Gifts for all the wonderfully wacky people you love.

For your free-spirited sister with the extra-long hair who never gave up her teenage obsession with Black Beauty

What: Personal care products from At Ease Natural Scents, good for both horse and rider Why: Sis’s ponytail could use a little more luster, and these locally made, all-natural products will have her in mane-tossing condition in no time. Where to find it: Snaffles Country Lifestyles (105–9188 Glover Rd., Fort Langley), ateasehorsecare.com . Altruistic alternative: Tell Lady Godiva to quit whinnying about her tresses, and make a donation in her name to Circle F Horse Rescue Society, an Abbotsford operation that saves horses from abuse, neglect, and the slaughterhouse, and places them in loving homes. Info: circlef.ca —Jennifer Croll

For your globe-trotting cousin fresh off the plane from teaching English in Japan

What: Sake from Artisan SakeMaker Why: This top-notch, locally produced sake will help ease her culture shock. Plus, the brand-new sparkling variety will go perfectly with the sushi at her welcomehome bash. Where to find it: Artisan SakeMaker (1339 Railspur Alley, Granville Island), artisan sakemaker.com Altruistic alternative: Your cousin can fend for herself, but Totoro Forest, 15 square miles of forest, wetlands, and rice paddies just outside of Tokyo, is under constant threat of development. Donate a few bucks to keep the forest alive,and tell your cous’ you’re helping keep the air fresh for her return trip. totoroforestproject.org —JC

For your car-crazy four-year-old nephew who only communicates using the word “VROOM!”

What: Eco-friendly Sprig Adventure toys from JER Envirotech Why: Produced in Delta, these adorable automobiles are made from recycled materials, meaning that Junior’s “driving” won’t take a big toll on the environment. Where to find it: Granville Island Toy Company (3298 Main St.; 11-1496 Cartwright St.), Splash Toy Shop (4243 Dunbar St.). Altruistic alternative: If the little guy’s car collection already surpasses Jay Leno’s, consider donating a toy or some cash to Ronald McDonald House to benefit kids who could really use a lift. Info:rmhbc.ca —JC

For your hairdresser and his interior designer husband

What: Big Green Purse by Diane MacEachern. Why: He’s turned to organic shampoo, and he’s looking for low-VOC paint to finish a swanky loft. Jules and Flavio will have the secrets to conscious consumerism at their manicured fingertips with this marvellous resource for folks who love shopping (hello, Holt Renfrew!), but also love our planet (polluters are so tacky!). Where to find it: Chapters (chapters.indigo.ca ), biggreenpurse.com Altruistic alternative: Suggest they invest their hard-earned money with the Pinch Group, who’ll invest it both ethically and sustainably. Plus, Pinch will donate $200 to The Land Conservancy when they open an account. Info: pinchgroup.ca —Stephanie MacDonald

For your skinny girlfriend who can’t gain weight, even though she pigs out on everything

What: Chocol’ja Chocolates Why: Instead of stealthily replacing her mashed potatoes with Fluff-O lard, give her something rich and healthy. Not only is Chocol’ja made from organic premium cocoa, it’s produced in Guatemala by an enterprising group of women, many who are victims of war and/or domestic violence. Thin Lizzie will increase her antioxidants, her karma, and maybe even her miniscule butt (heh-heh). Where to find it: Etznab Natural Healing (1717 Grant St.), 604-255-9945 Altruistic alternative: Help a farming family acquire their own pig (or goat, or cow) with a donation in her name to Heifer International, a charity providing livestock to families in need. Info: heifer.org —SM

For your secretly artsy, socially awkward brother

What: A gift certificate from Raw Canvas Why: Yaletown’s full-service art studio provides paints, brushes, and all the supplies your bro will need to free his inner artist and express his creative visions on canvas—or through a conversation with the cutie painting next to him. Where to find it: Raw Canvas (1046 Hamilton St.), raw-canvas.com Altruistic alternative: Guarantee him a respectable spot in the arts community by making a donation in his name to Maple Ridge Arts Centre & Theatre. Proceeds go to maintaining the facilities and promoting arts and culture in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Info: theactmapleridge.org —EG

For your tightly wound stepmother

What: Vinoterapia, Egyptian-themed Nefér Spa’s signature service Why: A luxurious soak in a tub of red wine, essential oils, moisturizers, and anti-aging minerals will soothe her jangled nerves and make her feel like a queen. (With any luck, she’ll get tipsy through osmosis.) Where to find it: Nefér Spa (571 Cardero St.), neferspa.com Altruistic alternative: If the family holiday dinner usually turns into a bacchanalian affair, consider the less fortunate and make a donation in her name to the Vancouver Food Bank. Info: foodbank.bc.ca —Erica Gehrke

For your spoiled eight-year-old daughter who asked Santa for an iPhone

What: If the World Were a Village DVD Why: This animated version of the award-winning book by David J. Smith gives a lighthearted and beautifully presented peek into the realities of the six billion-plus human beings on the planet—and puts things in perspective for spoiled brats of any age. Where to find it: amazon.ca. Altruistic alternative: Let her see how rewarding playing in the dirt can be by signing her up as a volunteer with Environmental Youth Alliance, where she’ll spend her time planting and maintaining community gardens instead of updating her Twitter profile.Info:eya.ca —SM