We all hear lots of ideas for reducing waste during the holiday season, but one of the most satisfying is to make a donation in someone's name: It conserves resources and cuts waste because it's not "stuff"; it helps a worthy project or charity; and it makes both the giver and the give-ee feel great. Here are a few ideas - perfect for last-minute shopping! - for green and generous holiday gifts:

- Hopelink.
Hopelink operates food banks and provides many other services to people in need at its centers in Bellevue, Kirkland, Northshore, Redmond, Shoreline and the Snoqualmie Valley.

- Heifer International.
You can give a goat, sheep, honeybees or a flock of geese to families around the world who can really use them to make ends meet.

- King County Parks Legacy Fund.
Through the King County Waste Free Holidays program ("Give an experience instead of stuff!"), you can make a gift that will beautify a King County park or trail.

- Changing the Present.
Through this non-profit, you can pick from a wide range of gifts to organizations - charitable, educational and more.

I love the name of that last one too! So why don't you consider "changing the present" yourself - in more ways than one.