1. BungoBox

Not only do BungoBoxes (reusable, plastic moving boxes) make for an earth-friendly move, renting them is cheaper than buying cardboard. Surprisingly, until now, there really hasn’t been a good alternative to using cardboard. We’ve been using the same environmentally unfriendly materials for the past several hundred years. And, unfortunately only half of the cardboard Americans use actually gets recycled. The rest gets tossed into the garbage. www.bungobox.com

2. Spa Diggity Dog Shampoo

Fido or Fluffy will appreciate this all natural, organic dog shampoo. No chemicals or toxins. www.spadiggitydog.com

3. Organic Groceries

Order from a selection of heirloom produce, grass-fed meats, artisan cheeses and other locally grown foods and have them delivered to your doorstep. www.farmfreshorlando.com

4. Organic Tote

Dandelion Earth-Friendly Goods’ roomy cotton bags some in six different designs with sayings like “EcoChic” or “Green is the New Pink” chemical and pesticide-free bag. They also have toys, rattlers, diapers and toddler-feeding products made of corn-based plastic. www.dandelionforbaby.com

5. Mrs. Jones Soapbox All-Purpose Cleaner

Mrs. Jones’ cleaning products are made of all natural ingredients – many of them food- based. Even the packaging is in reused plastic bottles. www.etsy.com/shop/mrsjonessoapbox

This is a guest post by freelance writer Sarah Sekula. Find out more about her work at www.sarahsekula.com

My family isn’t comprised of Rockefellers, but nobody’s kids are suffering from a lack of toys either.   Also, I need a mild sedative just to get through grocery shopping. Trying to buy every relative, friend and coworker I ever met a present while combating other harried shoppers is my idea of a nightmare.

Even when you know someone well, it’s hard to balance budget and gift appreciation value. Sure my Dad would’ve loved a new compound miter saw, but the deluxe tire repair kit was in my price range. It’s not exactly a tool, but it was bought in the tool department. I have bought many things out of desperation that couldn’t even jokingly be referred to as the “perfect” gift. (crocheted leg warmers, Bugs Bunny Chia Pet, the Epilady) I have seen the look, the contorted smile that supposed to say “look how happy I am” when the recipient is not so much happy, but more disappointed, dismayed, or even repulsed.  I could see it in my Dad’s face when he, a man with a life time AAA membership including roadside service, opened up his gift.

Even if unlike me, you are a superb shopper and capable of bringing a joyous smile to whomever you bestow your gifts upon, where are your loved ones going to put all this stuff you so thoughtfully bought them? If they are like me, they already have closets stacked to the ceiling with boxes of who knows what. Mine have words on them like clothes, toys, and perishables, but that doesn’t really tell me all that much. I recently unpacked one labeled “Important Papers” only to find a bunch of old college notes, a stack of newspaper bridal announcements for people I didn’t recognize, and my dead uncle’s social security card. Let’s face it, if you have had stuff in a closet for ten or so years, and you can’t identify it, you probably don’t really need it.

So in an effort to not to fill the world and my closets with more junk, I have opted not to spend my holidays at the mall. Now I donate the money I would have spent on gifts to charity.  Not only do my friends seem to appreciate this more, but I also get to write it off on my taxes.  Even if you can only give a little, it still makes you look pretty magnanimous.  (I have never seen a gift card that read: “A really crummy donation was made in your name.”)  I am not saying I don’t buy a few things for my kids, but I try to keep in mind that at the first Christmas celebration only three gifts were given, and none of them involved game cartridges.

So, I am asking that you join me. Don’t spend this holiday season in the dollar store looking for items that don’t look like they only cost a buck.  Let’s keep this Christmas green. And rather than wasting your time buying a bunch of unnecessary stuff that’s production is polluting the world and that is quite possibly made not by elves, but underage workers; bake cookies, go caroling, and spend time with your loved ones. After all isn’t that what the holidays are supposed to be about?

