For your hyper-caffeinated co-worker
What: Integral Sense Perfume Why: In your eyes, endless chatter at 8:30 am just ain’t sustainable. It’s really time for your wired colleague to move on to some softer stuff, and these sweet-smelling scents will calm her jitters the organic way. Where to find it: Whole Foods Market (925 Main St., West Vancouver), integralsense.com Altruistic alternative: Even if she smells like roses, your cubicle mate might not kick the java habit. Help her improve the lives of coffee-producing families by making a charitable donation to Coffee Kids. Info: coffeekids.org. —Jennifer Croll
For the snooty trust-fund baby
from West Van
What: Hope in Shadows calendar from Pivot Legal Society Why: Show her in vivid detail the authentic beauty and challenging hardships of the Downtown Eastside as portrayed evocatively by the neighbourhood’s resident photographers. She might be so surprised she’ll spare you the details of her most recent trip to a five-star luxury rehab in California. Where to find it: Book Warehouse (bookwarehouse.ca) plus many more retailers. Altruistic alternative: Buy her carbon offsets from the Vancouver Renewable Energy Coop so she doesn’t have to stress about the emissions from her vintage Mercedes polluting the air on her way to power yoga. Details: vanrenewable.org. —Stephanie MacDonald
For your brother’s new surgically
enhanced girlfriend
What: Mojave’s new album, Stories Why: This awesome local music duo’s latest effort—which combines rock and classical—is greening the music scene. Available only from digital retailers, it does away with all that excessive packaging, and the band even donates a percentage of sales to 1% for the Planet. Maybe this will show your bro’s gal that you don’t need a plastic shell to be cool. Where to find it: mojavemusic.ca Altruistic alternative: If Barbie’s preening is a little over-the-top, try making a donation in her name to Beauty Night, a non-profit that provides esteem-boosting makeovers to disadvantaged women in the Downtown Eastside. See beautynight.org. —JC
For the hostess with the most-est
What: Square One Organic Vodka Why: Made with premium American rye, this distinctively pure liquor is sure to lift her guests’ spirits while elevating her libations to sophisticated heights. She can serve up her own exclusive “green” martinis and celebrate the fact that she’s boozing sustainably for the planet—if not the liver. Where to find it: At select on-premise and private liquor stores throughout B.C. Altruistic alternative: For $100 you can buy a water tank for an impoverished village in her name and help her serve up the world’s most valued liquid to an entire community. Visit projectconcern.org for details. —SM
For your stoner/socialist 32-year-old son living in the basement
What: The Billionaire Who Wasn’t: How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune Without Anyone Knowing by Conor O’Clery Why: Rekindle both his faith in humanity and his career ambitions—and illustrate how while doing bong hits and griping about the establishment all day is OK, there are real people quietly making a difference in the world (hint, hint). Where to find it: Special-order from your local independent bookstore, or Chapters, chapters.indigo.ca Altruistic alternative: Sign him up for Voluntary Service Overseas (OK, maybe that would be more of a present for you!). Info: vsocanada.org . —SM
For the smokin’ hot mailman
What: Skier’s Delight lotion and a weekend away at Pemberton Valley Vineyard Inn Why: The rich, organic, lavender-scented lotion will soothe hands chapped from delivering thousands of Christmas cards, and a weekend at this tranquil B&B, with a view of the mountains (and of you!) will relieve the stress of too many return-to-senders. (Oh, and he did ring twice.) Where to find it: ucorganic.ca; whistlerwine.com Altruistic alternative: If you’re not quite ready for that big package from Canada Post, transform your passion into a letter-writing campaign to help save B.C.’s endangered mountain caribou. When your stud in blue sees your handiwork, he’ll be wooed by your love for animals. Info: mountaincaribou.org . —JC
For your chilly tempered mother-in-law
What: An Ouno Design recycled fur pillow, bag, or scarf Why: There’s nothing like fur to melt her icy heart, though it might make her look a little too much like Cruella de Vil for comfort. Regardless, you will feel all warm and fuzzy since this fur is cruelty-free. Where to find it: ounodesign.com Altruistic alternative: If you’d rather ensure the safety of our furry friends, adopt a species-at-risk in her name through the Wilderness Committee. Visit wildernesscommittee.org. —JC
For your sexy single girlfriends
What: The Bloom Essentials Best Face Forward Aromatherapy Facial Why: Help all your single BFFs shine with confidence, not greasy skin. No matter what their complexion, this relaxing and rejuvenating treatment is customized for every individual. Bloom Essentials Spa can also take care of the wedding parties that will inevitably result from all this gorgeousness. Where to find it: Bloom Essentials (3-1854 W. First Ave.), bloomessentials.com Altruistic alternative: Give your favourite chicks a donation to protect ducklings (and other wetland wildlife) in B.C. through the British Columbia Waterfowl Society. Info: reifelbirdsanctuary.com. —SM
And for the little ones on your list...
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