The holiday season is a time for fun, family, and forgiveness. At the same time, it is one of the most consumer-driven times of the year. Understandably, as a mom, the Christmas shopping hustle can quickly become overwhelming. Buy more, more, more!
However, embracing sustainable living during the holiday season can both satisfy your wish to be just right while reducing your negative environmental impact. Sustainable living means we can do it over and over again. Especially at Christmas time, sustainability becomes a real challenge.
With small, thoughtful changes, you can make this Christmas meaningful while teaching your children the importance of sustainability.
Here are three shopping tips to help you achieve a greener holiday season with big results.
1 Think about Quality over Quantity
It’s always better to go quality over quality. Check the sales carefully before you buy. Easier said than done ….. But in the long run it pays off. Quality, however, comes in different ways. The use of plastic seems a part of our everyday use now. BAD BAD. Disposing of plastic by making it into something else doesn’t really help. So try for brands that give you life and use.
I would recommend this warm throw for the sofa for example. Quality and at a price that will allow more than one perhaps? Maybe in this instance we can even share.
2 Think about homemade gifts and using local materials
You know, just getting the gifts together becomes part of the process. When it is homemade, maybe old fabrics, bamboo sticks, poster paints and papier-mâché all come together with the camaraderie and fun of doing. A couple hours together on a cold or rainy night will fend off those hurtful arrows that hover around. The family, whatever the shape or size or composition still remains at the heart of Christmas.
Additionally, there is going somewhere together that doesn’t become a chore. I know here in Canada there are passes to the zoo and museums especially for newcomers. These may well fit the bill at this special time of the year. It’s all about those “Small Changes with Big Impact”.
3 Get outside and support those small, Local Businesses and Eco-Friendly Brands
There is a quite a bit of movement of households as parents and children move into new income -generating activities. Often times there is what we call the ‘empty-nest’ phenomenon where everyone seems to be leaving the original home.
Sometimes older people look forward to getting outside with company that understands that walking isn’t so easy anymore or perhaps that their hands get cold too quickly So as you get ready to go outside don’t forget this wonderful handwarmer I can assure you it will be appreciated.
But getting back to our staying local, buying from small businesses or eco-friendly companies… One of the best ways to embrace sustainable shopping is by supporting local artisans and eco-conscious businesses. More and more as we look around we notice businesses trying to buy local and or at least national. Farmers markets are well-known and a key example of this.
Join the conscious shoppers!! You not only contribute to the local economy but also help reduce the carbon footprint associated with mass-produced goods.
Bring it all together. Sustainable shopping and quality – giving both emotionally and physically. Just Great!! The reward is worth it. This Christmas, small changes can lead to a big impact, creating cherished memories and setting an example for future generations about the importance of living sustainably.
[As an amazon associate I do earn from qualifying purchases.]