I have had so much fun writing for you this year, I wanted to get you a little something. It’s not much. Just a couple of podcasts I think you’ll really like. (It’s hard to send anything really big through the Internet.) So here you go, I hope you’ll love them as much as I do.

• The Bugle – a satirical news show featuring John Oliver of the Daily Show with his friend Andy Zaltzman. Andy operates from the U.K., which adds a nice international flair to the weekly podcast. They have me in stitches on a regular basis. I hope you’ll join us. There’s also a blog.
• Risk! – a collection of truth-telling that will make you laugh, snort, gasp and/or cry, depending on the people you know and how you normally spend your time. Kevin Allison, who I know of from The State, is in charge of this operation and narrates the podcast. I became a fan quickly.

That’s it! They are both free (at this time) on iTunes, so download to your heart’s content and donate to the creators if you love them. I hope they make you smile. Happy holidays!

Back in college, I would rush to the bank at Dupont Circle to cash out my last paycheck before Christmas, then take the Metro to the Pentagon City Mall just outside of Washington, D.C.

I did no shopping before or after. If what my family/friends wanted for Christmas wasn’t at that mall, they didn’t get it. I left the mall in a cab piled high with shopping bags, feeling like a queen for a day, and wrapped presents like Mrs. Claus all night long. It was majestic, spendiferous, luxurious and FUN!

Now, I start shopping around January. I stash presents away, hoping I’ll be able to find them at Christmas time. There is little of the merry hustle and bustle that was found at the mall in those last days before Christmas. It’s more of a mad panic in my basement, or tracking packages online, or yelling at the UPS operator on my phone.

I have to say I do miss the mad dash at the last minute. I had less to spend, and my presents weren’t always spot-on or even appropriate. But I definitely had a lot more fun shopping back in those days. And I felt a big rush of the Christmas spirit.

Maybe I won’t start shopping until at least Halloween next year. That’s when the X-mas decorations start going up, right?

Footnote: http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/2008/12/have-you-ever-gotten-your-paycheck-in.html

If you live in DC and are looking for green living resources, I’ve got a great place for you!

Eco-Green Living is jam-packed with resources for building and living green, especially if you are looking for ways to renovate your home. Stroll around downstairs and you’ll see natural paints and carpets, light bulbs, mattresses, even gifts and natural shampoos. But you’ll also notice there are samples of recycled tire flooring and maybe a few long boxes of bamboo flooring. This is just a hint.

Go on upstairs – you’ll find every color in the rainbow in sustainable countertops, flooring and tiles. Plus tankless hot water, eco-insulation, skylights and more.

These folks just keep taking in what they find to make it available for you, plus they have connections for installation services. It is really awesome to see how MUCH you can do, how many CHOICES you have while keeping green. Check it out.

Eco-Green Living is located a short walk from either the McPherson Square or U Street/Cardoza Metro stations, on Church Street between 14th & 15th Streets, one block over from the P Street Whole Foods.

http://eco-greenliving.com

Not too psyched on re-using last year’s wrapping paper, or wrapping your gifts in the Comics?

The Japanese tradition of Furoshiki lets you make a gift out of your gift wrap, by wrapping your gift in a decorative scarf or other material. It sounds as tricky as Origami, but just as beautiful.

Plus, your recipient can re-gift the wrap as a scarf or wrap when they’re done unwrapping.

See some basic wrap techniques here:
Furoshiki.com

I’ve been talking to friends about going green. Some things seem too overwhelming: the supplies are hard to find, there’s no use converting my rental unit, or why sell a perfectly good car that I never drive anyway – plus, it’s paid for! Other ideas are simple to adopt, and we adopt them.

My point is, not every green idea is going to be the one for you. But if you are inclined to think green, start whenever you get the urge, and keep looking for more ideas. Don’t stop with the squiggly light bulbs and recycling. It’s much easier to be green than you think.

And remember, a little green is better than not green at all. You don’t have to go all the way to do some good.

Start here – when you go shopping this Christmas, think about what your presents are made of. And the wrapping, too. Use reusable gift bags, or wrap your gifts in old-fashioned comics pages. (It’s fun to find especially appropriate cartoons for your friends and family.)

I’ve put together an earth-friendly shopping guide on Squidoo if you need some help. Spend greenly!

http://www.squidoo.com/earthshop/