Have Yourself an Organic Little Holiday

Natural Ideas for a Healthful Season of Giving

By Jacqueline M. Duda

Can you feel it? The holiday cheer, the impending rush, the urgent need to find the most unique present for that special someone? Shopping organic only heightens the mood and sometimes the frustration level of those searching for something extraordinary and natural.

You're not alone. Sixty-six percent of U.S. consumers use organic products at least occasionally, according to Organic Food & Beverage Trends 2004: Lifestyles, Language and Category Adoption. Stores nationwide are widening selections to meet the ever-growing demand.

So is shopping organic this holiday season doable? You bet!

Nell Newman, cofounder and president of Newman's Own Organics, suggests putting together a personalized gift basket. A thoughtful culinary collection will impress any "foodie." Body care packages with organic products and a loofa are perfect for pampering. "You can do the same for kids, create a unique basket tailor-made to their interests," she says.

A beverage aficionado will appreciate an offering of specialty teas and coffees. Newman's Own Organics offers organic fair trade coffee through Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, which also provides an online catalog.

And don't forget to include a good book. Newman's Own Organics Guide to a Good Life: Simple Pleasures That Benefit You and the Way You Live (www.newmansownorganics.com), is a handy tool for navigating the organic world.

Holly Givens, communications director for the Organic Trade Association (www.ota.com), favors the gift basket idea as well. "Citrus and apples are great this time of year," she says, adding that sending fruit to faraway relatives has been a long-held holiday tradition in her family.

Want to see more?

• Certified Organic: What the USDA Standards Mean to Consumers
• Fresh Picked: Organic Produce Packs a Nutritious Punch
• Vegetarians: Rising to the Holiday Challenge
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!