The
North Bay
Giftshed
by nancy sands johnson
photos by stuart lirette
Our Top 9 Local & Sustainable Gift Ideas
H
ere's the reality of leading a
simple, zero-waste lifestyle
during the holidays. It's
tough.
Sure, you can stand up at Thanksgiving and renounce holiday consumerism all together. But family, friends
and even supportive spouses will still
expect useful, fun and beautiful gifts
under the tree or next to the menorah.
While home-made gifts are usually
well received, if you're like most busy
people, you may be scrambling to get
them done come late December. At
that point, the shopping mall and online megastore you vowed to boycott
will look awfully enticing. And your
credit card will hurt from the last minute shopping extravaganza.
This year, try a simpler approach.
Look for high-quality, well-priced
products made by local people or
companies, and buy them at locallyowned and operated stores located in
the North Bay "giftshed." You'll save
money and gas (especially if you walk
or bike while shopping), you'll support the local economy, and in the end
you'll convince your friends, family
and even your spouse—that yes, it's
easy to live sustainably.
32
FLOURISH • WINTER 2013
1 – ring on
B
the Fun!
The Perplexus (perplexus.net) is a bendy,
trendy, can't-put-it-down challenge that's perfect
for keeping kids—and annoying relatives—engaged (and quiet) during long car rides or shopping excursions. Created by North Bay local
Michael McGinnus, who teaches art at Santa Rosa
Junior College, Perplexus puzzle balls are available
in increasingly challenging ranges: rookie (4+),
original (6+), and the Epic (8+-106), which recently
won the 2013 Toy of the Year award. Shown: Original Perplexus, $26.99
Give a rocket ship or tea set made by Mill Valley-based Green Toys, Inc., (greentoys.
com) at your holiday event, and you'll be a hero in the eyes of every little kid and sustainably-minded adult in the room. Made in the
USA of recycled milk containers (18+ million
so far), Green Toys' line of updated classics–
from shape sorters to dump , trucks—inspires
imagination and fun, without phthalates or
BPA residue. Order online or purchase from
local toy stores listed below. Shown: Rocket
Ship, $24.99
Support local business owners by purchasing Perplexus and Green Toys products at
ToyHouse in Mill Valley (toyhousemillvalley.
com), 5 Little Monkeys in downtown Novato
(5littlemonkeys.com) or Fundemonium Toys
(fundemoniumtoys.com) in Petaluma.
