When Thinking About Gift Giving With Eco-Consciousness

Living in today's materialism seems to be the norm. It takes "intention" to shift the tide when living with materials and giving of ourselves. I think these are some great guidelines taken from Tree Huggers.
1. Be sure your material gift will get used
It may be the thought that counts, but a gift that the receiver does not use is simply wasted: not a very nice thought. Give material possessions only if you know the recipient well enough to pick out something they were on the cusp of getting for themselves, or which they really need and will certainly enjoy using.
2. Give a consumable gift
Your friend will love your consumable gift twice: once while enjoying the organic teas, fair trade coffee, fresh flowers, fresh or dried fruits and nuts, or other consumable gift; and again when they appreciate that your gift leaves them with no guilty conscience about a gift left unused in the corner of their closet.
3. Share a piece of yourself
Avoid material consumption altogether. Instead, offer your services to baby-sit while your friend enjoys a cozy date with their partner, give a gift certificate for a relaxing massage, or a winter’s-worth of driveway shoveling (in which case you just save that massage for yourself).
4. Make a gift of a green service
If your time is prioritized elsewhere, you can buy a green service. Consider a gift of carbon offsets for a commuting colleague or a Zipcar membership for a friend who more frequently must turn to taxis to supplement their public transport lifestyle.
5. Make a gift of any service
You will still reduce material consumption by giving a service of any kind. Especially heart-warming are humanitarian services, such as making a gift of a micro-loan (for example via Kiva).
6. Give a gift where it is needed on behalf of someone better off
Make a child smile when they get a card describing the child in another part of the world whose life will be improved by the gift of a llama or a sheep on their behalf (for example via World Gifts or Heifer.
7. Creative gifts show you care
The baby sweater you knit yourself is more likely to become a family heirloom, extending the life cycle of the materials in your gift.
8. Buy a local gift
A gift made or grown locally can tell a story or share a unique product you have discovered on your own stomping grounds. Your locally-sourced gift will save the environment from the emissions involved in shipping.
9. Buy high-quality goods
Sometimes a little extra care or money invested will result in finding a high quality gift that will do justice to the materials consumed in the manufacturing by a long lifespan. Try flea markets or vintage and second-hand shops for quality goods you can afford: then make the gift “new” with a personal touch like a special paint job, or some ribbon around the edges. Your friend will enjoy your perfect high-quality gift much longer!
10. Think about your packaging
Use packaging that will not go to waste. Your packaging may be part of the gift itself, such as wrapping the gift in a scarf or enclosing it in a box that can be reused for collecting life’s odds and ends. Reusable wrapping, such as a gift bag, will pass on the fun. For family and close friends, consider the Sunday funnies instead of commercial gift wrap.

ELEMENTS of MESSIANIC/CHRISTIAN WEDDING CEREMONY

The Kallah (bride) and Chatan (groom) traditionally fast for 24 hours before the wedding and restrain themselves from seeing each other for 1 week prior to the ceremony. Michaels father will be officating. We have designated an area of the garden that has a pergola that will function as the Chuppah which symbolizes the home - open on all sides as to invite community and a covering that symbolizes the covering of God's love and grace. Both the bride and groom will be escoted to under the Chuppah by their father and mother. The mothers will break a plate symbolizing the broken relationship between the home of the original family. The breaking of the glass by the groom is to signify that just as broken glass is never able to be completely repaired, neither is a broken marriage. This is to instill accountability for the committment vows. These vows are in the form of a Drashala - or charge of challenge committments to each other and God. The reading and signing of the Ketubah (marriage contract) is done before the ceremony. Callie would like the Ketubah to be designed by her sister Rachelle who is an artist. The ceremony will end with an announcement and blowing of the Shofar (Ram's horn). Of course there are many other elements to consider, but this is a sneek preview into the event slated for June 28, 2008.

