The holiday season has begun, with Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa all falling in December. This season is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends; it’s a time full of love and warmth.
However, the holidays can be costly, not just for the individual purchasing the presents, but also for the environment. Did you know that Americans throw away roughly 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and the New Year than any other time of the year, generating 25 million extra tons of garbage? Holiday gifts typically come with an enormous amount of plastic, both in the products themselves and in the wrapping, packaging, and shipping.
Consider shopping sustainably this year if you want to save money while saving the environment! There are lots of ways to shop ethically, and it can even be more enjoyable than regular shopping!
thrifting
You can give someone a one-of-a-kind item by thrifting! Thrifting is always fun since you can find amazing finds at your local Goodwill, including furniture, vintage jeans, and even classic books for bookworms.
experiences
Although I love thrifting, I’m aware that it can be quite hit or miss at times. Sometimes I get lucky and find the best stuff, but other times I walk away empty-handed. Thrifting and buying secondhand are not the only ways to shop ethically this holiday season. For example, you can gift your mom a trip to the spa for a day or your brother a ticket to watch his favorite baseball team play. Consider purchasing an experience for your family and friends that they wouldn’t normally get for themselves. More examples include concert tickets, painting workshops, pottery classes, and yoga. The possibilities are limitless.
local businesses
Remember to also support your locally owned businesses when you shop! In Tallahassee, my favorite spot to shop and support small businesses is Railroad Square in the Art District. There are businesses for every interest, such as a cat bookstore, vintage shops, local honey, and much more. Additionally, I would advise visiting a nearby flea market or farmer’s market, where numerous vendors provide goods and services to attract a wide range of customers.
handcrafted gifts
When in doubt, I always go back to a handcrafted gift because I find it to be more sentimental. For example, my sister enjoys crocheting and is constantly creating adorable crotchet items such as clothes, plushies, and more. You can never go wrong with a homemade gift made from love!
A 2022 national survey conducted by the Center for Biological Diversity showed that 90 percent of respondents wished that the holidays were less materialistic. Keep in mind that the holidays aren’t just about gifts, and it’s easy to get caught up in the materialism of it all when advertising for the latest gadgets is constantly shoved in our faces. I won’t lie, Christmas hauls on YouTube used to be my guilty pleasure, but it’s vital to remember what the holidays are truly about: spreading love and showing gratitude to those you care about.
I hope you’ll consider gifting more sustainably this holiday season. It’ll not only save your bank account but will also help save and protect our earth.
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