Audubon Marketplace Gift Ideas

'Tis the season to give gifts to your loved ones and Audubon Marketplace is a unique and wondrous place to purchase them. Not only are their some cool items available, but this is another way of supporting the Audubon Nature Institute. What would New Orleans be without Audubon's zoo, aquarium, IMAX Theater, golf course, jogging trails, and more? This center is a part of the community's vibrant heart. By giving holiday presents to friends and family on your shopping list, you're giving a little piece of New Orleans's history and heart to those who are a part of yours. Who's on your list? Because there's something for everyone. Here are some ideas.

- For the cooks on your list: Who are the cooks in your clan? Mom, Dad, Grandma or your sister-in-law? Modern Hospitality by Whitney Miller is a collection of Southern recipes that are considered simple yet charming. There's even a forward written by the famous Gordon Ramsey. Another unique cookbook is one entitled Cooking Up A Storm and is full of recipes sent in by those who lost their worldly goods in Hurricane Katrina.

- For the eco-friendly in your group: We all love Mother Earth and what better way to shout it out than with a fun tee-shirt. There are several styles and colors with sayings such as "Paws Off My Planet" or "Claws Off Our Planet."

- For the readers in your family: We all want to encourage our kids to read and there are some perfect books for all ages. There are several Discovery Kids books about animals and oceanlife. There's a fun one called Goodnight NOLA modeled after the classic Goodnight Moon.

- Creative kits and games to keep the kids busy: How about a chemistry set for your brainiac nephew or niece? This is geared for future scientists age 8+ and has thirty experiments to try out. Beware, though, there is one for a "stink bomb" and you know it'll be a favorite. There are a slew of others including puzzles, board games and even a day-at-the-spa play toy for pretend pampering.

- Give them the animals: There are ways to give away the animals including plush toys, puzzles, board games and even adopting them in your loved one's name. What's your friend or family members' favorite beast at the zoo? How about a stuffed monkey, giraffe or white tiger? There are even backpacks, purses and hair accessories adorned by zoo creatures. Adopting, in your loved one's name, an animal like the radiated tortoise or dung beetle is a great way of presenting a carefree pet. They can just stop by the zoo and say hello to their adoptee.

- Gifting a membership: For a present that gives all year long, a zoo or park membership will allow your tribe to have a fun-filled day at Audubon Nature Institute anytime they want. A clever way to present this is attaching it to a book or toy from the Audubon Marketplace.

When a person does his or her holiday shopping at the Audubon Marketplace, everyone wins. The institute is supported and your relatives and friends get to open up the coolest, most thoughtful gifts.