Twenty days until Christmas and I have some excited feels and some frustrated feels. I'm super excited because I love just celebrating the holidays with friends and family and doing fun things like ice skating and putting up decorations. And I especially love what the holiday was originally designed for.
I'm frustrated by the fact that Christmas has turned into a perfect example of American consumerism. I dislike this so much and yet I've fallen into it over and over again. I keep participating in it because it's too easy to just complain about it, it's harder to try to figure out some real ways to combat this problem. Well, this holiday season, I'm going to try to be a little more intentional. Here's a list of some ideas that will help you give and receive better gifts.
1. Ditch the wrapping paper. $3.2 billion. U.S. News reported that Hallmark's research found that's the amount Americans spend a year on wrapping paper. The UN estimated that we need to spend $30 billion a year to end world hunger. That sounds like a lot until we consider the fact that we're spending one tenth of that a year on stuff we literally just buy to throw away. Not only is it a waste of money, but think about the trees! Green Blizzard estimates we cut down about 100,000 trees a year for wrapping paper in the U.S. That's a lot of trees. So this year, save (or better yet, donate) those extra bucks and wrap your gifts in newspaper or beautiful cloth instead.
2. Ask for ethically made jewelry and clothes. In countries without strict labor laws it is estimated that 250 million children, ages 5-14, work in sweatshops. 22 million of those children will die annually due to work conditions. Conditions are brutal. Workers are often kept in buildings that aren't kept up to code and there have even been instances where buildings have collapsed on workers. Employees are often times forced to work through the night and through injury. The pay is too low for poverty to ever be alleviated, usually around $200 a year. And while many companies say they aren't using sweatshops many times their factories outsource to sweatshops to keep costs down because fast-fashion companies continue to lower prices. (Watch The True Cost on Netflix to learn more.) Instead, ask for clothes that are made in a country with strict labor laws like the U.S., Australia, etc. Or that are labelled Fair Trade. These clothes aren't that hard to find, type it into a search engine and bunches will pop up. Also, there are some specialty stores that focus on this. And a great way to also do this is shop local! Many local boutiques carry some clothes that are either made in the U.S. or are Fair Trade (just check the tags). And some local shops make their own items.
3. Give outside gifts. We trap ourselves inside because we are more excited about the idea of our technology than what's around us, but going outside can be so good for us! It's good exercise, it relaxes us, and it gives us an appreciation for our one, beautiful planet. Give gifts that get people excited to go outside whether that be a sled, new hiking boots, a backpacking backpack, climbing gear, a kayak, whatever, just something that makes you want to breathe in fresh air.
4. Ask for gifts that support a cause. Ask for a cute stuffed animal you get when you donate to World Wildlife Fund. Sponsor a child through World Vision. Donate to OXFAM to educate a refugee. One year I donated to an organization that reminded me of each member of my family from Peace Players that uses sports to bring people together in warring countries to a group that enabled mothers in Rwanda to start successful farms. Ask people to donate to an organization they think embodies you.
5. Go vegan for beauty products. First of all, you'll be avoiding products that are harmful to your skin. Vegan products also generally try to use more environmentally packaging and ingredients, just one more thing to lower your carbon footprint. And of course, they aren't inflicting unnecessary pain onto an animal.
6. Go second-hand for stocking stuffers. Thrift stores are full of goodies. Buy an old vinyl for your cousin. Buy a beautiful vase for your grandma. Find a crazy painting or sweater for your sister. No one else will be getting these gifts and you won't have to break the bank either. Also, you'll be reusing and reducing waste, yay sustainability! And, many thrift stores donate a good portion of the money they receive to charity, you're donating and buying at the same time, it's a win win.
7. Used books. Grandpa and you may not agree on everything but you can both agree on a fantastic book. Buy a book, read it, pass it along. Or buy two of the same book used and read them at the same time. This is a great way for bonding. And books keep the mind working.
8. DIY like a pro. There are so many sustainable DIY projects. Maybe someone finally moved into their first big kid pad but that means they also probably don't have any Christmas decorations yet, this is a perfect opportunity to string popcorn and make ornaments out of flour and water. Also, just look up sustainable DIY projects and you'll get tons of ideas.
9. Experiences are the best gifts. Go to a play with your sister. Skydive with your brother. Take a cooking class with your best friend. We all get material goods at Christmas but experiences are underrated gifts. I would love for someone to spend money on taking me for a massage or to bounce on trampolines at Sky Zone. Even better if the experiences are funding the arts like tickets to an art show or the symphony. And it's best if you can get it for you and the other person, it's about quality time with someone and sharing experiences. Materials are good for awhile but memories live on.
10. Ditch the list and go for guidelines. The original idea of gift giving is actually pretty cool, finding things that you think someone you love will appreciate. But lists don't allow for any connection, they tell someone exactly what you want, they don't get to express their love for you by finding you something wonderful. This year I'm going for guidelines instead. Many of which are included on this list. I can buy myself the backpack I need, I'd much rather see what kind of surprises my mom finds that express her love towards me and how she sees me.
BONUS. This isn't exactly a gift but what they go under. Plastic trees only last several years before they go into a dump and sit for eternity because plastic never dies (okay not literally, but basically). Real trees are chopped down just to sit in the living room for a few weeks. Now, my family is not going to give up buying a Christmas tree this year, and that's okay, I still love having a tree but maybe in return I'll plant a tree too. There's so many creative ideas for Christmas trees. I've seen people make them out of items they found in recycling bins. One family in our neighborhood would buy a baby every green and then after Christmas they planted it in a row next to past years which is a very cool way to mark every Christmas.
I don't want to be so frustrated about Christmas this year and feel helpless, I want to take some actions, even if they're small. And what better way to set yourself up for a new year than by ending your last in an intentional way. No one is perfect and not every gift will fit your guidelines but it's about trying to be better and maybe even showing those you love a different way to do things and start a trend. This holiday season I want to be more intentional so I can bask in the full joy of Christmas and feel like maybe I can fully appreciate the celebrations just a little better. Happy holidays friends!
