 |
| Photo from Unsplash.com |
While browsing some shops this past weekend, I found it easy to get wrapped up for a few minutes in the excitement and hustle of the holidays. The stores are filled with glittery decorations, a magnitude of gift options, countless stocking stuffers and everything you need to have a holly jolly Christmas.
Or at least everything you think you need.
With the mass consumption and commercialization that traditionally goes hand in hand with Christmas, it's hard to imagine how the words "ethical" and "Christmas" can be used in the same sentence.
I'll admit, it took a lot of energy to walk away from the shops empty handed (okay, mostly empty handed - I'm still working on it). I had one or two rolls of adorable wrapping paper in my hand and was heavily eyeing up the fair isle flannel bedsheets.
Before checking out I did what I always do when shopping - I asked myself if I really needed these items.
How would these items benefit my life? How would purchasing these items effect me, and the world? Were these items made ethically or with the environment in mind? Do I have something I could use at home already instead?
And then I put everything back on the shelf. I don't need new wrapping paper or winter themed bedsheets to be happy this holiday season.
What I do need to be happy is to make choices I feel good about. This includes aspiring to make more informed and ethical choices - during the holiday season and year round.
While I don't expect you to follow everything on this list, even doing a few of these things can make a better impact on the world.
1) Instead of buying new wrapping paper, challenge yourself to use only things you have at home.
This could range from old newspapers, scrap fabric, old tea towels to construction paper, yarn and left over ribbons for bows. Here's a great article on some other eco-friendly wrapping ideas!
2) If you do decide to buy wrapping paper, make sure it's recyclable.
You may be surprised but most wrapping paper on the market (shiny, laminated paper) is in fact, non-recyclable! This means tonnes of garbage is made around the world on Christmas morning. Brown paper (which is often made from recycled paper to begin with) is your best bet and has limitless decoration opportunities.
3) Borrow holiday decorations, or purchase from a thrift store.
There are literally tons of Christmas lights and decorations already in existence. Most of these sadly will eventually end up in a landfill - or they could end up on your tree!
4) Buy less, buy good, or buy nothing.
The less you purchase, the less resources are being used and the less that will (again) end up in a landfill. If you do make a purchase, consider if it can be recycled (right down to the packaging!) or if it was made ethically (more on this below). Buying nothing is of course, the best option.
5) Shop from small businesses or ethical brands.
There are a lot of great brands out there that support a charity cause, or are made ethically and with the earth in mind. Here's a great list of ethical clothing brands. One of my favourite ethical and green clothing brands is Encircled - they offer luxuriously soft eco-fabrics in classic designs - and everything is made in Canada! Likewise, Etsy is a great place to find homemade gifts and support local small brands. You can even find me on there!
6) Help out a charity cause.
Donate to a local food bank, sponsor a child or animal, volunteer at a soup kitchen, or fill up a stocking for someone less fortunate. Love is meant to be shared - not just at Christmas but year round. A generous heart can change the world.
7) Visit with an elderly person.
It's a difficult time of year for many and the elderly are no exception. Whether you visit an elderly home or say something kind to someone you meet on the street, it could really make a difference in a persons life.
8) Make sure to recycle holiday cards.
Since millions of cards are sent each year, it's important to keep them out of landfills! To make an even more eco-friendly open - go paperless instead.
9) When considering gifts for children, consider starting a fund for them instead of toys.
The average child collects a lot of toys and clothes over the years, most of which are quickly outgrown and take up a lot of space. While a few fun things are okay, it's important to invest in their future, too! Maybe a college fund?
10) Make more gifts.
Baked goods, a knitted scarf, DIY body scrub...the list goes on! With homemade gifts, you'll never have to worry about what the ingredients are, how the item was made and who made it - it's all you!
Remember, every dollar you spend is a vote towards the world you want to live in. Making more ethical choices this holiday season is a great way to vote for a better world - one that's based on ethical practices and is gentle on the environment. Having a more ethical Christmas is giving the gift of the future to many. Be generous with it.
Brittany
@simplylynne
No comments:
Post a Comment