The holidays are a time of gathering. But it’s also the time of excess and increased consumerism, as people buy gifts for the sake of buying a gift. We’ve all been there. Deciding on the perfect gift that someone won’t throw away or end up returning is hard enough, but gift-giving with the environmentally conscious person in your life can be pretty frustrating.
Luckily, there are many gifts out there today that you can still give while also being eco-friendly. Many companies now create sustainably made, sourced, and packaged gifts that your loved ones will treasure for a long time. You don’t have to sacrifice sustainability this holiday season — or any season thereafter!
Here are a few of our favorites this 2024 holiday season.
6. Adopt an Animal (Symbolically)
Every kid at some point has always wanted a pet tiger, lion, or other wild species of animal. With organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the National Wildlife Federation, you can support protecting the habitats of your favorite animals while also giving a great plushie any kid would enjoy.
Both organizations use your donations to support vulnerable wildlife species and further their conservation work.
In short, it’s a super cute gift that does good for the planet and your kiddos.
8. Purchase Only Recycled Metal Jewelry
Mining for and processing the metal to create your earrings and necklaces presents clear environmental challenges:
- It disturbs the natural landscape
- It could contaminate the soil, water, and air
- It poses a risk to public safety
With recycled jewelry, companies use gold and silver already in circulation. There’s no extra mining, as they’re only reusing available materials to create something new. This concept is called a “closed loop” system, and it’s a pretty awesome way of doing business.
Our Final Tips for When Shopping
Other important tips to follow for eco-friendly shopping include:
- Shop cruelty-free
- Avoid single-use plastics
- If you can’t check if the packaging is recyclable
- Avoid fast fashion
- Skip cheaply made gifts
- Avoid kitschy gifts no one will use
Finally, sustainable shopping doesn’t mean sacrificing the quality of the gifts you give or spending more money to afford them. You’ve just got to be thoughtful with your shopping choices — the recipients of your gifts will thank you for it!
Sources:
- https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
- https://www.earthday.org/fact-sheet-single-use-plastics/#_ftn5
- https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/fair-trade-basics.html