An abundance of "green" gift ideas can be found this holiday season, from fairly traded chocolate to organic cotton T-shirts. Going green has become quite fashionable, if not trendy.

Unfortunately, my family's pledge to buy nothing new this year precludes us from delving into these green goodies. Instead, by creatively avoiding the shopping craze, I have reexamined what it means to give.

Supporting charities is a popular alternative to traditional gifts and is easy to do. Because it involves buying nothing, I decided to go this route for some people on my list.

I was challenged to find charities that the recipients themselves would appreciate. For example, I initially thought about purchasing carbon offsets (www.terrapass.com) for everyone, to make up for their carbon emissions for the year. But that would send a mixed message: "Don't worry about global climate change -- I've got you covered." The New York Times recently referred to this kind of guilt-inducing gift as coming from a "green grinch."

I was able to find good non-preachy options for some on my list. For the entrepreneurs in my family, I donated to Kiva.org, an organization that provides microfinancing to individuals starting businesses in developing countries. For the students, teachers, and PTA members on my list, I selected Donorschoose.org which allows contributors to fund teacher's proposals for equipment and classroom activities. Recipients choose which project they would like to fund, giving them more control over how the donation is spent.

Thinking locally, I made an honorary gift to the North Carolina Botanical Garden for my Chapel Hill friends. I know that they will all appreciate the new eco-friendly visitors center and may do so even more now that they have contributed to all the cool "green" features of this building.

Lacking any craft skills whatsoever, I channeled my creative energy toward my crafty friend, Connie. For the kids on my list, I commissioned her to make sweet dress-up capes out of some batik fabric I had collected over the years. My 3-year-old daughter, Lili, helped me assemble a great collection of toys from thrift stores. After wrapping them in her own abundant artwork, she is very excited to distribute them to her friends!

In lieu of their own pile of gifts, my daughters are getting a special beach trip, which my husband and I hope becomes a holiday ritual.

Despite these efforts, there are still some people on my list who deserve special attention. Those I want to give a heartfelt gift of thanks, a gift that takes a little more effort that entering my credit card number on a website. To me, there is an element of sacrifice to the best gifts -- a sacrifice of time or effort that signifies care and love.

So, I got out my kids' markers, construction paper, glue stick, and glitter. In a quiet moment, I crafted sparkly homemade gift certificates for babysitting, a yummy Sunday dinner, a day of gardening help, and, for my parents, a special week-long visit from their grandkids this summer.

I have to admit that I am still drawn to the glitzy green goods of the season. The green of my own holiday season, though, is brightened by avoiding the crowds, the trends, and the disconnectedness that comes with the hustle and bustle of buying. I'm hopeful that our "Going Green" year encourages me to be more thoughtful in my giving without turning me into a green grinch.