Use the 'So Kind' Registry to Simplify Your Holidays

FIND DIANE ON...

Get Our Newsletter:
Green Purse Alerts!

See the Archives!

Why My Purse is Green

Because I believe…

the fastest, most effective way to stop polluters is by pressuring them in the marketplace

women can be the world’s most powerful economic and environmental force if we intentionally shift our spending to the best green products and services

women have the power right now to solve many of our most serious environmental problems by using our green purses to make a difference

women must act – intentionally, collectively, and with the full force of our purse power behind us – if we hope to leave our children and grandchildren a better world.

If right about now you're really fretting about the commercialism of the holidays, take a deep breath, settle back, and click on the SoKind Registry. It's a one-stop way to give meaningful gifts without getting caught up in the expensive "more stuff" trap that often bogs down even the most conscientious among us.

The registry is the brain child of the wonderful Center for a New American Dream, the same folks who have been inspiring people to simplify the holidays by focusing on what's meaningful, not only on what can be bought. The So Kind Registry works in two ways. One, it encourages people to create their own non- or not-too commercial wish lists for things like music lessons, homemade dinners, museum memberships, babysitting help, or their favorite charities. Two, it allows gift givers to skip the mall and a bunch of "stuff" in favor of making gifts of time or donations to people who would really enjoy and value them. Like the idea but don't know what to put on your registry? The website offers this handy list of gift ideas to get you thinking.

There's no charge to use the Registry, though it would be additionally kind of you to make a donation to the Center to keep programs like this running. And by the way, you can use the registry for all kinds of events, including weddings, birthdays, baptisms or bar mitzvahs, housewarmings and more.

If you make your own registry, let us know. Your actions will inspire us all. Thanks to TD Friends of the Environment for sponsoring this post.

GREEN CHRISTMAS SUPPLIES

By the way, if you do need a few green Christmas supplies, like lights, recycled wrapping paper, or beeswax candles, please check out our Amazon store. We've tried to whittle down what's available on Amazon to make it easier to buy the greenest products and services available for what you do need. We receive a tiny commission on anything you purchase in our store, which helps us continue to bring you our expert content for free. Thanks.

Holiday Gift Bags Make Wrapping a Snap - and Reduce Use of Plastic Bags, Too

Avoid Post-Christmas Clutter: 15 Things You Can Easily Recycle After Christmas