5 Eco-Terrific Pick-Me-Ups To Keep A Kid Smiling During Cabin Fever Season!

It’s always a challenge to keep kids from going crazy with cabin fever in the winter! Below are 5 eco-fun picks from AbesMarket.com to keep the kids entertained and their brains active while they’re stuck inside.

Glob’s Natural Paint Packets
Whether the kids want to paint-by-numbers or have more fun outside the lines, this 6-pack of natural vibrant paints will help them tap into their creative side. And they’re great for egg dying too! $12.00

bObles Multi-functional Furniture

Instead of climbing up the walls, have the kids climb on the furniture. bObles created a line of fun, whimsical and well-designed kids furniture in shapes like elephants, crocodiles and chickens that turn into steps, boats, tables, seats, balancing pieces and more. bObles encourages motor function, imagination and, most importantly, fun! From $49.00

CitiBlocs
Who doesn’t love building things? Think about how much fun kids can have with Citiblocs, eco-friendly, affordable wooden toys. They encourage your kids to spend hours at play, exercising their minds and building up cities with the 100- or 200-piece block sets. From $25.99

Box Play For Kids
Looking for ways to encourage your kid’s creativity while also teaching him about being green and eco-friendly? These adorable sticker sets are made to be used with boxes you’d normally recycle, including the numerous milk cartons, mac & cheese boxes and egg cartons you no doubt go through. So they’re having fun while you upcycle something that would normally get tossed. From $3.00

Wee Can Too Veggie Crayons
Little kids love putting things in their mouths and with these vibrant crayons made from organic fruit and vegetable powders, it’s OK! We’re not suggesting you substitute the crayons for their regular, healthy regimen of produce, but now they can color and have fun while you know the products are safe. $11.00

In my next posting, we shall take a look at eco-terrific pick-me-ups for parents!  Stay Tuned!

Agritourism: Fabulous ‘Farm Stay’ Vacations in the USA, the UK, and Italy! Part I

The popularity of American ‘Farm Stays’ has been steadily increasing over the past few years. Putting up city folk in converted barns, cabins, cottages, and platform tents is not only a good way of earning extra dollars for American farmers, it allows the public at large to learn about the way food is produced and brought from the farm to the table fork so-to-speak.  Today in America alone, there are over 1000 farm stay destinations that offer unique accommodations and experiences for both the budget-minded and the celebrity-minded.  Whether you are looking for an outdoor adventure or a quiet retreat, a ‘Farm Stay’ vacation allows both adventure-seeking guests and holiday travelers to help as little or as much as they want with hands-on farm activities such as picking fruits and vegetables, milking cows, collecting eggs, and making homemade cheese, butter, and jam – OR – by simply relaxing in the serenity of the landscape i.e. dipping in a farmhouse spa, hiking, biking, and horseback riding nature’s trails, hitching a hayride or perhaps a tractor ride, and yes –  sipping the finest pinot noir in the gardens whilst watching fireflies twinkle and the sun set over the hills.

As for ‘Farm Stay’ vacations in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – they have been around since the 1980’s.  Perhaps the biggest difference between American and British ‘Farm Stay’ vacations is the growing number of posh “Five Star Farm Stays” set in luxurious settings with romantic self-catering cottages next to stately homes, castles, and five hundred year old thatched farmhouses. In lieu of farm equipment and animal feed, one is offered a croquet lawn and a portable barbecue instead.  You might say – tourism has overtaken the working farm in these cases where saunas and hot tubs have replaced the pigsties.  Another trend is the fast-growing franchise of “Featherdown Farms” across the UK. Launched in 2006 and now up to 29 locations, these highly stylized safari-style campsites set on working farms, now offer young British parents with children the chance to live an “idealized” version of life on the farm.

Either way in America or the UK, a “Farm Stay” vacation is certainly here to stay.  In our next follow-up article, we shall look at the booming big business of ‘Farm Stay’ vacations in Italy. Ciao for now.

