Today as a second-grader mentioned her baby brother only drinks organic milk, I wondered how her generation will manage climate change. It made me incredibly sad, truthfully, as boomers like myself are well-insulated from the tragic consequences of past environmental blundering. After all, as immortal as we may feel, few of us will experience 2050 and beyond.

Perhaps that is why it seemed a bit more relevant to consider a gift list with future generations in mind.

Non-Material Gifts:

• Essential services: If grandma never used the cell phone you got her, maybe she needs somebody to pay the monthly service. If grandpa cut off his beloved cable, maybe it exceeds his budget.
• Tech services: Hook up the DVD player, the computer, wireless… whatever your elders may need to get them wired. Give them a Twitter lesson, bookmark your Facebook page (so they know what people are talking about) or create a page or an Avatar for them.
• Offer transportation: If everybody is upset that ‘Dad’ is still driving, how about some transportation offers? Many older people are afraid to take buses or cannot carry shopping items safely with a walker. They may also feel insecure going places alone. You may think they complain endlessly about their health, but believe me, most just scratch the surface. There are quite a few teenagers out there who would also appreciate some carting around without the parental  ’groan’.
• Equipment sharing: Believe it or not, past generations used to lend their cars, bikes, tractors and even hunting dogs. Develop a more generous impulse and the world will conserve more resources.
• Senior groups: Help older people connect with senior services and volunteer groups locally by going with them. The Human Services Council (HSC) has a volunteer program for Seniors that involves older people in all kinds of opportunities throughout the community.
• Classes and Workshops: There are all sorts of community education classes that don’t cost much but are fun for everyone. I signed up my mother-in-law – who had professed a desire to paint with watercolors several times - to receive a catalogue of classes offered for “mature learners” at our community college.  She had been withering from post-retirement boredom but felt insecure about the process of getting into a class, so I signed her up for the first one. Within a few months she had several new friends and a full calendar of activities. 
• Trade your favorite books as gifts among family and friends. It is amazing how much you can learn from this kind of exchange and discover new interests in common. 
• Accompany parents to religious services: Many parents brought their children up with a mainstream religion only to watch their progeny drop out. It can be a thrill for parents to have their children come to church or temple with them and mean more than anything material. Just imagine your grandmother’s face if you said, “Can I come to Mass with you on Christmas?”
• Family visits: Rather than buying expensive gifts for Mom and Dad, factor in an extra visit instead. They would much rather see you for a weekend than get more ’stuff’ they don’t need and have to store.
• Handyman repairs and chores: Pregnant women, sick or disabled friends and elderly people all will appreciate a helping hand with chores and other less-than-wonderful repairs. Offer to prune the trees, rake the leaves, clean the gutters, paint the guest room or even do the laundry and you’ll be a hero.
• Housesit/babysit/caretake: If you know a caretaker of a child, parent or disabled person, you know someone who is often exhausted. Offer to caretake for a few hours or overnight and give them a break.

Money Gifts:

• Gift cards for college students, high schoolers, seniors and everyone in between hit the target. If you know where they generally shop – even if it’s the supermarket - give them that gift card as cards are generally only good for a year.
• Cash Cards: Instead of giving a specific retailer’s gift card or something that requires a purchase to use, give a prepaid debit card. These cash cards are a wonderful way for people to pay for things or services they actually need, like a monthly prescription or utility payment.
• Hobbies can be expensive habits, whether it is raising puggles, creating art, running marathons or knitting. For best results, research where your designee generally gets supplies. This is easily done with a casual, “I was thinking about taking a watercolor class. By the way, where do you get your paints?” A gift card to a favorite supply house is the best gift a hobbiest could imagine.
• Cash: Children particularly love the ‘feel’ of cash, but if you are giving to children, try to get new, clean bills from your bank. (Money itself is actually pretty filthy.)

Charitable Donations:

Tributes: If your friends really do have everything they need, consider a donation in their name to a favorite charity. This is also a no-pressure way to gift something to a family that is not in a position to gift the equivalent back.

Shelters: Don’t forget those who serve the poor this time of year. Out-grown winter coats, gloves and jackets will be used right away. Toys are a big item too, but wash and clean these well before dropping them off. Blankets, spreads, rain gear, shoes and other clothing items are also a welcome donation. Some non-profits collect business clothing for jobseekers or those who have recently been released from prison, so keep these items in mind too. The lapel may be out of style, but they won’t care.

Recycling Gifts:

White elephant gifts are best described as something a person owns but doesn’t want or like even though they are in perfectly good condition. They can be ‘re-gifted’ as a wonderful way to give away things you will never use. For instance, pretty stationery and hand-made cards are often greatly appreciated, but an on-line person may never use them. Why not give them to the aunt who writes such lovely notes?

Gag (To be Recycled) Gifts:  Of course, this brings to mind a family who used to re-gift a gigantic pair of underwear as a sort of “old maid” gesture each year. That family enjoyed the custom, but you may want to rise above that sort of behavior unless everybody in the family is in on the joke. (A garden gnome or lawn ornament may be a better substitute or even a favorite piece of art work.)