August 20, 2007
Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeSome Early...Really Early...Holiday Cheer!
by Marni Fogelson-Teel
I want to share a wonderful place to buy gifts for the holidays. Okay, people, I know it’s not even Labor Day yet, and the words “obsessive compulsive” are probably coming to mind, but yes, I shop early. A few years ago, I got sick of the gift-giving anxiety and intense pressure that comes with finding dozens of people the perfect present within just a few weeks. So, I shop all year.
I’m always on the lookout for holiday booty on a number of websites and recently, I discovered Hip & Zen (www.hipandzen.com). You see, in addition to my early shopping commitment, I’ve decided that I want the process to be more meaningful, so I try to buy gifts with a story behind them. (Do you think I over-analyze this process a little too much?)
Hip & Zen includes the history and background of every brand, making each
purchase a personalized thoughtful decision. Many of the featured designers were inspired by their own experiences to make changes towards living and buying consciously. The website also comes equipped with a handy key, designating which items are organic, handmade, recycled, fairly traded and natural.
From organic cotton baby booties to earth-inspired jewelry, created by a Namibian artist, to handmade purses, made from recycled plastic bags and beautiful bowls made out of telephone wire in South Africa, Hip & Zen showcases diverse collections for people with equally varied tastes (i.e., your best friend’s new baby and your Great Aunt Louise). The website includes eco-fashion favorites, like Stewart+Brown, Deborah Lindquist, and eco-ganik, as well as lesser-known, but equally noble, brands, including one which supports a 
Nepalese orphanage.
To me, shopping on a website like Hip & Zen, instead of getting holiday gifts at one of the plethora of huge discount stores taking over every town, is the difference between making a trip to the Farmer’s Market and going to a supermarket to get your fruits and veggies. At the Farmer’s Market, you get a whole lot more information about where your goods are coming from and a reason to feel better about giving your credit card a work out. So, stop making fun of me, find a nice storage place in your closet and get going! The holidays will be here before you know it!
