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Christmas gifts have changed quite a bit in recent years, people have less money to spend and consumers are much more aware of the impact their purchases have on both the environment and society. Let’s face it, there are a host of holidays to consider, including Christmas, birthdays, secretary’s day, anniversaries, and Valentine’s. Gift-giving doesn’t end there: when we’re invited to a dinner party, for example, we often feel compelled to bring a long gift.

The collective impact of these special days and events can be enormous. Christmas alone is responsible for 25% more waste being sent to landfills. Halloween is actually responsible for more waste than Christmas. Recognizing the incredible waste that is generated, the urgency to do something becomes clear. When shopping for gifts, look for the greenest option available to you, for example, if it is made locally, uses recycled materials, the packaging is recyclable, the company uses solar or wind energy, etc. If you choose to buy electronic products, consider those that are powered by solar or rechargeable batteries.

Conscious shoppers tend to embrace practical, long-lasting, and eco-friendly gifts that can provide some form of convenience or financial benefit. At the same time, it is good to find ways to ease the guilt you feel during special days due to high consumption, wrapping paper, and travel activities. Here’s a short list of frugal and eco-friendly ideas to inspire your gift shopping this year. If some of these seem too small, consider combining some of these items in an eco-friendly gift basket. Most thrift stores have stacks of beautiful baskets waiting for the creative shopper.

For the homeowner – A thermostat control that automatically lowers the heat at night, a low-flow shower head, and tubes of caulk or weatherstripping supplies. Dimmer switches, energy efficient lighting (CFL or LED); Yellow bulbs are perfect for outdoor lighting because they attract fewer insects. Hot water tank insulation kits and hot water pipe insulation kits are also great ideas. Consider also including some electrical socket and light switch insulation kits (small foam inserts that go behind the socket and switch covers found on the exterior walls).

For the gardener – A subscription to an organic gardening magazine, or save a variety of seeds from extinction on behalf of your friend, or create a membership for a seed organization. Bird, bat and butterfly houses, baths and feeders, or patterns to build them make a wonderful gift. Alternatively, consider compost bins, worm bins, gift certificates for a nursery, or a membership with an environmental group.

Give services – Instead of giving an item that needs to be wrapped, consider purchasing tickets to a performance, restaurant gift certificates, or services like lawn care, cleaning, music lessons, exercise or dance classes, tune-up, or rotation services of tires. Don’t forget to look at dog walking, babysitting and massages, spas or gyms when looking for gift certificates. All of these ideas will help you support the local businesses you believe in, while also providing something the recipient can really benefit from.

Give food – Homemade preserves, such as dehydrated or canned foods, make excellent gifts. There are many people who find cooking cumbersome and appreciate ready-to-cook frozen meals like lasagna, pasta, and casseroles. Almost everyone appreciates sandwiches and desserts. Fill reusable mason jars with all the dry ingredients for a recipe like cookies or brownies, and include instructions for baking at your convenience. Keep in mind that buying cashew nuts from Brazil supports the rainforests. Healthy food baskets are another wonderful idea to consider, especially if they contain samples from local producers.

Plants – Live plants clean the air and provide a wonderful atmosphere. Maybe you have plants, or you know someone, that you could cut or divide, root, and plant those new plants to share with your friends. Unique flower pots and containers can be found in most thrift and thrift stores.

Books – Most of us realize the benefits of literacy and support for local businesses. You can do both by choosing to buy books as a gift this year by supporting your local bookstore and local authors. However, you can also leave a legacy with your own book. This could be a journal, a collection of poetry, a family tree that you have researched, or even a family cookbook. Perhaps you could consider including quotes from family members or people you admire and possibly some favorite family photos.

Alternative gifts – A reusable coffee filter and whole organic coffee beans make a nice gift for coffee lovers. Consider slippers and sweaters, as the recipient is less likely to turn up the thermostat. Choose toys and games with positive environmental or educational values ​​and those that emphasize cooperation, exploration, or creative thinking.

Consider purchasing a set of sturdy, square-bottomed, reusable, and washable shopping bags. There are many varieties to choose from, including those created from recycled plastic bottles, coffee bag material, renewable crops like bamboo or hemp, and many other eco-friendly options. How many bags per recipient? Generally, 12 bags are likely to cover most shopping activities for a family of 2-3, while 6-8 bags are appropriate for one person.

Go one step further and buy a set of mesh produce bags; this gift will reduce or eliminate the need to use the clear bags offered in the produce department of the grocery store. These are washable, clear, and made from a very fine mesh material, with almost zero weight, so they won’t affect cost when scaled in the box.

Do you want another option to reduce plastic waste? Consider gifting a set of stainless steel straws. They are dishwasher safe and will eliminate the need for plastic straws.

The tree: Gift or buy a living tree, or sponsor a non-profit organization that will plant one in honor of your friend. If you’ve purchased a live Christmas tree, you can donate it to people with space on your land, city, schools, or parks when the season is over. Alternatively, plant it in your own garden for privacy, summer shade, or soil and water erosion control. Trees are incredibly beneficial to pollinators and birds, and they are very effective at removing carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, ozone, and nitrogen oxides from our air.

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