How to Gift Sustainably
The holidays are wasteful. We purchase more than is needed, wrap gifts in disposable paper, and throw out a lot of plastic packaging. Online shopping is convenient, but all that shipping uses fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. Amazon makes shopping easy and cheap, but is notorious for abusing their employees.
During the holiday season, we are assaulted with advertisements encouraging us to buy, buy, buy, never stop buying. It’s overwhelming. This guide is intended be a blueprint of how to gift with intention so what you buy is long-lasting and gentle on the environment.
- Gift an experience that aligns with your friend’s passions – scuba diving lessons, a culinary class, a facial, a pottery class. You could even pay for something they do all the time – a few weeks of groceries, 2 months of their gym membership, their monthly eyebrow wax. You don’t have to gift something physical for it to be meaningful and useful.
- Buy local, buy woman-made, and buy from small businesses. These kinds of gifts are always a great option because they’re one of a kind and support your community. For example, I love Happy Camper Candles – woman-founded, handmade, and local to me. They smell so much better than any candle you will find in Target, plus the mason jar has endless uses once you are done with it!
- Food and wine are a great sustainable option, especially from a local vendor or farm.
- Buy jewelry with a purpose. You should purchase from a local jeweler or from a trusted company that has an impactful mission. The Starfish Project employs trafficked women to help them establish careers and gain independence. Catbird uses either recycled or ethically sourced diamonds and everything is handmade in Brooklyn, NY.
- Do your research about the companies you want to holiday shop in this year. Almost any item from a certified B Corporation would be a good choice. These companies have been strictly vetted for their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Some B Corps include Patagonia, Toms, Eileen Fisher, Bee’s Wrap, and Dogeared.
- Etsy makes it easy to find handmade art. Support your local artists!
- Gift clothes, shoes, or bags that are made to last. The receiver of the gift will have it for a long time, making it more meaningful than a bunch of presents that fall apart after awhile. The following brands have strong sustainability missions and make long-lasting, timeless pieces: Everlane, Cuyana, Sézane, Nisolo, Reformation, Able, Allbirds, Veja, Tribe Alive, Rareform, and Mohinders.
Shop with the mindset that makes you consider where an item came from and where it will go when the person is done with it. For example, If you plan to buy someone Victoria’s Secret lotion, it’s important to consider the chemicals in the lotion and how that plastic bottle will be disposed of when the person is done (probably the trash). On the other hand, gifting someone a bowl from a local pottery means that it helped employ a local artist and will be passed on for generations. This mindset shift will have a huge impact on the way you shop. Do your research, be thoughtful about your gifting, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Comment below how you plan on being a sustainable shopper this holiday season 🙂
I do not make any money from the links in this post. The links are there to make eco-friendly living easier for you.