Have you been to the gallery in Shelburne Falls? That’s where I got mine. They have the really big planets (think $5,000+) and the copper baskets too. You might also want to get the Josh Simpson that WBGY did. It’s called Where the Earth Meets the Sky. It’s really good.
The same year I got mine, we got one for my fiance’s mother. Her’s is the same size as mine but we got her a holder. It looks like those fancy globe holders you frequently see in schools and libraries. It’s so cool.
Make that:
The Josh Simpson show that WGBY did. They have it on DVD.
I imagine most zoos would have a similar ‘adopt an animal’ program.
Note that one of the animals you can adopt is a hairy-nosed wombat. What is cooler than that?
This may only apply to UK dopers, although I’m sure there must be a US equivalant. I bought my friend a fruit tree for Christmas.
The fruit tree goes to a family in Senegal, which provides them with a boost to their diet and possible money through selling the fruit at market. My friend gets a card with the details of the gift and a warm glowing feeling.
You can buy pigs, sheep, chickens, health-care workers, water filters, green houses, blankets. All kinds of things! It’s a great gift for someone who doesn’t really need anything and will appreciate this kind of thing.