organic or earth friendly for the holidays. Especially if Disney Princess's are the only thing your three year old wants.

However,  it is nice to know that there are other options in the world beyond patchouli oil and handmade soap.... even if we do like handmade soap.

Here is my top ten list of some of the best 'Green" sites, including a few favorite items, for the anytime season.

1- Earthchef: Selling everything from cookware to knife blocks, Earthware is a great earth-friendly product line for the kitchen. They use 100% natural and safe non-stick ceramic coating on their pans, sustainable and cost effective use of bamboo, recycled packaging and reduction in the use of synthetic materials.

Favorite item: Professional Bamboo Chop Block - 2217610

2- Putomayo World Music: Putomayo supports over 38 different non-profit organizations, making a huge effort to help out where the majority of the music comes from. They even have a "feel good guarantee" meaning if you don't like an album, you get a full refund.  I probably have about 20 of their diverse C.D''s, and I have yet to listen to one I didn't like.

Favorite item: France (Track highlight: Carla Bruni - Raphael) and Music from the Coffee Lands (Track highlight: Kothbiro - Ayub Ogada)

3- Fair Trade Coffee: There are so many independent fair trade coffee shops. As a serious coffee lover, I know how easy it is to get into a routine going to the same coffee shop time and time again. Why not venture out into your community and pick up a gift card to one of the independent fair trade shops? If anything, you are introducing your senses to new experiences and you may just find a new spot!.

If your in the Vancouver area,  Vancouver Indy coffee scene is a great blog about local fair trade coffee hot spots. If your not, why not try Ethical Bean

Favorite item: Ethiopian medium roast

4- Pangea Organics: More than just good for your body (and their products are wonderful!),  Pangea Organics support sustainable agriculture and culture. Their company stands firmly behind fair trade sourcing, organic farming, living wages and the use of renewable, recycled and recyclable resources.

Favorite Item: The handmade soap of course!

 

5- Momiji Dolls: Hardly for children, these wonderful decorative little Japanese dolls, are not only made from wood, but they are hand carved and painted, much like their ancestors the Kokeshi folk art dolls that were made of spare wood by Japanese farmers, these little sweeties will quickly become an obsession.

Favorite item: there are sooooo many to choose from...

PS -If you turn them upside down, you can hide secret messages inside them.

6- Raspberry Kids: Their tag line - Fresh, Healthy, Fun doesn't even begin to describe the great products on this site. I could browse for hours...

Favorite Item: Chloe Party Dress

7- Coyuchi: You cannot feel one bit of guilt lying in organic and fair-trade certified cotton bed sheets...even if the kids are yelling on the other side of the door. The site is beautiful and the products are surprisingly affordable - check out the store locator for some great links to other retailers.

Favorite Item: There is nothing like a pair of Voile pajamas you can curl up and read a book in ...

8- Figs and Ginger: A small chic 'green buisness' whose goal is to develop into full on Eco-Friendly Family Business. This husband and wife team make every piece by hand in their back yard studio.

Favorite Item: Nesting Necklace... My husband has yet to buy this for me...

9- Ten Thousand Villages: A commited non-profit organization that is designed to benefit artizans. They have a wonderful selection of products that range from childrens toys, textiles, instruments - okay, they have almost everything.

Favorite Item: White Crackle Bowl

10- Better World Books: Now here is a great idea. Not only does Better World Books sell new titles, but they also collect used books, and resell them online in an effort to fund worldwide literary initiatives.Next time you feel like looking through Amazon.com, try here first - you'll be making a difference.

Favorite item: ...books of course! Here is one of my all time favorite reads - for $3.98!