(Plus, if we all do it, my mother won’t think I am just being cheap)

Festivities include performances by the Garbage Men, a band that rocks out while going Green with guitars made from cereal boxes, a saxophone crafted from found objects and a drum made from an old garbage can lid. This talented group of teens will enthral guests with their ability to turn trash into musical treasure. The Garbage Men will be playing several sets throughout the day in the guitar exhibit, beginning at 12 p.m.

Also, explore modular housing made with recyclable materials by World Housing Solution plus Segway of Central Florida will be onsite giving live demonstrations for guests. Attendees will learn about the technology of zero-emission transportation, its uses, and how Segways work. Guests can also check out electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf with test rides available all day.

Guest speakers from the Florida Renewable Energy Association, Citizens for Clean Energy, Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida Solar Energy Center, University of Central Florida and OUC – The Reliable One will host presentations throughout the day on topics ranging from the science of climate change to Florida’s energy policies to how to beat the heat in your Florida home. Films with a conservation message like Wild Ocean, Grand Canyon Adventure and The Living Sea will be playing in the Dr. Phillips CineDome all day.

Take a unique journey through the habitats, sights, sounds and social structures of some of the ecosystem’s smallest, yet most important, contributors with Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug World! – a new multisensory experience that immerses visitors into the world of bugs. The exhibit was developed Terminix and features Harry, a Chinese praying mantis, and his insect friends. Explore freestanding habitats such as a cropland, forest, meadow, swamp and even a house to see how insects impact their surroundings, the environment and ultimately human lives.

After encountering insects, you can warm up to worms with the “Worm Lady” in the NatureWorks exhibit. She will be demonstrating vermicomposting, a technique that uses several different species of worms to break down kitchen and garden scraps, cardboard boxes and newspapers. She will address the importance of worms, how they help compost waste and how you can build your own worm box!

During Greenovations, guests can spend quality time with the family during a day of science fun and discovery while they learn how to be kinder to Mother Earth. Thanks to our event sponsors, admission during the event will be $5 for everyone. Tickets include access to all Greenovations activities as well as all the Science Center’s regular exhibits like DinoDigs, Science Park and KidsTown. For more information on Greenovations, please call 407.514.2000 or visit www.osc.org

What: An innovative and sustainable structure from World Housing Solution (WHS) will be a feature of the Orlando Science Center’s Greenovations event, which explores renewable, recyclable and energy-efficient technology. This exhibit encourages people to touch, feel and experience the eco-friendly future of construction.

This hands-on display will showcase a fully built, composite resin shelter and provide visitors with the chance to learn about construction that eliminates trash and debris from building sites by using pre-made, recyclable composite materials, the same technique used to build the International Space Station as well as the latest Boeing airplanes.

Who: WHS wants to make a difference in people’s lives through sustainable housing. Homes created with structural insulated composite panel (SICP) technology are more ecologically friendly and create cost-efficient alternatives to those with frame-built or block construction. The innovative design is the brainchild of famed local architect and WHS VP of Architecture and Design, Kevin Schweizer, and is engineered by Kent Davis, WHS VP of Engineering. The WHS team recently designed the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building in Haiti for an orphanage, and is working with the United States Military to provide portable military housing and international humanitarian aid.

Why: The homes are reusable, easy to assemble and disassemble and are anchored to the ground no matter the soil conditions or terrain. The composite resin (an advanced shatter-proof fiberglass) used to build WHS homes are lightweight, yet strong enough to resist earthquakes up to 7.5 on the Richter Scale and Category 4 hurricanes (155MPH winds).

Where: Orlando Science Center, 777 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803

When: Greenovations, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Admission to Greenovations is only $5 for everyone. Guests get experience all activities, including guest speakers, films, Segway and electric car demonstrations and presentations on how to help erase your carbon footprint. Also, guests can enjoy all the Science Center’s regular exhibits like Science Park, NatureWorks and KidsTown.

Greenovations: Have fun and learn how to be more eco-friendly while exploring renewable energy, recycling and energy efficient technology. Greenovations is presented by OUC – The Reliable One in collaboration with the Science Center with support from the Florida Renewable Energy Association and other community partners.

Info: Please call 407-514-2000 or visit www.osc.org . For more information on World Housing Solution, please visit www.worldhousingsolution.com .