THE DRESS, DAY ONE MENU and STATIONARY

Callie and I had our weekly meeting to work on her redesigned gown for Day 1 of the celebration. There was more deconstruction and need for more fabric. A great amount of energy was given to locate a wholesale fabric vendor in the US to purchase peacesilk, milk fabric, soy fabric, seacell, hemp satin, stretch bamboo, and various other vegetable fabric products. However, access to these items is prohibitive. Either the supplier websites couldn't be accessed, samples were costly and time consuming to receive, and the cost of the fabrics were prohibitive. Linda Loudermilk is an amazing designer who uses only eco-friendly fabrics, but the generic designer..... is held at bay. These products seem to be available only to those who have connections. We finally decided to go to the local second hand store and find previously loved gowns, drapery sheers, and fabric pieces to move forward with the morphodesign process. Fortunately, we found a gown of the same vintage, color, and textures as well as a piece of fabric to add as an accent. Once again we pulled out the seam rippers and our problem solving skills to progress with our textile architecture.

We are still trying to locate a baker who will make and "organic" cheesecake that tastes wonderful and willing to be creative with design elements. We sampled a local baker to save on travel CO2 emissions, but after sampling the cakes, we decided the vendor wouldn't work for us. We have located another baker in a small town nearby. This business is willing to have us purchase the "organic" products needed to prepare our cheesecake. We still need to sample the cakes and make design requests.

It was time to talk about the menu for day one so we can decide on food catering etc. The Messianic/Christian wedding will take place at sunset. Our guests will arrive at 7:30 for organic/fair trade wine, appetizers and fruit while mingling under a canapy in the front gardens. At 8:15 the guests will be directed into the back yard covered under a large tent and seating for the 8:35 PM ceremony. At the end of the ceremony the bride and groom will go to a quiet room to spend their first moments alone as a couple. During this time the guests will be seated for a light sit-down meal of a specially designed salad with greens, creamy soup, and grain bread formed in the shape of a Challah so that knives (non-violent) will not be necessary. The highlight of the evening will be the dessert table with an amazing cheesecake with a side of fresh fruit, a variety of handmade chocolate truffles, and fairtrade coffee/tea.

We have found a wonderful site that has affordable bannana, mango, and coffee papers (ecopaper.com). We even found a site that sells stationary made of elephant dung (probably won't use). Callie also discussed setting up a website that allows our guests to access which will provide directions to the ceremony, RSVP, suggestions for renting "green cars", use of train etc. and bridal registry/donation to ethical/conscious organizations in order to cut maintain eco-ethics. Our home residence is currently using alternative energy sources through the local WE Energies in keeping with our eco-conscious attitudes.

Focusing on the Bride

Callie's dress redesign is going to require adding an additional 10 yards of fabric. We have a couple options to remain within our eco-friendly ideology. We can either go to the second hand store and recycle another dress or find "green" fabric suppliers. I have located a supplier in Oregon who will send us a sample of ethically processed silk. I hope to get the info soon so we can make our decision. We are also looking for peace silk shoes. I have added a couple websites to the blog that give us some options for vegetarian shoes. We can also, go to a garage sale or second hand store for shoes as well.

THE DRESS, VEIL, AND INVITATION LIST

Another day in the dressmaker shoppe. Callie and I met to work on her wedding dress for Day 1 of this 2 day event. This gown is especially important because it is an heirloom dress from her future mom-in-law (Sharon). We are preserving the elegant design elements while integrating the unique characteristics Callie desires to present to her groom (Michael) on their special day. It looks as though the bride will carry a bouquet of fuschia and gardenia. The intent of the design is to emulate the grace and flounce of these botanicals in the structure and flow of the gown. As of today, the gown is completely deconstructed and in several pieces. Next week we hope to begin the reconstruction process. We also deconstructed the veil and hope to recreate by adding a Spanish comb and fresh flowers on the wedding day.

We also discussed the guest list in hopes of keeping it within Callie and Michaels goal of having an intimate and elegant event involving the individuals immediately committed and vested in their marital vows/promises. All family and friends will be gathered on Day 2 to extend their congratulations to the couple at the home/garden of the grooms parents (Jim and Sharon Thurow). This will be a full day of music, food, games and fun.