Here is the full length video called "The Story of Stuff"--an excellent quick overview of the consumer process. It's been going around the internet a lot lately, and is definitely an important thing to think about, especially before the holidays. The basic premise is that social values urge us to buy a lot of stuff that we don't really need and that is designed to be "disposable." The narrator helps us understand why this isn't a good thing for the environment, the people who make the stuff, or for the people who buy the stuff.

Since it's still fun to buy gifts for people sometimes, what's the solution? For your family in Vermont, locate a personal chef who uses local ingredients and cooks meals from scratch. Buy a gift certificate for your family so they can enjoy a meal like this in their home. For your sister in Miami, buy a gift certificate to a local cleaning service that uses environmentally friendly cleaning products. Who doesn't love to be spoiled and have their house cleaned? For your stressed out friend from high school back in Phoenix you could buy a one-hour massage from a local masseuse.

And for all your friends in San Diego, get them gift certificates from Sea Rocket Bistro!

Services (as opposed to goods) are a great way to make life great without all the "stuff" attached.