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oi oieeneie m neny gift She stresses that when buying gifts, consumers should always be watchful for excessive packaging. Vieregge says consumers tend to buy many little presents, rather than spending a little more for gifts that are durable. "The excess packaging and the wrapping has a big impact on the landfills," says Vieregge. "A lot of people go out and buy 18 little toys for their kids and half of those break two days later. They should buy two or three toys that will last." Vieregge points out that consumer binging apâ€" pears to be decreasing but she credits the recession for the decrease, not concern for the environment. To cut down on the waste that still occurs from wrapping paper, Vieregge suggests using canvas bags or cloth wrappings such as tea towels, even the Not only is the environment in trouble but so is our economy. Add to that our global problems of hunger and starvation and it doesn‘t seem like there is a lot to be jolly about this season. But there is a simple way to deal with these dilemmas, or at least partially â€" alternative Christmas gifts that are environmentally friendly, or help support growth and development in the Third World. The key word is alternative. These gifts probably aren‘t the first items that come to mind when setting out for the stores. Janet Vieregge, Research Coâ€"ordinator for the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group, says that the best gift ideas are homemade, but if you‘re not the craftyâ€"type, there are a wealth of products for the conscious consumer. Vieregge suggests water shaving shower heads, which are available with a massage unit, subscripâ€" tions to Earth Keeper or Alternative Greenpeace magazine, refillable ink pens, razors that only need refillable blades, rechargeable batteries, bird feedâ€" ers. composters and gift certificates to the theatre or restaurants â€" always an environmentallyâ€"friendly im Every year shoppers flock to the malls in search of that perfect gift, not worrying too much about excessive packaging or even environmentally unâ€" safe products. R Michelle Lahn Chronicle Staff PAGE B14 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY. DETEMBER 18. 1991 Nee n ere A Green Christmas | *»=_ Merry | Gifts that make a difference {Toy to The World The Christmas miracle ... a Child is born and with Him comes the peace and joy of His love. May this peace and joy which is the glory of this holy season be an inspiration and a comfort to all. PAUL GOOD ED GOOD 171 KING STREET SOUTH, WATERLOO, ONTARIO NJ 1P7 1458445 "It‘s not somethir;é-‘wâ€"l_\;re foreigners are coming in and planting trees and walking away. It‘s a complete project from start to finish," adds Middle ‘"The goal is to put trees back and the villagers are taught agroforestry. It‘s a longâ€"run project that will help them be more selfâ€"sufficient rather than just sending food to them which is only a temporary solution," says Middleton. "The whole process is in the village, the whole process of planting the seedlings and growing the trees, so the villagers take pride in their project. And the list goes on and on. The Centre also carmies a variety of products through Bridgehead, a nonâ€"profit organization (owned by OXFAMâ€"Canada) which promotes fair trade between wealthy and poor nations. A table inside the Centre doorway displays an array of coffees from Nicaragua, tea from Sri Lanka, all natural rainforest crunch and herbal soap from India. The soap for example, is made form pure vegetable oils extracted from plants, and is perfumed with the natural scents of roots, herbs, leaves and flowers it‘ be in Ob 07. m aihts AasntaiichsAlclidus : Ahe cAbsbdbciabbeibcd Kathy Middleton, a board member with the Global Community Centre, says that the villagers take care of the trees and through their work, can enjoy both physical and emotional benefits. The villagers are paid with clean drinking water, food and oil, and they also gain a sense of accomplishâ€" The Global Community Centre is selling sweatâ€" shirts and tâ€"shirts to support growth and developâ€" ment in the Third World, which sport the logo "Plant a Tree in Africa." Produced by Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR), out of every shirt sold, 40 trees are planted in Ethiopia. In the last two years, CPAR has planted 16 million trees, in}Proving‘ soil quality and reviving agriculture. ment The Recycling Council of Ontario also has a few helpful hints. The Council encourages giftâ€"givers to promote an environmentally sound mode of transâ€" portation by giving a transit pass, or bicycle equipment such as a helmet or water bottle. cartoons from the newspaper JIM ERB ol 3 T Now in our 26th year 2\ ’. mmm 886â€"1420 } Seprvonr Qrvarn en caitbrvcast KVE EIVBN EVEA EVE B j MESSIAH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AND STAFF _ VIC, WIN, JOHN, VICKY, IRENE, ANITA, CHERYL & MARY ANN December 18 Advent Service Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. December 24 Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m December 25 Christmas Day Service Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. Also For You: "Yeshua and the First Christmas" on Vision TV, Cable 28 â€" Monday at 10:30 p.m., and Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. 694 Glen Forrest Bivd. Waterloo.{(r)'n'urlo 884â€"3849 Is Christmas A Hassle? VIC FOSTER TRAVEL \ WOU A zim ‘Your Experienced Travel Agent‘ »alet \he HOME APPLIANCE CENTER 30 COLUMBIA ST. E. WATERLOOD MAYTAG Christmds } From Our Family to Yours Wishing you health and happiness during this Holiday Season and throughout the year. The Bate Family. June, Bill Sr., David and Bill Jr. and Staff BATE‘S has l soh on Rest In Jesus! e lt mt o oa % at