great gifts. I have

NRDC: The Great Green Gift-Giving Guide Cities & Green Living : Green Living : In Brief : Guides The Great Green Gift-Giving Guide Tips from environmental professionals for giving easy-on-the-planet presents that go way beyond the basics. We asked NRDC's personal shoppers (actually, they're attorneys, scientists and policy analysts) to tell us the best environmentally friendly gift they've ever given or received. We've packed a shopping cart full of their stories, and added some links to help you track down their green gift suggestions. One of the best and easiest ways to remind your loved ones to get outdoors and enjoy nature is to buy them a national parks pass . It's a great reminder that there's life beyond the desktop. -- KATE WING is an NRDC policy analyst who works to protect marine species and habitat. One of the most useful holiday gifts I've ever received is a subscription to The Green Guide . Each month, The Green Guide provides clear answers to consumers' most immediate and practical questions about personal- and household-environmental issues, such as, "My son has asthma, how can I reduce his exposure to pollution at home and at school?" or, "We're preparing a new bedroom for our baby, can you recommend safe and healthy products for us to consider?" The Green Guide and its website are where Consumer Reports meets Good Housekeeping and Web MD . By doing the research on which products to buy and what practices are best, The Green Guide takes the hard work out of doing right. -- JACK MURRAY is NRDC's director of development. A year-long subscription to National Geographic is a superb gift idea for anyone interested in the natural world. I have spent many hours thumbing through issues collected over the years. The magazine's always-informative articles and spectacular photography celebrate different cultures, ideologies and natural phenomena around the globe. A subscription to National Geographic is a once-a-month adventure to unknown lands. You also get the pleasure of knowing your membership dollars help support important research and exploration projects around the world. -- NIKKI VERHOFF is a writer in NRDC's development department. The best present I ever gave, according to my best friend and the most inspiring environmentalist I know, was an autographed copy of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree , accompanied by a certificate for a tree to be planted in his honor. I wrapped the book with old E magazines (to be environmentally friendly) and included a little thank-you note for his continued support and inspiration. -- ELIZABETH PANELLA is an assistant in NRDC's Northeastern air/energy and environmental justice programs. For the past few years, a popular gift in my family has been to donate an animal to a less fortunate family in another part of the world through Heifer International . The idea is that, on behalf of someone else, you purchase livestock -- anything from a llama to bumblebees -- to help that family become self-reliant. You can even buy "shares" of an animal or an entire "ark," depending on your budget. -- LISA WHITEMAN is a web production associate in NRDC's web department. For a $25 donation, an L.A.-based group called Tree People will plant a tree in honor or memory of someone and send a certificate. For $75 they will plant a grove of five trees. The certificates are very nice and make great gifts. I have done this several times over the years and people respond very favorably. -- GAYLE PETERSEN is the office administrator for NRDC's Los Angeles office. The best gifts I've given and received have been adopted manatees . The Save the Manatee Club in Maitland, Florida, has a bunch of cuddly manatees that people can adopt. You get a photo and a little bio of each one, plus an update on their doings throughout the year. -- ROB WATSON is a senior resource specialist who has led environmental design efforts for NRDC's award-winning offices in New York, Washington, D.C. and Santa Monica. A " night spotting scope " was a wonderful gift for me. I love to go camping and hiking at night, and have managed to sneak an excellent peek at some nocturnal animals through this handy gadget. I got a good look at a fox, several skunks and an elk despite very little moonlight. Another idea: Tilley hats are tough, outdoorsy canvas hats which protect from the elements. I bought one for my father and he loves it. And after much waiting (and hinting), I finally received one for my birthday. I have worn it through wind, rain, sea spray, hail and even volcanic ash, and it has held up perfectly (although it now has some