Would you like to avoid that embarrassing holiday garbage can? You know the one, full to the brim and beyond with boxes and paper from a few holiday gifts. Reusable gift wrap will save you the embarrassment, if that’s what motivates you. If you need more positive motivation, think of the good example and family…Read the full article.

Homemade holiday gifts not only save money, but they help our children think of the personal act of giving rather than an abstract payment of money for stuff. If you are still looking for gifts your children can make, these are a few ideas my children have tried over the years. Holiday soap. Grate a…Read the full article.

On the most commercial weekend of the year, you are bombarded with messages to buy stuff so you can give stuff. If you are trying to keep stuff to a minimal in your house, you can extend that attitude to your giving. My daughter is my model of good giving this year. If you are…Read the full article.

Has your child ever come home from a birthday party with a bag of candy and throwaway plastic toys? Is there really anyone who can say “No!” to that? I’ve even seen myself give out party gifts that make me groan and feel more determined than ever to improve the loot bag with each passing…Read the full article.

Recently, I attended a local meeting of a cloth diaper support group with about 40 adults present. Everyone got a ticket for a giveaway of a huge cloth diaper package. I was listening closely to comments and watching people’s faces. I could tell that several people really needed these diapers. Especially when the economy hits…Read the full article.

BPA, or bisphenol A, has been in the news again since October, when the Canadian Ministers of Environment and Health added the chemical to the schedule of toxic substances. The concerns about this endocrine-disrupting substance are broad, but great efforts should be made to limit exposure in babies to avoid developmental and reproductive disorders linked…Read the full article.

Children’s holiday parties and little gift-giving opportunities surround me. If you are trying to keep your kids’ holidays low-impact, our Kids store features new ideas for economically and environmentally-friendly celebrations. Children’s Holiday Gifts Did your children leave shoes out this morning for Sinterklaas? Are you waiting to put your shoes or stockings out for Odin,…Read the full article.

“What are the best new father gifts?,” I asked my husband. Without hesitation, he said, “A sling.” With a little encouragement, he came up with two more gifts that would also help a new father in his new role as part of an attachment family. Baby Carrier My husband is so convinced that a baby…Read the full article.

For a new mother, I find the best gifts are those have been helpful or meaningful to the giver. When you tell a new parent “I found this helpful when my first baby was born” or “I wish I had this when I was starting out,” the gift is far more than a consumer product…Read the full article.

The best gifts for a new mother fall into several broad categories: share delight in the baby (like a camera), ease the transition to parenthood (maybe a cleaning service), and tools to help with baby. This week I am going to write about the latter, baby tools that would be great gifts for a new…Read the full article.