10 Tips for Sustainable Gift Giving

There’s nothing quite like the temptation of a good sale, the satisfying feeling of beating the system and somehow getting more than what you paid for. Yet it’s not so much about beating the system as it is contributing to it.

Recent exposés of the fashion industry, like The True Cost movie, reveal just how fast fashion and mass consumerism have forced manufacturers to cut corners and costs in order to deliver goods for the lowest price, often to the detriment of those making our products. Many large scale retailers factor tremendous markups into their prices just to capitalize on the psychology of the sale. But since when have forced child labor, mass pollution, and dangerous working conditions become acceptable byproducts of holiday gift-giving?

Give with a conscience this holiday season by considering the following tips for Sustainable Gift Giving.

  1. Give the Gift of Experience: Giving doesn’t need to be about stuff. In fact, surveys have shown that many people, including millennials, are looking to spend money on experiences instead of things. Especially in the U.S., where we’ve grown accustomed to long work hours and many people don’t take vacations, a nice dinner, a concert, or a good ole jump out of an airplane, could be a great excuse to get out of the office and spend quality time with someone you care about. And why spend money when many experiences are 100% free!
  2. Volunteer Together: Many families have made it a tradition to volunteer at a local food pantry around the holidays. And while this is great, why not extend the tradition throughout the year? Sites like Idealist have an easy volunteer opportunity search so you can seek out local organizations in need or incorporate volunteering into your next family trip.
  3. Donate on Their Behalf: One of my favorite gifts ever was the “adoption” of a humpback whale that was frequently spotted with her calf off the coast of New Hampshire. The donation covered expenses for the marine conservation group and included regular updates on my whale’s life as a whale. Instead of buying something for the person that doesn’t need anything, find a cause they care about and donate on their behalf.
  4. Buy Less with a Gift Swap: Instead of buying a gift for every one of your friends and family, organize a gift swap. Swaps are a great way to set a budget that’s fair for everyone, or to employ a theme, like thrifted or cooking, so everyone walks away with a gift they can feel good about.
  5. Thrift Gifts: The 70s & 90s are back in style and the streets of Brooklyn are swarming with millennials in their mom’s floral button-down dress and grandma’s over-sized readers. There’s nothing quite like the feel of a soft, vintage flannel against your burly beard. So why not dig through those secondhand finds in search of holiday gifting gold?
  6. DIY: Pinterest. Need I say more? The internet is swarming with beautiful images of handmade gifts with instructions anyone could follow. Whether it’s a hand-knit scarf, a personalized cookbook of your favorite recipes, or a sweet handmade card, making your own gifts allows you to choose sustainable supplies and know intimately what it took to make your gifts.
  7. Shop Local: Weekly farmers markets and craft fairs are a great way to find unique items produced locally. Hand-dyed yarn, artisanal cheeses, and original art all make for high-quality gifts that don’t require extensive packaging materials and cross-country trucking.
  8. Pay a Fair Price: #FairTuesday is an ethical shopping movement aimed at educating shoppers about the impact a fair trade purchase can have on artists and their families. Shop on Fair Tuesday to support eco-friendly, ethical, and fair trade brands for a fair price.
  9. Shop B Corps: B Corporations are companies that are working to change the face of business around the world by focusing on people and the planet while still operating financially sustainable businesses. With hundreds of certified B Corps worldwide selling everything from housewares to gourmet food, choose to buy from businesses with a proven positive impact.
  10. Support Transparent Retailers: Several companies like Everlane and REI are shining light on the Black Friday debacle by donating profits to factory workers or closing their doors completely. Others avoid running special promotions and continue to charge a fair price for their products. Are companies clear and transparent about their sustainability goals or are they greenwashing as part of dodgy marketing campaign? Take an active role in your consumerism and do your research.

Originally published on www.theconsciouscrafter.com by Rachel Foley