Conscious consumerism is a bit of an oxymoron, especially during the holidays. This time of year I find it hard to reconcile my desire to buy and possess with my desire to be mindful and leave a smaller footprint. But it also can be fun (or stressful) to find gifts for friends and family.

Next weekend the first ever Eco Gift Expo at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium will be an alternative to mall madness as 150 eco-friendly companies present their wares all in one place. It also sounds like a fun afternoon. I’m told there will be organic chocolate, an organic food court, musicians, minstrels, and a gift-wrapping booth offered by the Los Angeles Times (recycled newspapers for gift paper, of course). The details: Saturday and Sunday December 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. $10 tickets on-line, $15 at the door, kids under 12, free.

And for those interested in taking mindfulness beyond shopping, this Sunday Sylvia Boorstein will lead a workshop at Loyola Marymount University sponsored by Insight L.A. The afternoon of teachings will be from Sylvia’s new book “Happiness is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life.”

I just got a copy of the book and it’s easy-to-read and offers useful ideas like equanimity is sometimes just a reminder away and bad feelings just aren’t good for you. It’s also refreshingly candid as Boorstein admits that even after 30 years of meditating, she still gets mired in the trappings of unskillful thoughts. Good things to know as the holidays heat up.