Dozens of last-minute gift ideas available with King County’s Waste Free Holidays program

Stumped by what to give to loved ones and friends this holiday season? Or perhaps you're the type who always seems to wait until the last minute to take care of that long gift list?

Don't worry: With King County's Waste Free Holidays promotion, which offers "experience" gifts at discounts of 15 to 50 percent, there are literally dozens of great gift ideas that will never be the wrong color or size.

"The variety that this program offers gift-buyers grows each year," said Tom Watson, King County's Waste Free Holidays manager.

"For example, people can purchase experience gifts for Baby Loves Disco, which offers dance parties for young kids. Or you can give someone a gift certificate for environmentally sound carpet cleaning through Greener Carpet Cleaner," Watson said.

Now in its 12th year, Waste Free Holidays in King County is sponsored by the King County Solid Waste Division and Seattle Public Utilities. The City of Tacoma, Kitsap County and Thurston County also offer Waste Free Holidays programs with their local businesses.

Giving an experience gift this holiday season will help reduce the tidal wave of additional waste that is generated at the end of the year.

"Americans typically throw away an extra five million tons of garbage between Thanksgiving and New Year's, when compared to any other five-week period of the year," Watson said. "Purchasing an 'experience' gift for someone helps cut down on that waste."

Here's how it works: Visit the Waste Free Holidays Web site at www.wastefreeholidays.com for the complete list of participating partners. Each gift is offered at a special discounted price of 15 to 50 percent.