The season of giving is upon us -- why not give a little love to Mother Earth, too? Below I have outlined 4 ways to be environmentally responsive this holiday season.
1. Gift Experiences Instead of Products
One of the simplest ways to gift mindfully is to give an experience. This might be a yoga studio membership, a guided helicopter tour for the recipient’s upcoming vacation, a ski pass (day or season), a clinic or retreat related to their hobbies, or even a body work (massage, acupuncture, etc) session. Experiences can be an awesome way to treat people to something they’d otherwise not do for themselves.
2. Limit the Number of Gifts You Purchase
Instead of purchasing multiple gifts per person, purchase each person a single larger gift. This not only reduces manufacturing and shipping impacts, but often also means that the one single gift is of greater quality and import to its receiver. If you really want to get creative, you can even think of how people on your list can be combined to receive a single gift -- for example, maybe your children collectively receive a trampoline from “Santa”.
3. Buy From Carbon-Neutral Companies
Some companies use carbon offsets that results in carbon-neutral manufacturing and shipping of their products. For example, United by Blue - which makes outdoor and everyday apparel - removes a pound of trash from the ocean and other waterways for every product sold. Forsake - a small, quality footwear company - purchases verified carbon credits to offset 100% of their emissions. Put in a little extra time to find and support companies that are supporting our planet, and your gift will benefit more than just the recipient.
Okay, I know this sounds lame, but how often have you received a gift that you barely (or never) use? Sometimes the smartest way to ensure a gift isn’t wasted is to let the recipient pick it out themselves. You can always get creative here by gifting them credit to a store they may not already be familiar with or have goods from. If you give a gift card to a fitness establishment, body work location, or even a restaurant, you include the gift of an experience, too, which can always be fun.
5. Wrap Gifts with Paper Found Around the House
Used paper bags, old newspapers, worn out maps, thin boxes turned inside out (eg - cereal or beer boxes)...These can all be used to wrap presents in cute ways that don’t require the consumption of additional paper sources. Keep with the style by using hemp as the ribbon (as pictured above).
There are so many things we can do to enjoy the season of giving while also remaining mindful of our planet. If there are methods you use that aren’t listed above, I’d love to hear them! Share a post tagging myself, @brooke_being , as well as @fitflexyfolk and we will share your ideas with the FFF community. Happy Holidays!