10 FABULOUS FARM STAYS IN THE USA

1- Liberty Hill Farm, Rochester, Vermont – www.libertyhillfarm.com

2- Hull-O Farms, Durham, New York – www.hull-o.com

3- Abbey Road Farm Bed & Breakfast, Carlton, Oregon – www.abbeyroadfarm.com

4- Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York – www.farmsanctuary.org

5- North Country Farms, Kilaeua, Kauai, Hawaii – www.northcountryfarms.com

6- Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee – www.blackberryfarm.com

7- Pagett Farm, Palermo, Maine – www.pagettfarm.com

8- Juniper Moon Farm, Palmyra, Virginia – www.fiberfarm.com

9- S&S Homestead Farm, Lopez Island, Washington – www.sshomestead.org

10- Philo Apple Farm, Philo, California – www.philoapplefarm.com

Helpful US Farm Stay Resources: www.farmstayamerica.com, www.farmstayus.com, www.pafarmstay.com, www.vtfarms.org

10 FABULOUS FARM STAYS IN THE UK

1- North Wheddon Farm, Exmoor, Somerset, England – http://www.northwheddonfarm.co.uk/

2-Troytown Farm, St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly, England– http://www.troytown.co.uk/

3-Yaxley Hall Home Farm, Hemingstone, Suffolk, England– www.yaxleyhallhomefarm.co.uk/

4-Higher Lank Farm, Bodmin, Cornwall, England – http://higherlankfarm.co.uk/

5-Coldharbour Cottage, Stone-in-Oxney, Kent, England – http://www.coldharbourcottage.co.uk/

6-Clyne Farm, Mayals, Swansea, Wales – http://clynefarm.com/

7-Hagley Bridge Farm, Somerset, England – http://hagleybridgefarm.co.uk/

8-Farnless Farm Park, Sedgefield, Durham, England – http://www.farnlessfarmpark.co.uk/

9-Inchie Farm, Port of Menteith, Stirling, Scotland – http://inchiefarm.co.uk/

10-Maddybenny Farmhouse, Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland – http://www.ireland-guide.com/establishment/maddybenny-farmhouse.3083.html?

Helpful UK Stay Farm Resources: www.farmstay.co.uk/, www.wiltshirefarmstay.co.uk/,  www.cotswoldsfarmstay.co.uk/, http://www.visitengland.com/ee/Farm-stay/

Camels, Bears, and Elephants – Oh My! These and Other Animal Festivals to Vacation By!

For most Americans, “Festival” is a word that conjures up a whole host of annual galas, banquets, and special events that range from film festivals to jazz festivals – from balloon festivals to food and music festivals – from marathons to parades – from fan conventions to antique and renaissance fairs. But a new breed of ‘green festivals’ has now taken hold of both the American imagination and nature-seeking enthusiasts across the globe – ‘Animal-themed Festivals’ – festivals that celebrate, educate, and offer unique field trip insights and adventures into the world of exotic and endangered species of animals.

So start planning and packing for a new kind of vacation. To help you along the way, let’s see if you can match the place of destination with the type of animal festival in the descriptions below. I’ve narrowed your choices down to just TEN Animal Festivals: a Bird, an Elephant, a Camel, a Penguin, a Platypus, a Moose, a Bat, a Whale, a Bear and a Sea Turtle Festival – and not necessarily in that order.

Now let the festivities begin!

1- Every November In the town of Surin in Thailand, these animals are rounded up and talent competitions are held – followed up by folk dances and other cultural performances. Note: This two day festival celebrates one of the most beloved animals of the Buddhist kingdom.
NAME THIS ANIMAL.

2- Every October in Simon’s Town in South Africa, the festival begins with the beach release of these rescued animals back into the wild followed by children’s competitions and games, a treasure hunt, environmental shows and displays, and lively music and good food.
NAME THIS ANIMAL.

3- Every November in the Fraser Valley in southwestern British Columbia in Canada, this multi-weekend festival features the world’s largest gathering of raptors that are attracted by the season’s large supply of spawning salmon traveling upstream alongside gravel bar flats. In addition to animal watching opportunities, the festival includes eco-river tours, walking tours, historic and aboriginal sites, and local artist souvenirs, meals, and cultural entertainment. NAME THIS ANIMAL.

4- For five days, either in late October or November in the tiny desert town of Pushkar in India, a carnival-like atmosphere of villagers, farmers, traders, pilgrims, and livestock converges together to participate in this old style traditional Indian festival. The highlight of this epic spectacle features comical beauty contests of this animal as well as the racing of this animal followed by magicians, musicians, acrobats, snake charmers and peculiar gamesmanship like the “longest moustache” competition. NAME THIS ANIMAL.

