Buy Gifts, Save The Planet

It’s finally December and you’re probably wondering what you’re going to gift to all your loved ones for the holidays. Sure, you could grab a gift card to their favorite store or pick up another scarf on the way to that tacky sweater Christmas party (Zoom version this year), but what if you could give them something with a little more life?

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, biophilia refers to humans’ innate connection with nature and all living things. Serenbe was built on biophilic principles, and is working with experts and biophilic organizations around the world to share the concept and create a biophilic movement. So, we thought what better way to spread some biophilic, holiday cheer than with 6 ways to buy biophilic this holiday season. Keep on reading!

1. Biophilia Artwork - While any painting or photo of nature is a beautiful gift idea, we’d like to suggest a creative poster from the Biophilia Poster Exhibit that debuted at Serenbe back in October. This is a traveling exhibit showcasing 100 poster finalists from all over the world (see above image of the poster installation in the woods). Over 3,500 posters from over 167 different countries were submitted in this inaugural year! While we can’t necessarily travel right now, add an international element to your gift giving this year.

2. Florals from our local flower shop Forage & Flower - Creating beautiful and elegant floral arrangements for every day deliveries, weddings and events, Forage & Flower is the perfect place to find a uniquely gorgeous arrangement for the plant lover in your life. From Orchid plantings to succulent gardens, they can create anything you’d like!

3. Outdoor yoga or private pilates class - Indoor gatherings may be minimal this year, but luckily we can still workout outdoors, which is better for the brain anyway! Serenbe Yoga has added outdoor options to their regular schedules, making the perfect gift for your yogi friend or workout fanatic. They also have some new merch available in the studio, with the phrase “Nurture Nature” on their hoodies - another great addition. Grab a private or semi-private reformer class at the new Studio 13 pilates studio in our Mado hamlet.

4. Gifts from the Rodale Institute - This nonprofit is the pioneer of organic agriculture research and focuses on growing the organic and regenerative movement through research, farmer training, and consumer education. Not only have they opened their SE Organic Research Center up the road from Serenbe, they have a full, online store! They offer organic self-care kits, beanies, hats, tote bags (who doesn’t love a good tote?!), t-shirts and even honey. All to support the regenerative agriculture movement.

5. Books on Biophilia - For that family member who always has a book in their hands, a great option is a book on biophilia. Some of our current favorites are All We Can Save by Dr. Ayana Johnson and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, Our Wild Calling by Richard Louv (available at our local Hills and Hamlets Bookshop), or Nature Inside: A Biophilic Design Guide by Bill Browning and Catherine Ryan. Or set up an a House Account store credit at Hills & Hamlets, we love supporting local shops so they can continue to thrive.

6. Sponsor a Tree or Subscribe to a CSA share - Serenbe Farms is planting a fruit orchard next February - March 2021, and want you to be involved! For their inaugural orchard planting season, they’re offering the ability to sponsor a tree and be commemorated for fruiting generations to come. They will engrave a plaque with the honorees name (or a customized message of your choice) to sit underneath the tree year after year. You can also email virginia@serenbefarms.com to book a farm tour or purchase a CSA (community supported agriculture) share so your loved one can have fresh, local farm veggies starting in March 2021.

We hope you have a happy, biophilic holiday season!