Green holiday shopping fairs in L.A.

Back in the day -- as in, like, last year -- green gifts were still hard to find around town and would-be eco-shoppers had no choice but to shop online. Now, green's gone mainstream and local green shopping fairs are happening so often I can barely keep track of all of them.

So -- if you like to touch, feel, see and maybe even try on your holiday purchases before forking over your hard-earned money, check out these fair trade and eco-conscious shopping events happening in and around L.A.:

3rd Annual Fair Trade and Conscious Gifts Holiday Bazaar

Geneva Room, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Sat., Dec. 1, 11 am – 3 pm.

A large selection of affordable, sweatshop-free arts and crafts made by artisans internationally and locally, including wallets and purses from Afghanistan, locally made jewelry and tote-bags, and fair trade coffee and honey. Confirmed vendors include Garment Worker Center, Pacifica Radio Archives, Afghan Women's Mission, Frank Dorrell, and local artists Azadeh Ghafari and Sonali Kolhatkar. Extras: Complimentary refreshments while you shop.

Garment Worker Center Fair Trade Sale & Fundraiser ($15)

Garment Worker Center, 1250 S. Los Angeles St., #213, Los Angeles
Thurs., Dec. 6, 6 pm - 10 pm

Fair trade shopping from a wide selection of beautiful artisan goods, including stationery from Ellie Pooh and belt buckles made out of recycled wood scraps by bentwood. All goods are handcrafted in equitable workplaces that support underserved communities worldwide. Extras: Door prizes, a raffle, refreshments and a reception.

Renewable L.A.: The First Annual Solar Open House & Green Holiday Gift Fest

American Hi Definition, 7635 Airport Business Park Way, Van Nuys
Sat., Dec. 8, 10 am - 5 pm

Eco-friendly gifts like hemp doggie collars and organic cotton toddler toys, plus an opportunity to "purchase” holiday gifts by donating to environmental groups’ in loved ones’ names. Extras: Enjoy the food, live music and green seminars at this free eco-fest. You can also take in a screening of "Who Killed the Electric Car?", test-drive advanced clean vehicles, and get a close-up look at one of the San Fernando Valley’s largest solar installations. Kids will have their own activities too.

Green Saturday at Eco-LA Street Fair

In front of Eco-LogicalART, 4829 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Sat., Dec. 15, 10 am - 6 pm

Green-conscious shopping from eco-conscious vendors; more info TBA. Extras: “live-painting” kid workshops, tree giveaways and other “eco” demonstrations.

Eco Gift Expo ($10 online, $15 at the door; free for seniors and children under 12)

Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica
Sat., Dec. 15, 9 am - 8 pm and Sun., Dec. 16, 9 am - 5 pm

150 companies selling a wide range of high-quality eco-friendly gifts. Exhibitors range from big companies like Whole Foods to smaller eco-conscious boutiques like Hip & Zen and Santa Monica's own Natural High Lifestyles. Extras: An organic food court as well as entertainment for the entire family. Plus, the expo will donate 10% of its gross event proceeds to Global Green USA and Whole Planet Foundation.

From top to bottom, images courtesy of AWM, GWC, Renewable L.A., Eco-LogicalART, and Eco Gift Expo