5- Every September in the quiet rural township of Gloucester in New South Wales, Australia – the place comes alive with kids’ face paintings, a Tasmanian devil show-and-tell, kayaking sessions, a farmers’ market, interactions with freshwater eels and ‘yabbies’ (a type of crayfish), and a focus on this animal with its own animal spotting workshops. NAME THIS ANIMAL.

6- For four days in October along the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula in the town of Tulum, Mexico, (famously known for its pre-Columbian Mayan ruins), a series of fun activities including live music, sandcastle competitions, kite contests, painting exhibitions, and conservation programs kicks off the celebration of this endangered animal species which loves to nest in this area. NAME THIS ANIMAL.

7- Every mid-September in the world famous Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico in the United States, a swarm of cave-dwelling animals is celebrated with a weekend of guest lecturers, lantern tours, arts and crafts booths, a sheriff’s posse barbecue, a sunrise balloon launch, and a special pancake breakfast watching these animals return home from their insect-catching midnight marathon. NAME THIS ANIMAL.

8- This six-month long festival held from November to May in honor of this animal’s 3000 mile migration up to Alaska from its winter haven off the island waters of Maui in Hawaii is truly unique! Featured events include celebration cruises, a golf tournament, a paddle board and kayaking event, art exhibitions, free lectures, professionally guided spotting stations, photo safaris, and running and walking events. NAME THIS ANIMAL.

9- Every April this festival is held in the beautiful town of Franklin, known for its antebellum homes and majestic oak trees, located in the heart of St. Mary Parish along the banks of the Bayou Teche in south central Louisiana. The mission of this festival is to increase the awareness of its surrounding citizens of this endangered species of animal. Featured activities include frisky cajun music and home-grown food specialties, educational canoe trips and exhibits, fun-loving puppet and magic shows for children along with a stuffed animals repair clinic and a fireworks display. NAME THIS ANIMAL.

10- Every August in the heavily-forested North Country area of New Hampshire, this three-day extravaganza goes crazy over its most memorable animal resident. Festival goers can enjoy everything from helicopter rides to sidewalk sales, from raffles and square dancing to horse and wagon tours, maple syrup tastings and pie-tasting competitions. There is also a classic auto show and traditional country fair held in this animal’s honor. Best of all is the animal calling contest, cruise parade, and goofy photographers dressed in this animal costume. NAME THIS ANIMAL.

Answers: (1) Elephant (2) Penguin (3) Bird-Bald Eagle (4) Camel (5) Platypus (6) Sea Turtle (7) Bat (8) Humpback Whale (9) Black Bear (10) Moose

Planning Your Next Vacation? How About An Eco-Adventure-Themed Tour with Dinosaur Treasure Hunting for Kids?

Why wait for Halloween – one day of the year – to do something wild and weird? Why not book an eco-adventure tour with a prehistoric theme – dinosaur treasure hunting that is! Indeed this kind of vacation is perfect for active families with younger children for whom standard tours would be less entertaining and harder to accommodate to their growing needs. Better yet, plan it yourself.

It’s easy. Below is a list of dinosaur treasure trivia regarding the best dinosaur-hunting sites in the USA. Select a site and determine the best way to get there. Dependent upon the time of year you wish to go, add your favorite bit of outdoor recreational activity – hiking, biking, canoeing, birding, fishing, skiing, or horseback riding. So what are you waiting for – Tyrannosaurus Rex on snowshoes, perhaps?

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1- Whilst vacationing in 1858, which U.S. town and state did Victorian gentleman and fossil hobbyist, William Parker Foulke, discover the world’s first nearly-complete dinosaur skeleton in a local marl pit– known today as “Ground Zero” of Dinosaur Paleontology?

2- In which two neighboring U.S. states is the world-famous “Dinosaur National Monument” located? First discovered in 1909 by a paleontologist working and collecting for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, this well-visited site contains over 1,500 dinosaur fossils still embedded in the cliff face of the quarry.

3- Opened to the public in 1972 and featuring some of the world’s best preserved dinosaur tracks, this unique riverbed at “Dinosaur Valley State Park” can be visited in which U.S. state?

4- In which U.S. state can you find the #1 Dinosaur Museum in the country – located next to active dinosaur dig sites, a world-class preparation laboratory, and a fantastic gift shop?

