ReTRo HouSeWiFe

RETRO-SPECTIVE: CHRISTMAS 2007

 2007 - A Green Christmas?

POP QUIZ!

Are you buying green this Christmas?
 

No way Jose!
Sort Of - Just enough to appease my conscience (Less than 25% of Gifts)
Where humanly possible - about halvsies.
I am a lean, green gift buying machine - 70% and above.

I'm dreaming of a Green Christmas... Will 2007 be the year of the first (really) environmentally friendly Christmas? What does it mean to have a Green Christmas? Is Bing Crosby turning in his grave?

Gaiam’s 12 Days of Christmas Sale! Find the lowest price available on one product a day thru 12.18.07. Coupons cannot be applied to Deals of the Day. Gaiam coupon codes: QHV6 - $25 off orders over $150, AP6P - $10 off $50, AP7H - Free shipping on orders over $100 - all of these coupon codes expire on December 31st.

According to the ULS report, we create 25% more trash around Christmas than at other times of the year! Trash isn't good, because we don't really have a sensible solution for all of the stuff we throw out and it just ends up in a landfill somewhere. Then we take our bulldozers, and dig up some more trees, or grass or whatever to get at the natural resources to make more stuff to throw out.

'Tis the season to practice folly! Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas! It has just gotten a little bit out of control, that's all, and it would do us good to re-think our priorities.

But what about the fact that many people depend on the Christmas shopping season for most of their revenues? 'Twill be nary a merry Christmas for those folks if we forsake our annual shopping spree! Our economy and way of life is dependent on growth, and while many bemoan the ever-expanding capitalist monster that is us, nobody would much like the effect if that monster sickened and died.

Perhaps, just perhaps, there is a solution that involves neither a doomsday scenario, nor the entire US population fashioning dolls and stuffed animals out of old socks.

You know, something stemming from what they used to call "common sense".

Survey of Eco Friendly Christmas Gifts, Christmas Decorations and Gift Wrap!

Reusable Gift Wrap - Furoshiki is Made Of Silk.

Made from supple, easily tied Dupioni silk, the three color-coordinated furoshiki wraps enclose presents with exceptional grace-and then find use as scarves or elegant table decor, among many wearable and decorative options. The versatile 27" x 27" square wraps packages up to 8"L x 8"W x 8"H. The oversized 54" x 54" square, wraps items up to 15"L x 15"W x 15"H.

Christmas Decorations for Home

Here are some of the most popular Christmas decorations for 2007 according to the folks at Collectibles Today: From Left to Right Below:  1) Thomas Kinkade Christmas Express Electric Train Collection 2) Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Christmas Town Village Collection 3) Thomas Kinkade's Collectible Village Christmas Collection: (If you want to look at a big picture, or buy them, I made each picture clickable!)

RETRO HOUSEWIFE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE! 

Montgomery Ward “Top 10 Hottest Selling Items” for Christmas

1. Cobra DVC 900 Digital Camera/Camcorder - The very affordable Cobra pocket-sized digital video camcorder/still camera fits a lot in a little package.  (2007 Price:  $69.99) (SKU# DVC900C)
2. Cobra GPSM2100 GPS Mobile Navigation System - Featires a 3.5" high resolution touch screen (320 x 240 pixels). Real time traffic ready. (2007 Price:  $399.99) (SKU# GPSM2100FP)
3. Panasonic SC-PT1050 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System - The surround speakers and subwoofer are all wireless, meaning you can quickly mount them without worrying about running wire. (2007 Price:  $749.99)
4. Coby Mini MP3/Video Player with Stereo Speakers - Sleek design plays music and video plus displays photos and text on a 1.5" CSTN full-color display. (2007 Price:  $99.99) (SKU# MPC7097DL)
5. VTech 5.8 GHz Cordless 3 Handset System - Enhanced 5.8 GHz technology. Three handset system includes 3 handsets and requires only one phone jack (only one handset can be in use at a time). (2007 Price:  $109.99) (SKU# IA5878IM)
6. Mirus Innovations Notebook Computer - Mobilize your business or home with these lightweight, high-powered notebook computers. (2007 Price:  starting at $1299.99) (SKU# POPL51C430MK)
7. Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder - Brilliant optical quality is part of every Canon broadcast TV lens, 35mm film camera, digital camera and camcorder and the ZR850 is no exception. (2007 Price:  $399.99) (SKU# 1878B001DL)
8. Coby Micro CD Player Stereo System - The Coby CX-CD377 is affordable and fun. It combines a vertical-loading CD player and an analog AM/FM stereo tuner with rotary tuning and digital readout. (2007 Price:  $59.99) (SKU# CXCD377BLKDL)
9. Leg Magic - Glide to a slimmer new you with Leg Magic using one simple motion. (2007 Price:  $149.99) (SKU# 177004BFQ)
10. Pilate's Power Gym - The Power Gym combines Pilate's and traditional strength training in one easy-to-use machine with over 60 body-shaping, muscle-toning movements. (2007 Price:  $299.99) (SKU# 181501FQ)

