraser Valley.)
· Stevia powder or drops, the herbal sweetener that won’t disturb blood sugar levels.
· An aromatic gift basket from Saje or similar.
· A subscription to Adbusters magazine (www.adbusters.org)
· Common Ground magazine mailed each month (to someone far away, who misses BC.)
· A sampling of veggie burgers, so people can discover their favourite brands. (This is a possible gift for someone with heart disease or another chronic illness, who is trying to change eating habits.)
· A gift certificate for a local vegetarian restaurant (for ideas in Vancouver, Victoria and other locations, see www.vegdining.com)
· For those with food sensitivities, the new Food Allergy Survival Guide. Perhaps choose a recipe and prepare a delicious baked item free of gluten, dairy, or their specific allergen.
· Respect your own values by, for example, avoiding items made of animal products, products tested on animals, or items from countries whose politics you don’t want to support. (This may shorten your gift list!)
· For people who don’t really want gifts, find out if they would appreciate a donation to a favourite charity.
· Ask your friend or relation what she or he would like, that will help to create a better world.
· Buy as little as possible for Christmas; make gifts or baked goods; send letters and love.
· Spend time with people (instead of giving things.)
· Invite friends or neighbours for a potluck dinner at which you discuss great ideas, new dreams and share how to transform your smaller or larger community from the religion of consumption to the vision of sustainability.

Vesanto Melina is a regular columnist with Common Ground. Her website is www.nutrispeak.com