Yes, the holidays are bearing down on us. And no matter what kind of winter celebration you observe — Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Pancha Ganapati or the winter solstice — it’s probably entirely likely that gifts are involved.
Pressure to buy, buy, buy is all around us, and you probably do purchase a present or two. The question always is how to do your gift-giving in a way that is sustainable, environmentally sound, and not harmful to the earth.
Really, that’s a tall order.
And it’s all too easy to succumb to the pressure to buy, with Black Friday deals swirling around and constant reminders of all of the tempting goodies out there. So what’s a holiday shopper to do?
Let’s face it, everyone’s situation is different. But I’ll share with you the things that I keep in mind when I go out looking for gifts.
• Make a pact to buy fewer presents. Years ago, in my extended family, we agreed to only buy gifts for children under 18. The adults don’t exchange gifts. This has cut down considerably on expense, packaging, wrapping and general hassle. The important thing about Christmas for us is being together — not how much loot we take home.
• Look for what gifts they really want. It’s all too easy to buy something for someone and then have it molder in a closet forever. I’ve made it a practice to take my kids shopping at Christmas for something they want or need, and that way everyone’s happy. For instance, my older son and I go to REI and pick out some kind of outdoor gear for him, and usually go to lunch and have a lovely day together.
• Buy vintage or pre-owned items. I know that sounds strange to recommend, but buying second-hand is better for the earth. And you can find a number of places that sell quality clothing, second-hand toys and sporting goods locally. For truly unique gifts, vintage and antique goods can be found at local shops, flea markets and auctions.
When you buy second-hand, you also avoid the packaging nightmare that so many gifts have become, encased in layers of cardboard, Styrofoam and plastic.
• Buy local. We’ve got Small Business Saturday coming up on Nov. 25, and it’s a great way to support your hometown shops and stores. By shopping locally and choosing small independent businesses, you not only make it possible for your community to thrive, you also cut down on packaging — items you buy aren’t being shipped, so less cardboard, foam peanuts and what have you — and then there’s no the environmental impact related to shipping.
Even better: Choose handcrafted, non-factory-made items that are made by artists and artisans in our communities.
• Choose gifts that are experiences. Rather than buying an object to give someone, get them an experience instead. It could be as simple as a picnic in the park or tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a good meal at one of our fine dining establishments around the Monterey Bay, or it could be as elaborate as organizing a family eco-trip to Thailand. The point is to enjoy doing something, rather than just giving another item to take up space.
• Give items that are meant to be used up. Again, with the idea that some people really have too many things already, so why add to the heap? Instead, give homemade jam, local honey, special handcrafted soap made by an area artisan, wine from a Monterey Bay winery, or your own cookies or breads made with love, just to name a few.
It is fun to give gifts, and you can still have all the joy of it without the environmental pain. Happy shopping!
Do you have questions or tips about sustainable living around the Central Coast? Send them to Kathryn McKenzie at kathymckenziewriter@gmail.com. Follow Kathryn McKenzie at www.facebook.com/kathrynmckenziewriter.