Happy Sustainable Holidays! 

Growing up in the 70s in a large Irish Catholic family that was just one generation removed from the deprivations of the Great Depression, Christmas was a time to make up for the lean times and boy did we go big! One day wasn’t enough to open all the presents, and so we started with stockings the night before. Christmas morning was a frenzied blur of wrapping paper flying in all directions as my siblings, cousins and I tore through present after present, barely pausing to appreciate any individual gift. 

Americans spend over half a billion dollars on holiday shopping, with the average shopper spending about $1,638 on gifts, travel , and entertainment. Surveys show that many holiday gifts are unwanted, either going unused or in the trash, with one study finding that this annual holiday shopping spree causes 23% more household waste than in other months. 

As a young adult and budding environmentalist, I started to question the wastefulness of excessive consumption, especially as I witnessed my nieces and nephews carrying on the gluttonous holiday traditions of my childhood. 

And so, one Christmas I decided to teach them all a valuable lesson (you can see where this is going). Instead of yet more plastic junk I gave each niece and nephew a charity gift card that they could use to support a good cause of their choosing. I quickly went from the most popular uncle to persona non grata. I suppose when you’re 10, you really do just want that Barbie or Transformer. 

1. Give the gift of experiences. Workshops, classes, and experiences make great gifts. One study found that experiential gifts foster stronger social relationships than material gifts and make people happier. How about a class at Chautauqua this summer? 
2. Local foods. Support your local farmers’ markets and shops with a beautiful basket of fresh foods and gourmet items. Check out the National Farmers Market Directory for markets in your area. 
3. Zero-plastic starter kit. It’s taken me years to replace single-use plastic home and personal care products with plastic-free alternatives. How about helping a friend or loved one jump-start their zero-plastic journey? See list and links below for companies that sell zero-plastic home and personal care products. 
4. Upcycled gifts: I love the idea of repurposing old items that would otherwise be discarded. If you’re crafty, you can “upcycle” items from your home, turning trash into treasures. Or check out upcycled gifts at Uncommon Goods, Etsy, and other online retailers, or go “thrifting” at your local Good Will (my daughter’s favorite way to shop). 
5. Eco-friendly wrapping: Whatever gift you choose to give, consider avoiding traditional wrapping paper. The United States produces 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper every year, and half of that—approximately 2.3 million pounds—winds up in landfills. Of course, of course, has some wonderful alternatives that look gorgeous and help save the planet. Martha Stewart, of course, has some wonderful alternatives that look gorgeous and help save the planet.

Oh, and for those of you brave enough to consider charity gift cards for the young people in your life, I highly recommend ‘TisBest (but maybe lay a little foundation ahead of time about the value of charitable giving). I hope you all have a wonderous and joyful holiday season!