spots to give it character). -- GINA SOLOMON, M.D. , an expert in environmental threats to public health, is a senior scientist at NRDC. Probably the best environmental gift I ever received was not designed to be an "environmental" gift at all. I don't think that I would be where I am today if my parents hadn't decided to send me to Camp Menatoma in Kents Hill, Maine, in the summer of 1969. That summer -- and for seven summers afterward -- I spent up to two months exploring the Maine woods, learning outdoors skills and playing with new friends. But Camp Menatoma taught me more than how to hold a canoe paddle or stand up on water skis. I also learned about the damage being done to the Maine woods by clearcutting, about how plastic six-pack holders could choke our lake's glorious loons and about our role as the earth's protectors. In short, at Menatoma I developed an environmental consciousness that has led me to a career with NRDC today. Going to camp showed me a world that existed beyond our suburban Long Island home, my grandparents' apartment in Brooklyn, and our many urban field trips to Coney Island and Manhattan. It's a gift that I thank my parents for every day. -- RICH KASSEL is a senior attorney at NRDC and an internationally recognized expert on vehicle pollution who is the main architect of NRDC's "Dump Dirty Diesels" campaign. Editor's note: A terrific, related idea is to give a donation in a friend's or relative's name to the Fresh Air Fund , which sends city children on summer vacations in the country. My best present was a pair of lightweight, top-quality binoculars that my husband, Michael, gave me. They've been a joy to have on long treks in mountains, on rivers and in deserts as well as on jaunts closer to home. Although I don't use them only for birding, they have made me a much better birder -- which has made both of us happy, since Michael is a big-time birder! I literally try not to leave home without them. -- JOHANNA WALD is the director of NRDC's land program and a nationally recognized expert on public land management. One year, two of my friends gave my mom a homemade holiday wreath decorated with birdseed, suet and fruit slices to hang in her garden and keep the birds well fed during the winter. After the bird food is gone, what's left of the wreath goes into the compost pile. It's not too hard to find the components to make your own, but you can also always buy a pre-made wreath for birds . -- LISA M. CATAPANO is NRDC's director of online advocacy and prefers watching college basketball to watching birds. A couple of years ago, an NRDC staffer recommended giving those really nice bags that fold up into a small pouch and are very easy to keep in your purse or pocket. To my delight, one of my coworkers was inspired by the idea and bought one for me. They're great -- much stronger than plastic bags, easy on the environment and perfect as stocking stuffers. -- RITA BAROL is NRDC's director of websites and reports. I received unpetroleum lip balm a couple of years ago and now buy it any time I can find it. -- KAREN WAYLAND is NRDC's legislative director. One great gift for homeowners is a bat house from Bat Conservation International . If you have a tall tree or a chimney you can host bats, which will help keep your insect populations down and teach your kids that bats are more friend than foe. "Fishing Hunks" calendar . Fishing has taken a heavy toll on our oceans, and as we try to make better management decisions for the future, communities are looking for ways to change how they relate to the seas. Proceeds from calendar sales go to scholarships for children of Cape Cod fishing families, supporting what I hope will be a new crop of smart, fisheries biologists.-- -- KATE WING Electric scooters are growing in popularity here in New York City. The gasoline-powered versions make a lot of noise, and their tailpipe emissions are completely uncontrolled. But the Zappy electric scooter is silent and creates zero tailpipe emissions. Even taking into account the emissions related to the electricity used to charge the battery, the Zappy is still much cleaner than its internal-combustion counterparts. My wonderful wife gave me one as a wedding present, and I've taken it all over the city on errands and for fun. People are always stopping me to ask questions and tell me how cool the scooter is. At around $400, the Zappy is a little expensive, but from the perspective of an environmental techie like me, it's worth every penny. -- NATHANAEL GREENE is a resource specialist at NRDC working on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Energystar.gov