With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it’s inevitable that the bombardment of commercials is on its way. While it's great to get into the spirit, it’s also important to be aware of the impact that holiday consumerism has on our planet.
So, how badly do the Holidays affect the environment? According to an article by Discover Magazine in 2021, “between Thanksgiving and New Year's household waste usually increases by about 25% and equates to about 1,000 extra pounds of trash.” With this alarming statistic, more consumers are searching for ways to celebrate the holidays in a more sustainable way. Luckily, there are many simple and cost-effective ways to share in the festivities without increasing your carbon footprint.
SHOP LOCAL
Shopping at a local shop is a great way to purchase gifts for loved ones while also supporting your local community. Unlike mass-produced items from a large retail store, a local store can not
only provide higher quality and longer lasting products, but it will also provide a more unique gift that you won’t find everywhere
THRIFT STORES
For a truly one-of-a-kind gift, your local thrift store is a treasure trove of hidden gems. While some might think of a thrift store as a place where old, unwanted, and dirty clothes go to retire, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only can you find unique and wonderful gifts from clothes to decor, but you won't break the bank with the more affordable prices.
Thrift stores aren’t just useful for gift-giving, they’re also the perfect place to find holiday decor for your home. You can score indoor decorations like Christmas trees and lights, and also find tons of lawn and outdoor decorations as well. If you aren’t sure where to go, check out this national directory to find a thrift store near you!
RECYCLED GIFT WRAP
No gift is complete without beautiful wrapping. After all, the surprise is often the best part! Unsurprisingly, gift wrap is one of the most wasteful aspects of the holiday season. In fact, according to Earth 911, “2.3 million pounds [of used wrapping paper] end its life in landfills.” So, is there a way to beautifully hide your gifts without all of the future waste? There is! Used paper grocery bags can be repurposed and decorated to create a beautiful and one-of-a-kind gift wrap. Another option is to use leftover fabric. Plenty of thrift stores sell bits of fabric that can easily be used to wrap gifts or used as confetti inside a gift bag. The fabric has the added bonus
of being reusable year after year! For a personalized touch, you can even try painting your bags or adding small unique touches like dried flowers to your fabric-wrapped gifts.
FARMERS MARKETS
There’s nothing quite like sitting down for a nice holiday meal with loved ones. While grocery stores are a quick and easy way to purchase food items, much of the produce can be treated with pesticides or genetically modified in ways that are bad for the environment. That’s why local farmer’s markets are the perfect place to go to make sure you have everything you need for your holiday meals without worry. This national farmer’s market directory can tell you where to find one near you!
With these tips and tricks, it’s not only possible, but simple to have a sustainable holiday season. So, which one of these will you be trying out this year? If you have a unique way you sustainably celebrate the holidays, comment below and let us know!