Items tagged with 'giving'
Great local gifts for Valentine's Day
Like those Necco conversation hearts -- but better.
Valentine's Day is nearly here! This means candy, lots of pink and red things, frivolous and sometimes-almost-too adorable paper goods, dinner reservations, flowers and all manner of stuffed animals propped in store windows. Oh... and, you know, letting the people in your life know that you love them.
After all the fuss of the biggest winter holidays has died down, Valentine's Day is a funny little break from the every-day. It's a little bit of warmth in the otherwise totally freezing, month of February.
Lots of Capital Region shops have their share of hearts and flowers but here are four of my favorite local ways to do something special for Valentine's Day.
What are your favorites?
Hearts for Haiti
Victoria Van Der Laan, the local artisan who sells on Etsy as ex libris handmade, has organized an Etsy shop called Hearts for Haiti. The shop has been up for just a week -- and its page reports that it's already raised more than $8500.
Wrote Victoria on her blog:
... Having no money to donate I was feeling helpless and desperate to do my part. Somehow I ended up on the Etsy forums and it struck me that a charitable shop should be organized to help the people of Haiti in some way.
So I started a forum thread. The response was immediate and incredibly inspiring. So many amazing people stepped up to help in all of the many ways that were needed. Throngs of Etsy sellers offered up amazing items. I got swept up in all of the camaraderie and the amazing spirit of charity and before I knew it I was well on my way to opening a shop!
As of this afternoon, the shop had more than 650 items for sale -- all donated by other Etsy artisans. The proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders.
(Thanks, Leah!)
Earlier on AOA: ex libris handmade was featured in the holiday gift guide
James Taylor benefit concert at the Mahaiwe
James Taylor has added a second Haiti benefit concert at the The Mahaiwe (the first one sold out in 90 minutes Tuesday morning). The second show will be January 23 at 8pm. Tickets start at $100. They go on sale at 9am Wednesday morning at the theater and via its web site.
That sold-out first show raised $150k for the org Partners in Health -- and Taylor then matched it with another $150k of his own. The proceeds from this second show will also benefit the same org.
The Mahaiwe is in Great Barrington, MA, which is about an hour drive from Albany.
Toy donations?
Chuck emailed this morning about trying to find a place to donate gently used toys:
As the only child, and worse, the only grandchild, our now 7 year old has several (clean) garbage bags and RubberMaid storage bins full of (also clean) plush toys, and other assorted kid paraphernalia. An embarrassing amount for one child actually. We'd love to see that these go to other kids as they are all in great condition, but it seems toy donations always need to be new toys.
I'm tempted to just leave them on some church steps or push them into one of those used clothing bins, but I'd rather like to see that they go to the right place.
Can you help!
Anyone have ideas?
Local holiday gift guide round-up
The Peppermint Pigs from Saratoga Sweets are still one of our favorite holiday gifts.
If you haven't finished (or -- you know -- started) your holiday shopping yet, there's a good chance you're getting a little... what's the word we're looking for? Panicky?
No worries. We've had the AOA elves out compiling a list of local holiday gifts that are fun to give and pretty easy to get.
Check out the full list after the jump. And by all means, if you have a good last-minute gift in mind that you'd like to add, pass it on.
Happy shopping.
Holiday gift guide: Candy!!!
Candy!
If you've been waiting to find the perfect little extra gift, or you're just looking for something nice for someone you know so well, today's gift idea might be just the ticket.
Because let's face it: locally made candy might very well be the best thing since --- well, itself.
Here are a few of my favorite local candy shops and some of their most popular holiday treats:
Holiday gift guide: children's museum memberships
Nothing says happy holidays like exploring earthworms.
Maybe you know some kids that seem to have more stuff than they know what to do with. You want to get them a gift but you don't know what they have, you don't know what they need, and you don't know what the hot new toy is.
Today's holiday gift guide suggestion is something kids can appreciate in December, or in June (and that parents won't have to clean up).
Holiday gift guide: local history
Your Capital Region history questions, answered.
Maybe it's just our inner geek, but we love knowing the back-story about the place we live.
Learning who stayed in that old hotel back in the day, what ghost haunts the music hall or the correct pronunciation of Kosciusko just kinda makes our day in a weird little way.
Today's local holiday gift guide suggestion celebrates exactly that type of local history geekdom.
Holiday gift guide: Rolf's
Smokey holiday goodness.
On the 4th day of the gift guide AOA gives to you:
The gift of meat.
Holiday gift guide: museum shops
From the gift shop at the Albany Institute.
Sometimes, in order to find just the right "what" you've got to find the right "where."
Some of the most overlooked "best places for gift shopping" in the Capital Region aren't in the malls -- they're in the museums. Best part -- you're supporting the museum while you shop.
Here are some local museums with lovely gift shops and a few of the gifts you can find there.
Holiday gift guide: bags at The Paper Sparrow
They're our bag, baby. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)
We were Victorian Strolling through Troy last weekend when we popped into The Paper Sparrow to see what new home made goodies Kate had added to her collection.
What we saw on the wall had us digging for our wallets.
Holiday Gift Guide: Spectrum passes
Just add popcorn (with real butter).
'Tis the season and all that, so chances are you're doing a little holiday shopping.
If you're looking for something cool and you want to shop local, the AOA elves have pulled together a few fun holiday gifts that come from right here in the Capital Region.
Day 1: the gift of film
Donating locally for the holidays
The holiday season is a time when many people are thinking about giving back.
There are lots of wonderful organizations and worthy causes in the Capital Region, and it can be tough to know where to start. We've put together a list of a few local charities that do some very good work, with details on what they need, what not to send and how you can help.