offers terrific information on energy-efficient lighting products , many of which are suitable for holiday gifts. For instance, giving someone an Energy Star-rated torchiere to replace a halogen torchiere is a perfect gift. Not only will it save your friends and loved ones money by reducing their energy bills, it may well save their lives (halogen lamps are notorious fire-starters). -- RALPH CAVANAGH is a senior attorney and co-director of NRDC's energy program. Holiday cards from Native Energy help spread the word about global warming and keep carbon dioxide out of the air at the same time. The cards come in four themes and represent carbon reductions for projects such as wind turbines on Native American lands or a renewable methane generator on a family dairy farm. By purchasing the $12 card, you'll keep a ton of carbon dioxide out of the air; with the $60 card, you can boost that number to 6 tons. Order online or call (800) 924-6826. -- ANTONIA HERZOG is a legislative advocate in NRDC's climate center. As a somewhat gadget-obsessed resident of sunny California, I'm hoping one of the environmentally minded gift-givers I know surprises me this year with the iSun Solar Charger . It's small enough to fit on a windowsill, and can charge cell phones, MP3 players and -- with a special attachment -- batteries. -- LISA BEEBE is a freelance web page producer with NRDC's web department. I give rechargeable batteries and rechargers to friends and family members, especially those with kids. Kids' toys create a lot of demand for batteries, so it's greener (and cheaper!) if parents don't have to deal with so many disposable batteries and the troubling chemicals, like mercury and cadmium, that they contain. -- ALLEN HERSHKOWITZ , an internationally recognized expert in recycling and solid waste management, is a senior scientist at NRDC. My wife has given me a flashlight and a radio from Freeplay , and they're great. Both are powered by cranking handles attached to the casings. (Some Freeplay products can also operate on a second source of power, either a solar panel or a rechargeable battery.) They ALWAYS work, and there are no batteries to dispose of. Plus, with the transparent housing, you can see how the really cool spring mechanism works so it's educational, too. -- BARRY NELSON , an expert in California water issues, is a senior policy analyst at NRDC. Give all the drivers on your list a tire inflation gauge so they can check their cars' tire pressure. Properly inflated tires save fuel, reduce pollution and don't wear out as quickly. Underinflation of only five pounds per square inch can reduce a performance tire's tread life by 25 percent! Being small and inexpensive, tire gauges also make great stocking-stuffers. -- JEFF FIEDLER is a policy specialist with NRDC's climate center. One of the best gifts I have given -- to the family that has everything (and more): the excellent little book by Alan Durning, How Much Is Enough? The Consumer Society and the Future of the Earth. Without being too preachy, it explores whether increasing consumption is related to greater happiness. -- ERIC A. GOLDSTEIN is a senior attorney and co-director of NRDC's urban program. LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights are quickly becoming a tradition in public spaces across the country and make an energy-smart and safe gift. They save up to 90 percent of the energy used by regular mini holiday lights and last 100 times longer, saving the hassle of having to replace bulbs frequently. And since they don't heat up or break, these lights reduce the risk of fire and help protect children's hands. Look for them alongside standard lights in many stores. -- SARAH JAFFE is a science fellow in NRDC's energy program. book recommendations , many of which also make great gifts. -- Diaper service (you know, real cloth diapers -- remember them?) from my parents for my first-born. -- CHUCK CLUSEN is a senior policy analyst and director of NRDC's national parks and Alaska projects and is a nationally recognized expert in public land management. The best "green" gift that I've ever received was a couple of canvas shopping bags so that I'd no longer have to deal with the "paper/plastic" dilemma. Plus, the whopping five-cent reduction in my total shopping bill each time I use one helps towards my retirement. -- DAN GILDOR is a project attorney in NRDC's Los Angeles urban program and focuses on enhancing water quality in California. We once gave an old computer to a very small public interest group that was operating on a shoestring. We thought it was hopelessly obsolete, but they thought it was