12 Days of Green Christmas Crafts: A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Christmas is 12 days away. To keep you from stressing out, becoming overly anxious, or baking way too many cookies, we are going to distract you with fun DIY crafts and holiday decorations to keep you busy for the next two weeks.

Today, we're starting off easy. In fact, you don't have to lift a finger. We're not exactly showcasing a partridge in a pear tree, but it's close. Green Baby is now carrying felt owl ornaments--handmade by Liz! They are super cute, very colorful, and each one has a personality of its own. These handmade felt owls make great stocking stuffers and look even better on the Christmas tree.

Stop in to buy one of these adorable ornaments for $4.95.

Now, get your craft on, because the next few days, we are going to show you some green crafts and handmade Christmas decorations you can make yourself!

The Best Holiday Deals Are Not Only Online

On Tuesday, I posted about the importance of shopping locally. But the economy isn't great, and many people are stretching their pennies thin this holiday season. You may be asking yourself, "Isn't shopping locally more expensive?" Or you may be certain that you can find a better deal online. Sometimes you can, and then you have to decide whether paying for shipping and supporting a big box store or an out-of-town retailer is more valuable than shopping locally and supporting the community.

But when it comes to cloth diapers, more often than not, the deals you can find locally are the same as the ones you can find online. Below are some prices of some of the most popular items at Green Baby Diaper Service and online.

BumGenius Pocket Diaper (Artist Series):

Green Baby's Price: $19.95

Online:
Just Kid's Store: $16.99 + $3.38 shipping = $20.37
Diapers.com $19 + $4.99 shipping =  $23.99
eBay $28.84 (seriously?) + free shipping = $28.84

Thirsties Duo Diaper Cover in Hoot (Size 2)

Green Baby's Price: $13.25

Online:
eBay: $19.95 + free shipping = $19.95
TGN: $13.75 + free shipping = $13.75
Jillian's Drawers: $12.75 + $5.95 shipping = $18.70

Belle Baby Carrier

Green Baby's Price: $84.95

Online:
Belle Baby Carrier Store: $99.95 + $9.25 shipping = $109.20
Babies R Us: $99.99 + $6.38 shipping = $106.37

GroVia Shell

Green Baby's Price: $16.95

Online:
Betty's Baby Stuff: $16.22 + $6.97 shipping = $23.19
Cloth Diaper Outlet: $16.95 + $2.98 shipping = $19.93

Flip Diaper Cover

Green Baby's Price: $13.95

Online:
The Green Nursery: $13.95 + free shipping = $13.95
Cotton Babies: $13.95 + free shipping = $13.95
Cloth Diaper Outlet: $13.95 + $2.14 = $16.09




 Really. I actually tried to search for the lowest prices online. When it comes to cloth diapers, the retail prices are pretty regulated, so you're generally going to find approximately the same price everywhere. So why buy from someone you don't know when you can buy from someone you do know? Someone who can also answer your questions and help you when you need advice. You can even bring your child into the store and try the diapers on.

Also, if you see a lower price online and Liz hasn't matched it yet, it's most likely because she wasn't aware. Let her know. She's always open to helping her customers out.

Want a Cloth Diaper Cake? Try a Floral Arrangement Instead

Just in time for the holidays and all the babies due this winter, Green Baby rolled out a brand new idea: the cloth diaper floral arrangement. You know how diaper cakes are so popular with disposable diapers but are a little more difficult (and expensive) to put together using cloth diapers?

Green Baby has teamed up with Lou's Flower World to create a cloth diaper floral arrangement that uses the same idea as a diaper cake, but it's a little greener. A cloth diaper arrangement makes a perfect:

• Baby shower decoration
• Shower gift
• Holiday present

What you do is buy a bunch of baby accessories and cloth diaper covers or prefolds. Bring them over to Lou's Flower World at 5128 Oleander drive, where you can pick out a potted plant or have them create a floral arrangement for you. The florists will put together an arrangement using the items you bought at Green Baby, making a perfect bouquet that's perfect for a mom-to-be or a new mom.

Some items that you could put in your cloth diaper bouquet are:

• Nursing pads
• Diaper covers in a variety of colors
• A bib
• A burpcloth
• Teething necklace
• A few colorful onesies

Green Baby has a diaper bouquet on display just inside the door. Check it out next time you visit the shop! Our bouquet also features Fertile Myrtle, a cast resin statue created by local artist Justine Ferreri. We haven't had a chance to get in touch with the artist to find out the exact symbolism behind these statues, but we're pretty sure they won't make the mom-to-be any more fertile--but they may bring new life to her garden.

Fertile Myrtle statues at Lou's

Lou's Flower World carries the Fertile Myrtle statues, and they also have a large gift shop with other green goodies to add to your cloth diaper bouquet. We are always interested in supporting local green businesses, and Lou's caught our attention with their organically-grown flowers, shrubs, and vegetables. You can go to Lou's to stock your garden, enjoy a floral arrangement created by their full-service florist, or to buy goodies made by several local artists.

What's even cooler is that the business is run by a woman. That's right -- this is Lou:

She is almost always at the store, and is so friendly and accommodating. So whether you're doing some Christmas shopping or looking for a gift for a baby shower, shop local. Stop by Green Baby's and Lou's and put together a truly unique gift.

Always taking the time to smell the flowers.