5- Discovered accidentally in 1966 by a bulldozer operator, “Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum” is located in which U.S. state? Note this natural attraction contains one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America and holds an annual event each year in August filled with games, films, arts and crafts, and educational programs that allow visitors to create their own track casts.

6- Which U.S. state contains the only source of Early Cretaceous dinosaur fossils along the Eastern seaboard on a stretch of land known as “Dinosaur Alley” – dating back to 115 million years ago?

7- Just last year, in which U.S. state did hikers accidentally stumble onto a two-legged dinosaur track within the “Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area” – an area aptly noted for its 3,000-foot-high sandstone cliffs perched above the Mojave desert?

8- In which U.S. state do fossil hunters continually meet together to share their “prehistoric” adventures along the creeks of the low country looking for ‘megalodon’ teeth – an extinct species of shark that lived 28 million to 1.5 million years ago which had 7 inch size teeth and the most powerful bite of any creature that ever lived?

9- In which western state does “Ghost Ranch” lie – a place associated with both American-born painter Georgia O’Keeffe and an array of great outdoor adventure activities whose large acreage hides a famous paleontological site containing over a thousand well-preserved fossilized Triassic dinosaur skeletons? Once located near the equator over 200 million years ago, this area is now better known for its red rock scenery in Hollywood-produced movies such as “Cowboys and Aliens”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, and “No Country for Old Men” .

10- In which U.S. state can one find the internationally renown White River Badlands region – an area that is home to the world’s richest deposit of Oligocene mammals – mammals that existed 34 to 23 million years ago including the remains of fossilized rhinos, horses, and saber-toothed cats. And nearby is the “Black Hills Institute of Geological Research” a private corporation which specializes in the excavation and preparation of fossils and the sale of original fossil material and museum-quality replicas.

Answers:; (1) Haddonfield, New Jersey (2) Colorado and Utah (3) Texas (4) Wyoming (5) Connecticut (6) Maryland (7) Nevada (8) South Carolina (9) New Mexico (10) South Dakota

Are You or Your Child Suffering From Nature-Deficit Disorder? Try a Large Dose of ‘Vitamin N’ or Green Exercise!

You’ve Heard of Spa Breaks, Spring Breaks, Coffee Breaks, and Family Fun Breaks to reduce stress and blood pressure – but are you familiar with the benefits of “Nature Breaks”? With ever increasing big-city development, population density, and not enough backyards, and too little in urban access ways to recreational parks, you or your child may be one of millions of Americans suffering today from “environmental deprivation” – a lack of exposure to nature and the outdoors. That’s right – the healing power of nature in both physically challenging activities and visually experiential observations and self-reflections – has now been proven to have scientific merit.

But before I delve into researchers’ studies and examples of “green prescriptions”, let’s determine if you are suffering from the negative effects of a Nature-Deficit Disorder.

1- How long has it been since you played in the outdoors – i.e. hiked in the mountains, swam in the ocean, paddled on a lake – AND- felt so vibrant and full of life doing it?
2- How long has it been since you planted flowers or vegetables in your own backyard garden or front-side verandah or window box –AND- felt the peaceful inner pleasure of watching something grow under your care?
3- And yes, when was the last time your child voluntarily spent time away from his or her video games, his or her television set, his or her computer monitor or  iPad, and his or her mobile phone –AND INSTEAD- happily volunteered to help out an animal shelter, set up a campsite, build a wildlife sanctuary, or become a map and compass trail instructor?

Whether you are six or 60 – without “enough” exposure to natural settings – illness and behavioral issues can suddenly erupt and spill over into your daily life and workplace. Here then is what researchers have found about the power of ‘Vitamin N’ for Nature in the last 30 years.