the greatest thing and were very grateful. Since discarded computers are increasingly an environmental problem, it's useful to know that you can usually find someone who is happy to accept one that is less than state of the art. And all the women in my family have whimsical earrings made from various kinds of recycled materials, ranging from typewriter keys to flattened bits of trash from Vermont roadsides. -- NANCY MARKS is a senior attorney at NRDC who takes on corporate polluters in court. Doesn't it seem silly to just trash out-of-date government-surplus maps? Someone at New England Cartographics asked that very question and came up with the idea of making stationery out of the old topographic maps, a truly inspired recycling idea. The attractive envelopes and letter paper are a joy to send and receive. Even my pen pal of 12 years was impressed. -- CRAIG DYLAN WYATT is a program assistant with NRDC's land program. My work on the pulp and paper manufacturing industry has helped turn me against using paper napkins, and cloth napkins make a great alternative. To create an inexpensive napkin gift package that's fun for kids, purchase cotton bandannas -- say, two per person for a family -- that are colored differently for each family member. Bandannas.com sells all sorts of great novelty patterns -- like rainbows, tie-dye and skull and crossbones (the pattern my five-year-old son picked for himself), as well as the standard paisley. -- JESSICA LANDMAN is an NRDC consultant and a former NRDC senior attorney and senior counsel. I give subscriptions to Organic Gardening magazine to avid gardeners who have not yet switched to organic methods but I'm sure would be keen to do so if they had some information at their fingertips. -- MATTHEW PERRIN is NRDC's development researcher and a community gardener in New York City. How about an organic dried fruit basket ? -- TOM COCHRAN is the director of NRDC's nuclear program and holds the Wade Greene Chair for Nuclear policy at NRDC. As a law student in Vermont, I learned to appreciate organic wines and beer. They took the edge off of those cold Vermont winters -- and they make a great gift! To find organic wine and beer sources online, check out Organic Wine Company , The Organic Wine Press , Organic Grapes into Wine Alliance , Bison Brewing or Otter Creek Brewing . -- DIANA DASCALU directs NRDC's Anacostia River restoration project. I'd like to give all my terribly busy friends in the New York area a weekly delivery of organic food from Urban Organic . The company buys produce, groceries and dairy goods in bulk from organic cooperatives, distributors and individual farmers and drop them off in grocery boxes at your door. The contents vary with each season, and you can ask them to leave out things you don't like. Planet Organics offers a similar service in the San Francisco Bay Area. -- SARAH BRIGHT is the associate editor for the NRDC website. In my work at NRDC I advocate alternatives to environmentally damaging factory farm practices that pollute our air and waterways and threaten public health. By purchasing your holiday ham or turkey directly from cooperatives like Patchwork Family Farms you can support independent family farmers who are trying environmentally sustainable methods of farming pork, chicken and beef. Last Thanksgiving I ate my words when I gave my mother a pasture-raised turkey to cook for dinner -- in case you are wondering, it was delicious! For more on sustainably-raised meat products visit the Eat Well Guide . -- MELANIE SHEPHERDSON is an attorney with NRDC's clean water project. I was about 10 years old when my mother -- a model of antimaterialism before it became fashionable -- decided to call off holiday gift-giving altogether. Instead, members of our family donated the money we would have spent on gifts for each other to our favorite charities . While I may not have been totally thrilled with the concept at that young age, it was a terrific lesson in values I've carried with me ever since. I've even wondered if this family tradition later influenced my choice of careers! -- ELIZABETH FINCH is NRDC's director of gift planning. More Green Gift Ideas and Holiday Resources from NRDC Give organic coffee from Beantrees -- designed with the earth in mind -- to any java-loving pals. Because it's grown without pesticides, organic coffee is healthier for the people who grow it, the regions where it's grown and the people who drink it. And we can vouch for the way it tastes: NRDC uses Beantrees coffee in our offices. (Tip: When ordering, enter the coupon code "freemug" to get a free travel mug.) Give an NRDC gift