Locally owned businesses in Tallahassee are having specials and appreciate your business.  They are low stress alternatives to the mall and places where you can find gifts that are often one-of-a-kind.  Check out locally owned for your special holidays and events.

The 23rd annual Alternative Christmas Market with gifts from more than 40 non-profit charitable organizations.  Saturday, December 5, 2009, and Sunday, December 6 at John Wesley United Methodist Church, St. Augustine Road and also at Christ Presbyterian ACM, Bannerman Road on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12.  Suggested donation one canned food item or roll of toilet paper.

Consider making a secure on-line donation to your local Second Harvest Food Bank to support local folks in a ten county area with healthy food throughout the year.

Habitat for Humanity of the Big Bend constructed new homes last year with solar water heaters.  Your support of their building programs in Leon and Gadsden counties provides affordable, safe and decent homes to families who may otherwise never own their own home.  Each homeowner contributes hours of his/her own labor to other families’ homes in order to qualify for a home of their own.

The Damayan Garden Project is working with schools and neighborhoods throughout Tallahassee to create family and community gardens.  Their edible schoolyards project has helped many school children to understand the importance of respecting ecosystems, while learning how food grows with a little science and math mixed in.  The educational garden at Lichgate provides an opportunity for Tallahassee residents to learn more about maintaining a garden site, growing vegetables and enjoying the beauty of the site.  If you haven’t attended a Slow Food Tallahassee event at Lichgate (1401 High Road), you are missing a gourmet experience!  Support through donations to the DamayanGarden Project ensures this great work will continue.

Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade store offering items from around the world.  I have always been able to find the perfect, unique gift there.   Located at 1415 Timberlane Road Suite 322.

Give someone a gift subscription to a CSA!   Produce that is locally grown for months or sometimes year round would be a great gift.  Montgomery Farms is offering farm subscriptions of half and full shares.  Produce is grown without chemical pesticides and is available for local drop-off delivery.  More information at Local Harvest.  ASIF Farms is also offering farm subscriptions with pesticide-free produce.  More information at Local Harvest

Adopt an Animal through St Francis Wildlife  Association.

Buy something green, literally green from Native Nurseries, perhaps organically grown herbs.  They also have a nature gift shop where you can find unique and useful gifts for nature lovers, a wild bird shop offering good quality feeders that will last for years and the freshest seed in town and a well stocked organic products section.  Located at 1661 Centerville Road, and open Monday through Saturday 8 AM - 6 PM.

Almost Exclusive puts together unique things by recycling other things.  How about a bracelet made from an old vinyl record?  They also are a local source of solar panel messenger bags and backpacks.   Located at 1460 Market St, Suite 2.

Reusable Produce Bags that are affordable and truly reusable!  I found these not locally, but on-line from a woman who makes these at home.  She’s located at etsycom, a site that features crafters of all types.  The bags are $2.00!

Convert those liter bottles to watering cans with a spout from Twist and Spout
for a $5 gift and keep one for yourself.

A tree to hang just washed plastic bags for reuse from GreenEarthMarket

A reusable salad spinner that doesn’t take up 1/2 the counter and is easy to wash?  From Green Feet for only $4.50 per reusable bag.  They also carry a pet waste composter, just in case. . .

Help someone create a lush lawn without chemicals and pesticides!   The Organic Lawn Care Manual and its DVD “Making the Organic Lawn Care Transition” are available at  SafeLawn 

Don’t forget the local Leon County Extension Office has great resources about native plants, removing invasives, growing healthy lawns, shrubs and gardens.  Their advice is free!  If you are wondering about a certain type of plant to purchase for someone, they can help you make the right purchase.  A gift certificate for the Extension’s amazing Master Gardener Program may be just what your green-thumb relative or friend is looking for!

Here’s a solar light that makes sense!  It shines light on the keyhole!  Available at 12.95 from ComfortHouse.