– During the 1980s and 1990s, a number of studies demonstrated that just looking at natural landscapes offered a wide range of benefits for post-operative hospital patients, office workers, prison inmates and car commuters: quicker recovery rates, higher work productivity, lowered blood pressure, less headaches and enhanced use of the senses.
– In 2008, University of Michigan researchers demonstrated that memory performance and attention spans were improved by 20 percent after just one hour of interaction with nature.
– University of Kansas researchers have reported a 50 percent boost in creativity for people who were immersed in nature for just a few days.
– And in Japan, Jikei and Nihon University research studies show that stress-buster sleepovers at the Enoshima Aquarium can counteract a bad day at work – specifically watching jellyfish. Apparently watching jellyfish overnight stimulates the production of a compound in the saliva associated with relaxation.
– Recent studies in the USA have also shown that bringing groups of inner city children with behavioral issues on recreational and educational field trips in nature can drastically improve their sense of self-worth and social relations with others.
– As for children brought up in rural areas, two Cornell University environmental psychologists discovered back in 2003, that the amount of green landscapes a rural child is exposed to greatly influences a child’s resilience against stress and adversity – “that life’s stressful events appear not to cause as much psychological distress in children who live in high-nature conditions compared with children who live in low-nature conditions”. Conducted by Professors Nancy Wells and Gary Evans, their innovative behavioral study of rural children and the “naturalness scale” of their residential environments assessed the degree of nature in and around the homes of 337 rural children in grades 3 through 5 (whose family’s socioeconomic status and income were the same) by the number of live indoor plants inside the family home, the amount of window view space of nature itself, and the material texture of the outdoor yard – grass versus dirt or concrete.
– In a separate study, Professor Nancy Wells also found that nature significantly boosted a child’s attention span when children were moved from poor-quality housing to better-quality housing with plenty of green spaces around.

All of this gives credence to the popular “Attention Restoration Theory” first developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in their 1989 book, “The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective” – which asserts that “people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature.” So with the importance of this in mind, let’s take a look at how you or your child might engage with nature and enhance your physical, emotional, and spiritual capacity to live good quality lives.

1-Plant a garden or “schoolyard habitat”. The National Wildlife Federation assists schools in developing and “certifying” outdoor classrooms where educators and students learn how to attract and support wildlife. These mini-outdoor environments then become places where students not only learn about specific wildlife species and ecosystems but they allow children to hone their academic skills and nurture their innate creativity and curiosity. Thus far, the NWF’s Schoolyard Habitat program has certified 4000 schoolyards in all 50 states of the United States plus two territories.
2-Become a “Nature Mentor” to your children or grandchildren. Establish a “green hour” in your household – sanctioned time for contact with nature be it a television program on nature, a lunch-hour picnic in the park or on your own backyard deck, or perhaps even encouraging your youngster with an outdoor DIY project of their own making – building a wooden bird house, creating a ceramic waterfall fountain or crafting a wreath from acorns, pinecones, shell, leaves, and straw.
3-Plan a “Nature-themed” vacation or “Eco-weekend” trip. Whether your destination is an expensive eco-friendly island resort or an inexpensive bed-and-breakfast in the rural countryside, keep in mind the healthful benefits of having locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs – knowing the eco-historical and cultural legacy of the region – and seeing the eco-vibrant practices, amenities, and recycling efforts being used to protect and preserve the ecological balance of the area.

So melt away all your family’s chaotic energy and rejuvenate your senses by tapping into and reconnecting with Nature! And make sure your child’s stress reduction routine and improved attention span is sprinkled with a large dose of Vitamin N treats!

Making Your Christmas Greener & Happier – With Good Will Towards Others – And a Little Help From Santa’s Elves!

As Chief Elf of Santa’s workshop (having a Red Belt in Toy Elf Wizardry) and in charge of training and feeding Santa’s reindeer – I thought I would take some time out to invite you to learn about the “green” ins and outs of Christmas and the new ways of celebrating this holiday season without creating excessive waste – before Santa arrives where you live!

In addition to studying the three R’s in Elf School – Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic – the three NEW R’s in the Elf Curriculum are – ‘Reduce’, ‘Reuse’, and ‘Recycle’. We here at the North Pole earn ‘Elf Points’ for every kid and family that tries out these eco-friendly practices. At the same time, you will reduce ‘Carbon Elfprints’ by aiding in the reduction of landfill dumping.

