Going to a holiday party and don’t have time to bake from scratch? Pick up fresh cider, doughnuts, pumpkin pies and other baked goods at local cider mills like Sweet Seasons Orchard, Concord, MI.

"I think the Cider Mill is a really great place that is not very well known to students" said Haley Montgomery, Portage senior. "They have all kinds of delicious baked goods that would make great gifts or just a treat for you. I also think it’s really cool that they’ll let you watch them press the cider."

According to their website: "American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer and retailer of clothing for men, women, kids and dogs. Meaning, we’ve consolidated all stages of production under one roof at our downtown Los Angeles factory, from the cutting and sewing, right through to the photography and marketing."

Try buying a boss or co-worker a Fair Trade organic coffee basket, or make a donation in their name to a charity that they support. Fair Trade means that a company negotiates directly with the retailer to negotiate a fair price on consumer goods.

Buy a fashionista a handbag from BYOB, or Bring Your Own Bag www.bringyourownbag.ca. They claim that buying and using one of their bags eliminates the use of over a thousand plastic bags. You can also save energy in other ways besides shopping; trade your regular Christmas lights for a string of energy-efficient Seasonal LEDs.

Two United Kingdom companies, LUSH and Jelly Pong Pong, are gaining popularity in the United States for their all-natural and organic soaps, hair products and cosmetics. LUSH just opened a store at Twelve Oaks Mall, Novi, MI. They also have a smaller stores in the Macy’s at Twelve Oaks. Try their Godiva shampoo bar or their American Cream; both good for beauty facing another Michigan winter. If it gets difficult to make it out to the store; try ordering Jelly Pong Pong’s Soap Popsicles online at jellypongpong.com. Jelly Pong Pong boasts that all of the ingredients from their products are from Italy. Both companies offer gift baskets, abhor animal testing and have environmentally-friendly manufacturing plants.

Students around campus notice the purple Dodge Caravan that advertises locally handmade dog treats.

"I’ve always seen that van parked over by Vulgamore [Hall], and have wondered what Dancing Dog’s Bakery really was," said Greg Hodges, Rochester Hills sophomore.

Shannon Aikins, the English department secretary, owns the purple van for her own business, run out of her home-- the Dancing Dogs Bakery.

Three and a half years ago, Aikins’ former employer was downsizing. Aikins thought it would be the perfect time to pick up a hobby she had wanted to try, so she left her job, came to Albion College and started the new business in her home. She makes her own all-natural dog biscuits that contain no preservatives and no dyes, unlike many dog treats. Aikins also makes a milk bone, wheat free, and a low-fat product.

"We have to remember that dogs have food allergies as well," Aikins said.

In every bag of treats, Aikins includes a heart-shaped treat. Aikins motto is, "The treats that will make your dog dance because they’re baked with love!"