We're sure you know of some others, so please, add your favorites to the list.
Where to volunteer during the holidays?
Maybe you have something to offer a local non-profit.
Updated: Jess provided a little more detail in a comment.
Tweeted Jess this morning:
Looking for ideas of where to volunteer on Christmas. Wondering if any readers might have some tips.
Okay, so here's the deal: I'm kinda trying to get out of Christmas. Yes folks, I'm just not that into Christmas - not in a Scrooge way, more like Charlie Brown in the "Peanuts" holiday special way.
My brother will away this year and I'd really like to find some sort of other meaningful activity for my parents and I to engage in on the 25th.
A handful of people have asked us this question in some form recently, so we'll expand this a bit: know of a good place to volunteer during the holidays?
Our suggestion: the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Demand at food pantries in the Capital Region is up -- and it looks like the Regional Food Bank has a bunch of volunteer slots open over the next month.
As it happens, this question came up around this time last year, too.
photo: Flickr user Hamed Saber
Help others rest easy
If you're looking to clear some extra room in your linen closet, here's a good cause you might be able to help out. The Equinox Domestic Violence Shelter is holding its "Sweet Dreams" drive right now. From a shelter press release:
The public is encouraged to make donations of new or gently used nighttime items such as twin sheets and blankets, pajamas, robes and slippers to be donated to the women and children who reside at Equinox safe houses.
The items can be dropped off at Equinox headquarters at 95 Central Avenue in Albany. You can get more info by calling 434-6135.
PrimaLoft, which is a division of Albany International, is helping with the drive. It donated hundreds of pillows (the photo on the right) earlier this month.
Squash Hunger
Here's a good way to put that bumper crop of zucchini to good to use. The Capital District Community Gardens has started up its annual Squash Hunger program:
The seasonal effort, underway through October, collects produce donated by gardeners, farmers, CSA (community supported agriculture) members and shoppers at drop-off locations throughout the Capital District and distributes the fresh food to local missions, shelters and food pantries.
Chrisck pointed out this program to us. She adds that you can help out even if you're not a gardener:
... because the drop-offs are at grocery stores and farmers markets and folks can purchase some extra vegetables when they do their own shopping. Before I had a community garden, I would buy an extra cabbage or sturdy vegetable at the Honest Weight to put in the box. My other tip is that people should note when the pick-up times are and schedule their donations so their veggies can get to people as fresh as possible.
Pick-up locations and hours are posted after the jump.
This is the 6th year for Squash Hunger. CDCG figures the program's brought in about 50,000 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies.
The Albany Society for Advancement of Philanthropy
It's all about giving back.
Speedo-clad Santas and festivals of meat don't exactly conjure up typical philanthropic ventures. Then again, the members Albany Society for Advancement of Philanthropy aren't exactly your typical philanthropists.
Gifts that say Albany -- literally
When you visit NYC, you can't throw a snow globe without hitting a Big Apple themed gift. Hats, shirts, mugs stickers, ties, postcards. But if you have friends or relatives visiting the Capital Region, have you noticed that it's nearly impossible to find the same kind of things with an Albany theme? It's the capital city, but can you find an "I heart The Egg" bumper sticker, or an "I got my tan in Albany" t-shirt? Noooooo.
Well, if you're just busting to show your A-Town pride you might find an outlet at CafePress.
AOA's holiday gift guide
These little piggies are on the AOA holiday gift guide.
OK gang, we're down to the wire on this whole holiday shopping thing. It is officially the time of year when those who haven't finished shopping (or started) might begin to panic.
No need.
We're kind of big on thoughtful gifts here at AOA, so in case you still haven't been able to think of the right gift for someone on your list, we've been compiling a list for you. If you've missed them, after the jump you'll find a list of local gifts we think would be fun to give (or get).
Got some fun favorites that aren't on the list? Help an elf out and post your suggestions.
Don't Bogart the Egg Nog
Just in time for Christmas, The Rev Records has released a holiday album. The Silver Screams Don't Bogart the Eggnog is a collection of original holiday music recorded by A-Town's Bryan Hamill.
From the website:
Hamill turns his lens on the holiday season, tackling such subjects as pets,knitting, and pastries, all in his signature hodge-podgey bedroom pop style.
You can download an mp3 for 5 bucks or email one as a gift.
Pendant necklaces from Elissa Halloran Designs
A plethora of pendants.
What?
Pendant necklaces from Elissa Halloran.
The Frankencake at Cheesecake Machismo
Mmmmm. Frankencake.
Why settle for one flavor of cheesecake when you could have six? Or more!
If you're headed to a holiday party this season and don't know what to bring, here's the perfect idea: A Frankencake from Cheesecake Machismo.
Albany Art Room Gift Certificates
Gift certificates to the Albany Art Room AND permission to get dirty? Yay!!!
What?
Gift Certificates to the Albany Art Room. Think about it-- the kids are going to be off for a whole week, it's cold out, and the the time it takes to go from infatuation with new toys to stir crazy is shorter than you think. A few hours at the Albany Art Room could be a lot of fun for kids and a great break for parents.
Belgian beer from Brewery Ommegang
Not just beer -- Ommegang beer.
On day five of AOA's holiday gift guide -- a little holiday cheer.
What?
The 2008 gift pack from Cooperstown's Brewery Ommegang: three 750 ml bottles (one Hennepin, one Three Philosophers and one Chocolate Indulgence Stout), plus a special Ommegang glass.
Holiday treats for furry friends
Yes, they look yummy, but hands off! They're for the dog (or cat).
On day three of AOA's holiday gift guide -- a little something for man's best friend.
What?
A selection of baked pet treats from Sherry's Kitchen.
... said charley about 10 for Schenectady