The Ethical Consumer's Short Guide to Gift Shopping in Brooklyn

Shopping can be quite the conundrum for people who do not want to buy into massive consumerism or be a part of unethical business practices. Homemade gifts could bypass this challenge, but a person needs time and skills for such projects. Plus, many times it's just easier (and fun!) to go out and purchase that special gift. Whether you're shopping for a birthday, wedding, or the upcoming holidays, there's no need to leave Brooklyn or your morals behind.

Most Brooklynites already know about the amazing year-round Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene and with good reason. This market has it all: vintage furniture and clothing, organic flowers, ethically-sourced jewelry, and fair trade chocolates. But Brooklyn Flea isn't crafty market in town. In December, the creative folks at 3rd Ward in Bushwick pair up with Brooklyn Based for their annual Handmade Holiday Craft Fair. Come to 3rd Ward on Saturday, December 4th from noon until 6:00 pm where shoppers can find clothing, accessories, jewelry, housewares, photographic prints, artwork, winter essentials, and culinary treats. Attendees can also make their own electronic greeting card or learn crafts at the other diy workshops set up for the day. The gift that keeps on giving would be a membership to 3rd Ward. There are classes in everything from sewing, web design, and painting to woodworking and bee keeping. Another great marketplace for locally crafted goods will be held at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture in Park Slope. This year the fair, featuring handmade gifts, music, and vegetarian cuisine, is on Saturday, December 11th from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm.

Of course, there's always Etsy! There's a search feature that finds vendors by location. A quick look at recent Brooklyn entries turned up hand blown glass beaded jewelry, crocheted beanies, paint-your-own wooden doll kits, and braided headbands from recycled materials. The possibilities seem endless on Etsy.
Consumption and charity go hand in hand at Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. in Park Slope. All proceeds go to 826NYC, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students ages 6 - 18 develop writing skills. Help a nephew or niece plan their crime-stopping with a Superhero's Map of Brooklyn & Environs or for the evil villian in your life, pick up a robotic shark and a secret identity kit. There are also lab supplies such as evil blob containment capsules and mutant mind probes.

Not into purchasing material goods? There are many independently run Brooklyn businesses that would love to be the source of gift-giving joy. The Jalopy Theater in Red Hook features old time music performances such as bluegrass, jazz and folk styles. If tickets to a show isn't enough, give the gift of an 8 week course in guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo or ukulele. Commitment-phobes can rent an instrument from the Jalopy for only $25 a month.

Area Yoga in Carroll Gardens was voted best yoga studio by New York Magazine in 2007. According to Area Yoga's website, "all classes are taught to accommodate each body, and include personal adjustments and offerings of pose variations to suit the individual student's physical comfort." Sounds perfect for both a limber sister and her couch potato boyfriend. Area Yoga offers a great package of 10 classes for only $75, meaning any anxiety riddled New Yorker will appreciate this present (including alleviating the stress of gift shopping).

Another great idea is food, either by making a meal for a loved one or taking them out to a nice restaurant. V-Spot is Park Slope's only vegan café specializing in Latin cuisine and it's delicious. They also have a pretty outdoor garden and fantastic happy hours. For a bit more fancy meal, Chef Matteo hosts his weekly 4-Course Vegan at an intimate space in Williamsburg. He sources all food for the meal from local farmers markets. There are several greenmarkets in Brooklyn for those who wish to make their own offerings at home. The markets at Grand Army Plaza, Cortelyou, Fort Greene, and McCarren Park are year-round.

Shopping links:

Brooklyn Flea: http://www.brooklynflea.com/

3rd Ward: http://www.3rdward.com/events/

Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture: http://www.bsec.org/BSEC/Home.html

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company: http://www.superherosupplies.com/

Jalopy Theater: http://www.jalopy.biz/

Area Yoga: http://www.areayogabrooklyn.com/

V-Spot: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Park-Slope-NY/The-V-Spot/20525684460?v=info

4-Course Vegan: http://www.4coursevegan.com/menu.php

Brooklyn Farmers Markets: http://www.grownyc.org/