Monday, December 10, 2012
Try one of the thrift or secondhand stores in Prince George's County or other DC neighborhoods for holiday gifts.
Have you ever regifted? You know, taken that unwanted desk adornment you got from your uncle last year and given it to a co-worker. While regifting has traditionally been frowned upon, the economy and environment may be helping shed some of the stigma associated with it. Some see it as a smart way to keep items out of landfills, while others view it as an opportunity to save money. In fact, regifting websites are cropping up all over the place, each with their own spin on the closeted practice. One site has proclaimed Dec. 20 as “National Regifting Day,” another has given prizes for the best regifting story and a third offers a “Gift Giver’s Guide to Gracious Regifting.” Even if you don’t have some unwanted gifts on the top shelf of your…
Friday, November 23, 2012
A primer on sending items to military troops this holiday season.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Ben Gross
-
Friday, November 23, 2012
The holidays can be one of the most difficult times of the years for military personnel serving away from home. With Thanksgiving behind us and the rest of the holiday season ahead, there's still time to send out holiday cheer. The simplest gesture – a call, a card or a gift can make a huge difference in their morale. There are countless organizations that help facilitate the gift giving process, and we’ve put together this guide to help you select a group to help you send something to the troops this holiday season. Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program The Red Cross will accept holiday greetings through Friday, Dec. 7 at the following address: Holiday Mail for Heroes P.O. Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456 The organization …
Sunday, November 11, 2012
How will your finances affect your holiday spending?
Two-thirds of respondents to a recent poll by the NPD Group said they “plan to spend about the same” as last year, while 10 percent planned to “spend more.” With the economy and job situation still in flux for many families, we want to know what families in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County plan to do for Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa gifts in 2012. Will you be more creative with your gifting? Use sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc? Brave Black Friday sales? Cook or bake for familty and friends?
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Support animal care, science and research with these great gift options.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
- Ben Gross
-
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Do some good for yourself, your family and friends and the animal kingdom by doing your holiday shopping at the National Zoo this year. For the kids: Bring home plush versions of Crystal or Cody, the zoo’s gray wolves with these realistic 16” renditions of the popular canines for just $20. Colorful owl or butterfly-themed purses are always in style and sure to be a hit with the girls in your life. Each version features working zippers, an inside pocket and a 10” strap for $22. For the animals: Show your favorite zoo animal how much you care by purchasing one of these great enrichment toys. You can either purchase items on the zoo’s online store, or visit the Enrichment Giving Tree to find out what’s on their wish list and you can drop it…
Sunday, June 17, 2012
We did all the heavy mental lifting so you don't have to!
It's Father's Day, but some folks still have not found that perfect gift—and time is running out. Consider some of these Father’s Day hits. 1. Baseball tickets: Save the date, and buy the man that taught you to throw a ball a couple of tickets to a Nationals game this summer. Make it a trip for just the two of you, or invite the whole family along. When you're there, get him a couple of beers, a couple of hotdogs or some Cracker Jacks. Treat dad to the home-game memories he gave you as a child. 2. iPhone: Apparently there are still people in this world who don't have a smartphone. If your dad has been fiddling with yours, take the hint. He wants an iPhone, and all the little pleasures that come with it: virtual poker, Angry Birds, price …
Monday, February 6, 2012
If you want the relationship to last, you may want to avoid getting these gifts for the one you love.
Valentine's Day can be a day of love and danger. I have sympathy for the hapless guy who doesn't get the danger of the practical gift. She said she really needed an iron, he thinks scratching his head standing on the outside of her locked door. You'll just have to trust me on this one - practical gifts like a coffee maker or blender can be the kiss of death. A new tire for the car isn't such a hot ticket item either. Your Greenbelt editor speaks from personal experience here, ahem. Now there are women who don't take offense at a practical gift. But beware many women are not of this persuasion. The trick is knowing the woman you are with. Among the worst Valentine's Day gifts ever according to Modern Mom are: Come on, does anyone really …
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Looking for that perfect gift for the runner in your life? Get creative with a gift basket.
I love gift baskets. I love receiving them, because the gift goes on for so long as I pick my way through, examining each of the items. But I love giving them as well. I enjoy deciding on the theme months in advance and picking up items throughout the year that will make the basket special. I enjoy finding the last minute perishable items to add just a little sweetness, and I enjoy watching the recipient as they go through the layers of gifts. One of the best parts about giving a themed gift basket is that you can’t possibly go completely wrong. With several items to choose from, at least one will hit the spot. My favorite theme basket this year is for runners. Because of the number of hours I spend inside sports stores throughout the year…
39.013428
-76.921519
REI
9801 Rhode Island Ave, College Park, MD
/articles/a-runner-s-gift-basket
275594
/locations/5906674
Friday, November 25, 2011
Make it yourself and buy local for the holidays.
Once again, the holiday shopping frenzy approaches. This year, avoid crowded parking lots, Black Friday crack-of-dawn queues, and big box retailers hawking cheap goods made in China! Rev. Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping preaches avoidance of overconsumption and consumer debt. But if you don’t feel like giving up giving tokens of affection during the holidays, there are some environmentally lower impact and spiritually more satisfying ways to do so: Make it yourself: While veteran crafters probably have been working steadily since Labor Day, there’s still time to make a few special gifts. Websites and blogs such as Craftzine, Whipup, and the Purl Bee offer tutorials and ideas. The Greenbelt Library has excellent crafting books, such as…
Friday, October 7, 2011
Council wondered if it should strike all gifts, even tickets to expensive receptions.
At its last regular meeting, Greenbelt City Council grappled over whether to strike language in the state ethics ordinance that, if passed, would allow elected city officials and other designated officials to receive gifts. The discussion arose because of new state requirements, drafted largely in response to county corruption. Greenbelt and other municipalities were charged with enacting ethics ordinances that either met with or exceeded state minimums. Council member Rodney Roberts offered a motion to pass an ordinance more stringent than the state's requirements by striking the language allowing gifts. Mayor Judith “J” Davis stated the possibility that those changes might mean council couldn't accept gifts due to blood or marriage, or …
Adelphi Sky
10:23 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
What it boils down to is timing and waste. Either the gift is going to sit in some box for years until it is given away or it will be thrown in the trash or given to goodwill. Save yourself some clutter and just regift. My goodness. more ›