The Green Pages: 12 Green Days of Christmas

Thursday, December 16, 2010

12 Green Days of Christmas - Day 9: Gifts of Education

Tonight we drove past Toys 'R Us. The parking lot was filled to the brim. I have been in Toys R Us before, although I avoid it like the plague. Most of the items are plastic junk shipped from overseas to be played with for a few months (maximum), then broken or disregarded. To me the plastic junk is a waste of money, natural resources and our children's brains.

What gifts are not a waste of money, resources and brainpower? For many, this conundrum is never resolved, but rather a few days before Christmas a gift card is purchased placing the burden of junk buying on the recipient instead. Today on this the ninth day of our Green Christmas series I give you some ideas for meaningful gifts that come without finger splicing plastic wrap, which don't require 15 AA batteries and which will last all year, if not for a lifetime...gifts of education.

For the younger crowd:

Online Story Telling Service:
One More Story

What child doesn't like a story read to them? Each night at our household there is a debate as to how many books we can realistically read. I LOVE One More Story because professional story tellers read the books for you. The bookshelf has grown over the years and now includes several pages of wonderfully illustrated books. For those learning to read, subtitles can be activated and the words turn red while being read. I sometimes find myself just as engrossed in the stories as my children.

One Year Subscription...$44.00
Six Month Subscription...$27.00
Three Month Subscription...$15.00

Magazine Subscriptions:

My children love the adventures of Ranger Rick and the cut-out pocket books in most issues. The series grows with the children as they mature. Produced by the National Wildlife Foundation, these magazines are great to have in the car, the church bag or laying around the house. With amazing photography and interesting animal facts, the kids are entertained and educated. We look forward to these magazines arrival each month in the mail.

In publication since 1967!
10 issues per year
Stunning photography
Exciting adventures
Activities & educational content
No advertising
All profits support National Wildlife Federation

And just $19.95 - What a perfect gift!

For the Older Crowd:

Ever wish you could go back to school and take a class, but without the homework and exams? Would you choose a class on astronomy, ecology, English literature, Buddhism, the Civil War?

Or are you planning a trip to China, Egypt, Europe and wish you understood the history and religion of the region?

My 92 year old grandmother recently told me the other day that she wishes she could know what calculus is all about.

Anyone who has the desire to learn, will enjoy The Great Courses. Some of the nations best teachers are video and audio taped while teaching customer chosen courses. Each course goes on sale at some point throughout the year, so you never have to pay full price. And most courses work well as audio presentations - browse through the course reviews which tend to be thorough and informative.

Some of the current titles on sale: