It’s the most wonderful time of the year … Christmas brings excitement and joy to families with a tradition of exchanging gifts that can be heartwarming – but not always environmentally friendly. Keep these eco-friendly holiday shopping tips in mind over the holiday season to delight your family and friends with creative and sustainable gift-giving.
Make a List, Check it Twice
The best place to start for eco-friendly holiday shopping tips is to make a list – and check it twice. Add to your list with thoughtful, local and sustainable gift ideas for your family and friends. Having a plan will cut down on impulse shopping and save money too.
Consider Handmade
Consider DIY projects like knitting, woodworking, pottery, or baking to give the gift of your time and talent. This is a very cool way to add a personal touch to your gift-giving.
While not everyone has the time to make a handmade gift, there are many local artisans and crafters who do. Visit your local farmer’s market and craft fairs to find unique locally made treasures to gift your loved ones. You’ll find beautifully wrapped baking, artwork, hand made quilts and carvings, and so much more.
Gift an Experience
Christmas presents often come with lots of packaging and are manufactured from non-recyclable materials. Consider giving your family or friends an eco-friendly experience gift – such as a ski trip, a Science World membership, or a movie pass – that they will enjoy and appreciate every bit as much.
Buy Local
Buying local is a great way to find unique gifts for your loved ones. This will support small business owners, many of whom are very eco-conscious in terms of packaging and sourcing their merchandise. While it’s tempting to buy online, buying local reduces transportation requirements and emissions as well as shipping costs.
Consolidate Online Shopping Orders
Shopping online can be a great way to research sustainable gift ideas. You might find an eco-conscious company that makes the perfect thing for your loved one. Or a tech gadget that is the most energy-efficient of its kind. Or you might go to a big box store online so you can do one big order instead of several small ones with the goal of reducing emissions from multiple deliveries.
If you keep these eco-friendly holiday shopping tips in mind, not only will you find unique gift ideas for your loved ones, but you will also reduce your carbon footprint during the holidays. Need more information and other tips? Please feel free to ask Green Coast Rubbish Team.
