I’ve never been a big fan of wrapping paper. It has always seemed such a waste to me… but I will admit that I do oblige my skidlings at holiday time (with recycled wrapping paper of course!). Wrapping aside, it is what’s inside that counts. Here are a few great gift ideas that will help you bring Social Age values to everyone on your shopping list.

Happy (Social Age) Shopping.

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Paradice is a “green” game for today’s consciousness and teaches about give and take, in this game only the giver can win and the taker plays for a chance to become the giver. Paradice is about interaction more than competition and domination of another. It uses the game as a platform for players to compete for a goal beneficial to both - balancing taking with giving to save the earth.

Paradice is available for $69US at Taraluna

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GOOD Magazine see’s “a growing number of people tied together not by age, career, background, or circumstance, but by a shared interest. This revolves around a passion for potential mixed with fierce pragmatism and creative engagement.” They call this the “sensibility of giving a damn” which they shorten to “GOOD”.

Subscribe now and 100% of your subscription fee will go to the non-profit organization of your choice. No strings attached. Subscriptions are $20US. Info is at www.goodmagazine.com

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P3 International’s Kill A Watt™ EZ “empowers you to save money on electric bills. Now you can cut your energy costs and find out what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged in. Simply connect these appliances to the Kill A Watt EZ, and it will assess how efficient they really are. Large LCD display will count consumption by the kilowatt-hour, same as your local utility.

Calculate your cumulative electrical expenses and forecast by the day, week, month, even an entire year. Also check the quality of your power by monitoring Voltage, Line Frequency, and Power Factor. Now you’ll know if it is time for a new refrigerator or if that old air conditioner is still saving you money. With the amazing Kill A Watt EZ you’ll know “Watts” killing you.” Available for $55.99US at www.chooserenewables.com

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Send someone you love away on a “Volunteer Vacation“. Volunteer vacations are exactly what they seem… volunteers give of their time and effort at home or abroad to help a population that is near and dear to the heart. From teaching math skills in rural communities to helping save sea turtles from extinction, each volunteer vacation is a unique opportunity to give back, make new friendships, see the world and make a difference. Many agencies provide volunteer vacation opportunities. One great resource is www.charityguide.org. Basic package (camping and cleaning up a national park for instance) program fees start around $50 and range on the high end to $3000+US (serving at rural health clinics in Tanzania) with such organizations as Global Volunteers .

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Donate a Camel thru Oxfam America Unwrapped

“Let’s face it: They froth at the mouth, they’re notoriously grumpy, and they bite. But what they lack in sweet temperament, they more than make up for in character! Camels are hard-working animals that save lives. Give the animal who does it all to the loved one who has it all. Camels can survive extreme weather conditions over long periods, produce valuable resources like milk and dung for fuel and fertilizer, transport large volumes of drinking water, and be used to move families when they have to flee a disaster-stricken area.” Price of one camel: $175US.

Camel not your thing? There are plenty of other options for things you can donate to needy people and communities around the world. From mosquito nets to water jugs, school supplies and a bucket of worms, Oxfam America is making it easy for you to make a gift donation that means a lot. Details available at https://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/