Editor's note...

Yes, the holidays are upon us, but here at SSF, we don't want to discourage you from buying gifts or avoiding consumption. We prefer to concentrate on doing more good rather than less bad; as we are fond of saying, "the world is full of possibilities to look fabulous, live well and do good," and that goes for the holidays as well. No one should have to avoid buying gifts for people they care about, especially if your gifts are good for you, the planet, and the people who made them. Here are a couple of sustainable gift ideas:

• Go out for a night on the town with tickets to a concert, play or sporting event. We even have some free tickets for you...more info below
• Buy carbon credits to offset the holiday travel for you, your family and friends at sites like NativeEnergy
• Support SSF or another favorite charity or non-profit with a gift in the name of your giftee
• Wrap your gifts in reusable materials like gift bags, or go thematic, like using a kitchen towel for culinary gifts
• Buy it local! You know Mom & Dad love Seattle's smoked salmon, so avoid shipping and pick it up at Pike Place instead.

Puget Sound International Gift Giver's Guide Brought to us by the Trade Development Alliance of Seattle, this holiday gift guide catalogs local vendors, retailers and locations where products made in Washington State can be purchased for gift giving, from Applets & Cottlets to the Washington Wine Commission.

natural selections...looking fabulous, living well

• American Apparel | Sweatshop free and 100% organic cotton gear from one of our favorite vertically-integrated manufacturers. If you've purchased something from them in the past year, you probably received a coupon good for 15% off anything you buy, but only through December 4, so hurry! | 4345 University Way NE | 206.547.0399
• Anthousa Home Ambiance | Air fresheners using bamboo sticks to diffuse cheerful holiday scents throughout your house. The idea is based on a trick used by restaurants in Italy: putting sticks of spaghetti into wine bottles filled with olive oil and fragrant spices, and is much better than those silly plug-in air fresheners. | Available at Barneys New York, 1420 Fifth Ave | 206.622.6300
• 1 Earth 1 Design | Tons of sustainable gift ideas, from Baby Care, Bath and Books to Kitchens to Yoga. Plus lots of tips on how to decorate and design with a sustainable twist. | 206.418.8120 or 1.888.270.7005

quick picks...doing good

• Seattle Post-Intelligencer at Home | Lots of local resources for a variety of holiday-related goings on; energy conservation, green holiday decorating, and recommendations on keeping your home healthy and relaxing throughout the season
• Molbaks | Information on everything gardening, including living Christmas trees (here's a handy PDF with more info), with two weekend seminars later this month. | 13625 NE 175th St. Woodinville | 425.483.5000 or 1.866.466.5225
• Made in Washington | Artisan gifts with true Northwest flavor, including gift baskets, art, jewerly and wine, just to name a few. They want to help us all celebrate the best Washington state has to offer with interesting, unique and authentic Washington products | Two locations downtown: Westlake Center & Pike Place Market | 206.547.3100

on the horizon...local sustainable style

• Holiday Alternative Gift Market | December 1 | The Alternative Gift Market is a collaboration between the Center for Creative Change and Alternative Gifts International, an organization that selects and raises funds on behalf of reputable organizations engaged in international relief and development. Learn about and support sustainable development and relief projects from around the globe and take care of holiday shopping by making tax-deductible charitable donations on behalf of loved ones, friends and colleagues. | Antioch campus, room 100 | 206.268.4712
• Restoration Comedy | December 3, 4 & 6 at 7:30 pm | A special invitation to supporters & friends of SSF: two complimentary tickets await you for the preview performance of the Seattle Repertory Theatre's production. It's our way of saying Happy Holidays! Directed by Amy Freed, Restoration Comedy is a world premiere, adapted hilariously from two 17th century London comedies. The production is filled with fabulous costumes, outrageous wigs, and saucy, sexy characters. To RSVP, email with your name and date you'd like to attend.
• Holiday Shopping Spree | December 4 | Hosted by local artist Jamie Thorn, this is your opportunity to find exquisitely unique gifts by Seattle artists and designers. Featuring Ann Henning, handmade recycled art for the home; Earthly Delights, bath & body products; Glam Garb, vintage hand dyed cami slips; Mushu Treasures, cigar box purses and more, Tarah Prater Designs, handmade sterling and beaded jewelry; and Jamie Thorn, classic beaded jewels & glassware accessories | 1911 12th Ave S |
• Molbaks Living Christmas Tree Seminars | December 10 & 11 | Learn all the tips and tricks for buying and caring for a living Christmas tree. It'll feel like Christmas, all year 'round!
• People for Puget Sound Holiday Open House and Book Signing | December 15 | Local author Jim Lynch will read from his first novel, The Highest Tide. A love letter to Puget Sound, this best-seller tells the tale of a teenage boy who discovers a giant squid while exploring Puget Sound's waters during a summer that will change his life and the lives around him. Lynch says the novel is a by-product of his lifelong fascination with Puget Sound. | 911 Western Ave Ste 580 | 206.382.7007
• KEXP's 3rd Annual Yule Benefit | December 16 & 17 | KEXP favorites The Wrens and Okkervil River will be the featured bands both nights at Neumo's, with a stellar line-up of bands opening each night. This annual event is a fundraiser for KEXP, and also features Pretty Girls Make Graves, The Purrs and The Divorce. | 925 E Pike St | TicketsWest.com

monthly member perks...a little wink and a smile from SSF and our friends at:

• Les Egoistes = 20% discount on initial and closet consultations | 206.324.4851
• Etherea Salon.Spa = 10% discount on all products and services | 2001 1st Ave | 206.441.5511
• m:pulse = 15% discount (mention Seattle Stylesheet) | 3516 Fremont Place | 206.545.4854

As always, if you have a question, comment or suggestion for the next stylesheet, or you'd like to become a stylesheet sponsor, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at or give us a ring at 206.324.4850.