membership . Members receive a year's subscription to Nature's Voice , our highly readable and photo-filled bulletin, a stunning NRDC screensaver, a handy canvas tote bag and the satisfaction of protecting wilderness and wildlife. Visit NRDC's list of book recommendations to find the perfect books for all the readers on your list. Have a Cool Holiday for 10 ways to fight global warming while enjoying the season; fFor green consumer tips you can use all year, see NRDC's green living links . -- See NRDC's green living links for more green consumer tips. While NRDC strongly encourages efforts to "live lighter on the planet," we are not in the business of endorsing products or services. Our staff suggestions and the links that accompany them are meant only to give you some ideas and help you to make your own green-giving decisions. last revised 11.19.04 Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy | © Natural Resources Defense Council

Gifts : Birthday Gifts

Find Me A Gift UK - unusual, unique gifts. Christmas gifts and Presents. Find Me A Gift - Unique and Unusual Gifts : Birthday Gifts Find Me A Gift is your unusual and unique gift store. We have gifts for all occasions - christmas gifts, birthday gifts and more. We have presents for men, for women, for children, even for corporate and business clients. In fact, whatever your need is we have the perfect gift for it. So, if it's unusual and unique gifts you want, you have come to the right place. We deliver worldwide and across the UK. From anniversary presents to wedding presents, we have them. We can recommend our gifts for her range. or our christmas presents .Alternatively, you can take a look at our selection of aniversary gifts. Find Me A Gift: Unit 7 Dene Valley Business Centre, Brookhampton Lane, Kineton, Warks, CV35 0JD, UK Why should you shop with Find Me A Gift ? Sameday despatch for UK orders placed by 15.30 GMT Mon-Fri (excluding bank holidays) UK delivery guaranteed within 4 working days (next working day also available) Totally secure ordering - we also accept payment by Paypal & Payhound Save loads of money with our customer loyalty scheme New Gifts For You - click images for more information Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Force FX Collectable EP V £89.80 (on sale) Star Wars Mace Windu Lightsaber Force FX Collectable £116.90 ($221.61) Anakin Skywalker Lightsaber Force FX Master Replica £99.90 (on sale) Star Wars Luke Skywalker Lightsaber Force FX Collectable - Green Edition £109.50 ($207.58) Roboraptor Dinosaur Robot £88.60 ($167.96) IFO 3000 - Magnetic Floating Globe £69.90 ($132.51) Darth Vader Figurine - Star Wars Model £49.99 (on sale) Personalised Bottle of Champagne £44.90 ($85.12) Personalised Book of Formula 1 History £39.90 ($75.64) Personalised Book of International Rugby History £39.90 ($75.64) Personalised Book of Wimbledon Tennis History £39.90 ($75.64) Personalised Book of British Open Golf Championship History £39.90 ($75.64) Personalised Book of Horse Racing History £39.90 ($75.64) Obi Wan Kenobi Lightsaber Scaled Replica .45 £29.99 ($56.85) Darth Vader Cookie Jar - Star Wars Cookie Jar £29.90 ($56.68) Clone Trooper Cookie Jar - Star Wars Stormtrooper Cookie Jar £29.90 ($56.68) Name A Star £29.90 ($56.68) Omega Levitron - Unbelievable Anti-Gravity Gadget £28.99 ($54.96) World Of Wines Board Game £24.90 ($47.20) AntWorks £19.90 ($37.72) Executive Pressure Meter £12.90 ($24.45) Pocket Poker £12.90 ($24.45) The Ultimate Hen Night Party Kit £9.95 ($18.86) Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook - Dating and Sex £9.90 ($18.77) Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook - Work £9.90 ($18.77) Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook - Golf £9.90 ($18.77) Therm Au Rouge - Red Wine Warmer £9.90 ($18.77) Pub Optic Drink Dispenser £9.90 ($18.77) Giant Playing Cards £9.75 ($18.48) Mango Fandango Scented Candle £7.95 ($15.07) Popular Christmas Gift Ideas - more in each department Rally Driving Experience UK £179.99 ($341.21) Robosapien Robot £64.95 (on sale) Laserpod Crystal and Laser Lamp £57.49 (on sale) Set of 3 Lounge Light Colour Changing Candles £39.90 ($75.64) My Heart Forever Box £31.90 (on sale) Lord and Lady of the Glen £27.50 (on sale) Twister Duvet Cover - Double £26.90 (on sale) Trembler Orgasmatron Head Massager £18.95 (on sale) Acre of the Moon £18.90 (on sale) Swarovski Crystal Rainbow Maker £17.90 (on sale) Eyezone Massager £13.99 (on sale) Desktop Racing Minis £14.90 ($28.25) Bubble Bath Machine £11.90 ($22.56) Cushtie Cushion Pillow - Pink £9.90 ($18.77) home page site map back to the top Home Page all 4 men 4 women 4 children health corporate wedding any price under 25 under 50 under 75 under 100 over 100 Newsletter Signup Your firstname E-mail Address

