Last week we featured some easy handmade craft projects to give as holiday gifts.  This week I would like to share some more projects and gift ideas…look for upcoming posts about experience gifts and last minute ideas!

First up, for those friends and family members in your life who like to craft or aspire to craft, Crafting a Green World posted some new crafting books they recommend:

Green Guide for Artists: Nontoxic Recipes, Green Art Ideas, and Resources for the Eco-Conscious Artist

And for parents, this is a great resource: Green Crafts for Children: 35 Step-by-Step Projects Using Natural, Recycled, and Found Materials.

I really like this one: The Green Crafter: 53 Eco-Friendly Projects for Every Week of the Year.

There are more books they recommend, so make a visit to their site!

Next, the Advent Calendar.  Though it’s a bit late for this year, I also think yo could make one as a present to give to someone for next year’s holiday season.  It’s a very easy project and great for multiple people to work on together.  All you need are some office supplies, brown paper bags, and surprises for each day.

Next, Superhero capes! I really love these and will most likely make one for my nephew next year.  All you need are some old sheets and a sewing machine.  I also know that recovergirl has made similar capes using old towels.

Holiday Wreaths! I have two to share with you – Design*Sponge featured this clothesline wreath last week that is EASY to make and looks great – I really like the subtle colors.  Also, last year recovergirl made a beautiful, colorful felted wreath out of sweater scraps.  Handmade wreaths are great gifts that friends and family can take out every year and think of you!

What are you making for gifts this year?

Fall is here and as the days become cooler, all I want to do is put on my favorite wool sweater and head to the local cafe with a good book.

This is a great time of year to stockpile on books to get through the upcoming winter.  To help you prepare, we are hosting the Falmouth Goodwill Book Sale – I hope to see some of you there!

The sale is  this weekend, October 3 &4, during regular store hours.  The store will be featuring THOUSANDS of books for your browsing pleasure.

Book deals include:

*Select hardcover books HALF price

*Select softcover books HALF price

*Coffeetable Books HALF price

*Children’s books 2 for $0.99

The Falmouth Goodwill Store and Donation Center is located at Shaw’s Plaza on Route One in Falmouth.

To all bibliophiles out there!

The Bangor Goodwill (805 Stillwater Ave) is having a spectacular book sale this weekend, June 13-14.  The store will open at 8 am on Saturday and Sunday.  There will be over 6,000 books to browse!  Not only that, but more than 2,000 books will be 50% off!

Stop by, enjoy some cake and balloons, and pick up all your summer reading materials!

Please call (207) 947-7984 for more information.

The holiday season is officially upon us. I have found and received many great inexpensive and green gift ideas for the holidays. Following is a round up everyone’s suggestions:

1. Handmade Children’s Toys: I know I suggested checking out etsy in the last post, but I really liked this Rainbow Bunting Set that Queen City Craft highlighted in a recent post. It is a great gift for young children and made locally! Green Mountain Wee Woolies also has plenty of other handmade creations.

2. CD Covers: Roxy Jewelry had a great post about recycled CD/DVD covers made from old Magic Eye books. As she suggests, what a great idea to make a music mix and wrap it up in something special–this is an easy, thoughtful, and inexpensive gift anyone would appreciate. Though she has run out of this design, she has Grand Canyon covers available and it is also easy to make your own!

3. Cookie Molds: Do you have friends or family members who love to bake? Check out Brown Bag Designs. For the second year in a row, they have created a cookie mold whose sale benefits a different non-profit. This year they chose Heifer International and created a beautiful “Heifer and Friends” cookie mold. They cost $19.95 with $12 of the sale going directly to Heifer International.

4. Books: For all of you book-lovers and friend of book-lovers, how about putting together a collection of used and vintage titles? A post on Thrifty Chicks has inspired me to put together a collection of children’s books for my nephew. Whether you have a friend or family member who loves classics, mysteries, romance, or history, browsing through Goodwill and other second-hand stores is sure to be successful.

5. Candles: How about homemade candles? Check out this post about how to make candles in your crockpot!

6. Lip Balm: Don’t let your friends’ lips get chapped! Lip balm is fun and easy to make. Try this simple recipe at Green Bee or check out this post if you would like to make a bunch at once.

7. Food: Who doesn’t like to eat? How about putting together a basket of local foods from Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont? You are sure to find these products at your local grocery stores or specialty shops. Maple syrup, oatmeal, ployes, granola…there is lots of great local food that would make for excellent presents.

Final Thoughts…

Not to drag down all this holiday cheer, but the holiday can produce lots of waste: wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, bags…you get the picture. I read a great post on the Lean Green Family about some easy steps you can take to reduce holiday waste.

Finally, this is the time of year for giving. If you’re not sure what to buy someone, rather than get them stuff you they may not want or need, consider making a donation to an organization they care about in their name. This is a gift anyone will appreciate. Read more about giving on the Lean Green Family’s “Spend Less, Give More” post.

Please stay tuned for more posts this month about affordable holiday options, including some great finds at Goodwill stores!