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.

There are Alternative Christmas Markets in Tallahassee again in 2011.  Attendees can expect to see booths from 35 to 40 organizations to educate you on their mission, purpose and future plans.  Each Market is not identical, some organizations will be present at both, but many will only be at one.

John Wesley United Methodist Church
1689 Old St. Augustine Road
Sat, Dec 3rd – 9am to 4pm
Sun, Dec 4th – 1pm to 4pm

Christ Presbyterian Church
2317 Bannerman Road
Fri, Dec 9th – 6pm to 9pm
Sat, Dec 10th – 8am to Noon 

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 its first LEED Certified home last year.  The home utilizes standard energy efficient and environmental design practices.  Three years ago, Habitat built new homes 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.   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.

A gift certificate for the Extension’s amazing Master Gardener Program may be just what your green-thumb relative or friend is looking for!  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.