Golf Gift Guide From

Holiday Golf Gift Guide - Gift Ideas for Golfers You are here: About > Sports > Golf Sports Golf Essentials Almanac: Records, Stats, Timeline Golf Glossary Equipment Reviews & News The Rules of Golf Pro Shop Articles & Resources Beginners Equipment Golfers Tours / Major Events Golf Courses Rules of Golf Handicaps History of Golf Golf Tips Fitness & Health VideoGames / Trivia / Humor Women Junior Golf Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Top 10 Instructional Videos/DVDs Top 10 Instructional Books Top 7 Golf Movies Product Reviews Articles Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Golf newsletter! See Online Courses Search Golf Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Find Clubs, Balls, More in the Pro Shop Equipment Reviews and News Most Popular Free Online Golf Games Golf Trivia - Play Golf Trivia Hangman NabiscoWorld "Golf Course" Glossary of Golf Terms Golf Rules What's Hot Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 8 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 3 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 9 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 6 Michelle Wie at the 2005 U.S. Women's Open - 8 Related Topics Tennis Football Baseball Basketball Pro Ice Hockey Holiday Golf Gift Guide From Brent Kelley , Your Guide to Golf . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Gift Ideas for the Golfer in Your Life (Note: This article was prepared for the 2003 holiday season. For up-to-date recommendations on golf gifts , visit our Golf Gifts guide.) If you're still fretting over what to get that golfer in your life during the holiday season, we've got a few suggestions for items that will make nifty gifts. We stay away from major-brand golf clubs here because you already knowwhere to find those: In our Pro Shop and in our Best of 2003 rankings. If you want to find a great deal on golf clubs, our price-comparison partner can show you where to look. So for big-ticket golf clubs, visit our Pro Shop . For golf gift ideas a little less mainstream, read on ... (Please note: Where prices are noted, they are subject to change without notice, and may vary depending on location.) Golf Club Accessories You know those club-and-ball washers that stand on most tee boxes at golf courses? The ones with the nasty water and filthy rag? The Clubwash ($12.99 at Edwin Watts) eliminates the need to deal with the on-course washers - it snaps right onto a golf bag. The All-Terrain Cart ($89.97, various merchants) is a pull cart that can go anywhere. We hear NASA is considering this baby for its Mars rover. And if your golfer needs a pull cart that can handle rough terrain, then he or she probably also needs the ... Search 'N Rescue Ball Retreiver ($21.95-$42.95 at TGW.com). You know the golfer who uses this souped-up version of the ball retreiver: He doesn't just hit a lot of balls into the water, he feels compelled to retrieve everyone else's golf balls, too. Gadgets The Coleman CartCat Catalytic Heater ($79.99 at Edwin Watts) is a portable space heater for golf carts. Propane not included - but once it is, this contraption will fit into most cart cupholders and help out during those winter rounds. Dunlop's Golf Scorecard Watch ($79.99 at Target.com or click link for another option) tells time and has an alarm and calendar. But it also allows the golfer to keep score during a round and holds the scorecards of up to 20 rounds. For Display The My Best Score Ever Plaque ($49.99 at Edwin Watts) will let your golfer show off his or her, well, best score ever. It's an attractive, mountable display case to show off that one great scorecard. Along the same lines, the Scorecard Caddie ($24.95 from the manufacturer) can store up to 220 scorecards, photo-album style. More Golf Gift Ideas on Next Page 1 2 3 Next Most Popular Video Bathroom Decoration Ideas Tag Sale Tips Creating a Craft Room Making a Personal Space Be Your Own Contractor See other videos at About.com Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Poll: What would you do with $10 million? 1) Spend it 4) Pay bills 2) Donate 5) Save 3) Invest 6) Not sure Is New York City Safe? Tips for Women Travelling What's Hot Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 8 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 3 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 9 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 6 Michelle Wie at the 2005 U.S. Women's Open - 8