Celebrate the new year/new decade through sustainable gifting

In any decade it is possible to track a change between the beginning and endpoints of that decade with respect to almost any subject you'd like to consider - be it business, spending habits, social behavior or ethics to name but a few. Ever-expanding economic growth ushered the decade in, and the "new normal" is ushering it out. What the "new normal" sometimes looks like is that more value is placed on price than relationship and continuity. It can also look like less drinking at lunch and more scrutiny regarding gifts employees receive from suppliers or others. Oftentimes, the ceiling for such gifts is $50. Admittedly, it can be challenging to find something in that price range that doesn't look "cheesy." Welcome to the convergence of consciousness and shopping. Here are some ideas for giving without taking from the planet!! It's the thought that counts, and sustainable gifts keep on giving. Services instead of goods (require little or no use of natural resources): Massages and/or massage lessons, wellness nutrition cooking lessons or wellness yoga stress-reducing classes. Experiences to enjoy and remember (creating shared memories): Rock-climbing centers, museum memberships, walking tour tickets or register you and a friend for a 5 or 10K race with a cause. "Pre-Owned" (kindest to environment - no energy or resources expended). Although once out of the question, used items can be appropriate as they can have more value than their new counterparts. Items can include gold items, musical instruments and books. Purchases with a cause (eg. hunger, clean water, microloans, energy etc.): TheHungerSite.com, Riverkeeper.org, Kiva.org, FriendsofTrees.org, b-e-f.org or Oxfam.org. Donate (in the name of your gift recipient) to CommunityAccess.org, Special Citizens.org or charity navigator. Happy sustainable giving throughout the year and coming decade! Nadine Cino, LEED AP, is the CEO & co-inventor of Tyga-Box Systems, Inc., New York, N.Y.