Here then are some of the best ways to improve your ‘Holiday Greenness!’:

1-Green Your Christmas Gift-Giving to Friends & Family & Those Less Fortunate Than You
A) Give Flowers or Potted Plants
B) Give a Gift Certificate – from an Organic-Conscious Restaurant (Check out www.dinegreen.com) or a Local Spa or Wellness Retreat (Check out www.spawish.com or www.spafinder.com)
C) Buy a Share of Sustainable Livestock – For a Family struggling with hunger and poverty (Check out www.Heifer.org/gift )
D) Send Gift Boxes – Organic Fruit and Vegetable Gift Boxes (Check out www.ediblearrangements.com) -OR- Organic Snack Boxes (Check out www.healthysurprise.com)
E) Send Holiday Greetings on Recycled Paper with Earth-safe Inks or ‘E-cards’ (Electronic Cards) – (Check out www.care2.com and www.smilebox.com)
F) Give the Gift of Time, Talent, or Physical Labor – Promise to Clean out the Family Garage; Shovel the Driveway; Host a Party; Fix a Car; Organize Bills or a Closet; Redo a Resume etc.

2-Get Creative with Old Wrapping Paper, Boxes, Bows, & Ribbons, and Old Newspapers, Dish Towels, Bath Towels, Scarves, Sweaters, and Handkerchiefs
A) Give Your Pet an Eco-Friendly Gift by Reusing Leftover Wrapping Paper, Boxes and Bows to create a Pet Hide-a-Way or Toy
B) Recycle Old Newspaper Comics by turning it into this year’s Gift Wrapping Paper
C) Recycle Old Greeting Cards by turning them into this year’s Gift Tags
D) Recycle Old Scarves, Sweaters, Handkerchiefs, Bandannas, and Festive Dishtowels and Bath towels by knotting the ends and turning them into this year’s Gift Wraps. In Japan, special eco-friendly wrapping cloths called “Furoshiki” are designated for this purpose.

3- Green Your Christmas Tree Decorations By Avoiding Plastic Decorations and Instead Reusing Old Items Laying Around the House
A) Creatively hang up old mittens, scarves, and belts from your closet
B) Creatively hang up old wooden spoons, coasters, tea strainers, and corks from your kitchen cupboard
C) Creatively hang up old sewing items, and arts and crafts items i.e. pincushions, ribbon scraps, feathers, dried flowers, seashells
D) Creatively hang up old photographs, business cards, ink pens, doll accessories, and other children’s toys from your family den or bedroom

4) Green Your Outside Décor by Mixing Live Wreaths, Handmade Candle Holder Luminaries, and Energy-Slashing LED lights (Instead of Traditional Incandescent Christmas Lights)
Note: LED lights last about 10 times longer than traditional lights and use 90% less energy.

5) Green Your Christmas Dinner Table Menu & Presentation by Avoiding Disposable Utensils and Reliance on Imported Foods & Wines
A) Purchase Local Foods Grown as Close to Home as Possible – Support Your Local Farmers – Particularly Seasonal Ingredients, Condiments, and Honeys and Jams –
(Check out www.LocalHarvest.org/ for finding local food growers)
B) Create your own Festive Drinks and use locally-made Organic Wines
C) Create Your Own Homemade Christmas Dinner Centerpiece using a Natural Motif – Flowers, Stones, Water, and Floating Candles in an Old Punch Bowl or Fishbowl – OR – a Collage of Old Books, Picture Frames, and small Mirrors complemented by Cut-out Christmas Quotes, Lyrics, and Tissue Paper
D) Create Your Own Holiday Scent by boiling Lemons, Oranges, Cinnamon Sticks and Cloves on your stovetop
E) Compost your Food Scraps and Properly Store your Favorite Leftovers for Tomorrow’s Menu – a Casserole or Stew perhaps – or Home-Baked Muffins, Breads, and Cakes made with Leftover Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes

6) Green Your Charitable Giving – Let Your Cost Savings Support Environmental Charities and Socially-Conscious Charities
A) Donate Old Clothing to Veteran Groups, Underprivileged Kids, Homeless Shelters, and Cancer Patients
B) Donate Old Furniture to Local Thrift Shops or the Salvation Army
C) Donate Old Christmas Cards to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada – (Check out www.stjudesranch.org/shop/recycled-card-program/) – “Children at St. Jude’s Ranch learn entrepreneurship skills – making new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive ‘green’ holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of ‘going green’.”

To learn more about Elf Schooling Activities for Children – Check out www.northpole.com/Academy. And to Make a Difference to a Needy Child – become an Elf! Check out www.beanelf.org.

Meantime, on behalf of Santa and the other Elves – “We Wish you a Merry Green Ho-Ho-Ho!”