Staying Sustainable During the Holidays

As the year comes to a close and we collectively reach a time of reflection, we focus not on what might have been but express gratitude for what we have and celebrate what truly matters. During the holidays, it’s easy to get carried away with gift giving to celebrate loved ones. This year, we offer a slightly different mindful gifting guide to help you celebrate as safely and sustainably as possible.

Gift intentionally. 

Gifting intentionally is more relevant than ever during the holiday season. While we love to celebrate those we love, we may not realize how much waste we're creating in the process. Find a good balance of intentional gift giving based on how useful and how long something will last for the recipient. Some ideas to think about before gifting:
• Buy things that will stand the test of time.
• Why not gift them something they can consume?
• Experiences are the gifts that keep on giving, creating memories that last a lifetime (like hotel stays!).

Shop local.

As supporters of annual Small Business Saturday initiatives, we encourage you to take this beyond the holidays. Small businesses need our help more than ever. Shopping small supports the local businesses that keep our communities thriving and local economies growing. Support a neighbor and help cut down on transportation and distribution routes, cutting down carbon footprints.

Support BIPOC-owned businesses.

Go a step further than local alone and support a local business owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). By supporting BIPOC-owned businesses, you empower local communities, assist in closing the racial wealth gap, and create job opportunities in disenfranchised communities. You can find of many lists of BIPOC-owned brands here. Search for one in your community!

Wrap sustainably.

Wrapping responsibly not only looks out for the environment, but it can give your gifts a stylish edge. You can utilize things like old shirts, scarves, fabrics, newspaper, and so much more. Add décor and flare with some real greenery like beautiful herbs. Discover seven sustainable wrapping ideas here.

Last, but not least, watch personal waste.

At times it’s normal to feel a little helpless when approaching how to live more sustainably. A lot of research can be required to know if the companies you support are doing the work to operate sustainably. One thing you are in control of is your personal waste. While COVID-19 has made it especially hard for us to go zero-waste, you can utilize the below tips to cut down:
• Ask for no straw when ordering drinks.
• Don’t leave your house without a full reusable water bottle.
• Ask for no utensils or promotional items when ordering in.
• Ditch tissues for handkerchiefs.
• Donate unused items in good condition to support the second-hand market.
• Think second-hand first when purchasing something.
• Buy food with minimal packaging.
Discover even more tips here.

We wish you the happiest of holidays!