Planet Earth/Blue Planet - Special Collector's DVD Set Featured on Oprah's Favorite Things for 2007. Seas of Life Special Collector's DVD Set for only $99.95. This product was also featured on Oprah's Favorite Things of 2007! Blue Planet: Seas of Life won two Emmy Awards®, for cinematography and score. 19 complete episodes.

I am calling Digital Picture Frames as the Christmas present of 2007 - (excluding Christmas gifts for kids...)
I think they will turn out to be the most popular Christmas present of 2007! 
The digital picture frames shown here: 1) Philips 10.2-Inch Digital Photo Frame  $279.95 at the Sharper Image, 2) Philips 7-Inch Digital Photo Frame  $179.95 at the Sharper Image, 3)(left) Quantaray 5.6-inch Digital Frame Regularly $69.99 at Ritz Camera, 4) (right) Matsunichi 5.6" Black Digital Picture Frame with Rotate, Zoom & Swivel Modes Regularly $59.99 at Ritz Camera.

2007 - THE YEAR OF THE BOTS!

Apple's iPods, a big hit during Christmas 2006, are still very popular Christmas gifts in 2007. Shown below are 4 different colors from the iPod shuffle series: blue, green, purple and silver.  These iPod Shuffles cost $73.98 at OnSale.com

What The Kiddies'll Want For Christmas!

1. Electronic Handheld 20 Questions Game View
2. Discovery Radio Control Wicked Airplane View
3. Virtual Distance Football View

Are you in the Christmas Spirit yet? This is a living wreath, composed of a variety of succulents...It only needs to be watered every 6-8 weeks. I don't know how it would do if you sprayed it with fake snow...

Green Gifts

Organic Style is a boutique shopping experience that balances your personal sense of style with our shared concern for the well being of people and the planet.

Gaiam has great products - I outfitted our entire household with their Organic Cotton Sateen Sheets (here's my review of the organic cotton sheets) and they have lot of other wonderful things which are made using green production techniques or help you, the consumer be green!

Nordstrom Organic Shop - Thought you'd never see the day! Your favorite apparel & bedding, only greener. Organic cotton is environmentally conscious, grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. "Enjoy great style from brands with an eye on sustainability. Shop Nordstrom Organic Style." say the marketing gurus at Nordy's.

Pure Bamboo Fiber Sheets - are pesticide free, and have a soft, silky finish.

Simple Bags (From the people who brought you Ugg of Australia) Simple's Bags feature sustainable materials like recycled plastic bottles, jute, and organic cotton.

Sahalie is a cute store selling "Fun Outdoor Clothing for Women and Men." Sahalie is also Committed To The Environment and encourages all to "Go Green" They have a big "green" Christmas gift section too!



Root Basket of Organic Fruit

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Selling like Hot Cakes at HomeVisions.com
Silver-Plate Basket Trio

 Digital Camcorders are popular gifts. (Shown: Canon Mini DV Widescreen)

Microsoft XBOX 360 Ultimate Bundle

Romantic Gifts

Like this "Eternity Personalized Double Band Diamond Ring"