DIY Eco-Gifts For The Kids On Your List

Kids learn by example from their parents (yes, I like to jump off swings too). The holidays are the time of year when everything is heightened, including the messages and traditions parents pass on to their children.

In the holiday craze, sometimes the important messages of the season get tossed out the window, only to be replaced by the, "I want..." and "Can I have..." vibe. I remember how the arrival of the massive Toys R Us catalog would send my kiddies into a "I want..." tizzy.

One gift you can never go wrong with is play dough. Little kids love its tactile squishiness. Not only does play dough provide hours of fun, it has the ability to improve hand strength, dexterity, and motor skills.

"Recent research also shows that using your fingers and hands actually stimulates your brain and increases the number of neural connections it makes." ~ Schloastic Magazine

For some fun brain exercise, why not make a batch of play dough for the little ones on your holiday list? There are lots of recipes for play dough, but this natural one I've been making with school children for years:

DIY Play Dough

What you need:

2 cups organic flour 2 cups warm water/apple juice 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil 2 tablespoons cream of tartar 1 cup organic sea salt Natural color: Beet Juice - Pink, Spinach Juice or Parsley Powder - Green, Carrot Juice or Paprika Powder - Orange, Turmeric Powder – Yellow

What to do:

1. Place ingredients, into a large pot over. 2. Cook on a low flame and mix. 3. Keep mixing until the consistency is heavy. 4. Put in bowl and let cool. 5. Knead the dough. 6. Add natural coloring

Here's the original post with more DIY eco-holiday gifts for kids.

DIY Gifts For The Junk Collector On Your Holiday List

There are two types of junk collectors:

1. The collector who is constantly acquiring stuff, and the junk accumulates in every nook and cranny of their life. It forms the deadliest of all junk - clutter. 2. The collector who is constantly acquiring stuff and finding creative reuses for it. These folks are the ultimate recyclers as they repair and repurpose the trash to make treasures.

Pete Seeger said it best in his song, "If It Can't Be Reduced"

"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."

Collecting stuff seems to be a human instinct. What would be the best gift to give a collector to help them get a handle on all their junk?...Organization.

Here are 10 Out Of Sight Out Of Mind DIY Boxes to deal with the organized mess, and here’s how to help identify what’s in the box:

DIY Chalkboard Labels

Materials:

Eco-friendly colored chalkboard paint – I like Hudson Paint because there are over 20 beautiful colors to choose from, it’s a low-VOC paint and it is a small local company.

Paintbrush

Old greeting cards

Scissors

Chalk

What to do:

1. Cut greeting cards to size. 2. Paint blank side of card with chalkboard paint. 3. Let dry. 4. Attach to box with glue.

Photos: unknown, Hudson Paint

First Snow Graffiti

This installation, check by Thomas Voorn via Design Milk portrays all that I love about winter (which is almost everything except shoveling).

This image danced across my computer screen as the flakes began to fall.

Dust of Snow ~ Robert Frost

The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued

DIY Eco-Gifts For The "i..." Fanatic On Your Holiday List

Let's face it, the iPod/iPhone/iPad has certainly changed the way we do…everything. What's so great about all these iProducts? Apple dubbed iPhones as nothing less than magically revolutionary.

"A revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone. We are all born with the ultimate pointing device; our fingers and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse."

While those of us who are "i" devotees (you know who you are) know that these devices can practically feed themselves, so what don't they do? Well, they can't sing without a dock, speakers or headphones. Plus, they need something to protect their precious apps from...you and me.

Making accessories instead of purchasing gifts saves resources that would otherwise be manufactured, shipped and packaged. All those accessories can add to the cost of your prized gadget. By making these accessories, you can extend the lifespan of the iBaby, keep your gift cash stash in your pocket, and give a nod to the environment. It's a win/win.

CLICK HERE for video tutorials for DIY Speakers, DIY Docks, DIY Car Holder, DIY Stand, and how to make your own iApp.

Also, maybe you missed one of the strangest posts I ever wrote about "his Steveness?" If you did not see the DIY cheesiest iProject the first time around, you can check it out HERE. (What do you think, was this the absolute low point in my writing career?)

Photo: iLounge