Christmas is certainly a time of giving – but unfortunately, it is also a time of great waste. In fact, an estimated $101 worth of Christmas presents are returned each year in the US alone, some of which end up in landfills.
Given that many of us are becoming more environmentally conscious, it makes sense that people are being more cautious about the gifts they buy. “We really need to start thinking about the deeper impact of the items we choose to give away and their footprint on the planet,” Cora Hilts, founder of sustainable e-tailer Rêve En Vert, told Vogue . “I am a firm believer that meaningful gifts can have a positive impact, but can also have a very large negative impact if we shop mindlessly.”
Below, see six expert-approved Tips on how to give more mindfully this Christmas.
Think more
Don’t panic buying things at the last minute, give yourself some time to think about everyone may really want something. “It’s tempting to give gifts to our loved ones during the holidays, but it often leads us to buy items that are quickly forgotten or thrown away,” said Rebecca van Bergen, founder and executive director of Nest, a Support artisans around the world say.
“Thinking is more important than cost,” adds stylist Amy Bannerman. “A friend of mine had a classic Ralph Lauren knit that she spent all her money on as a teenager; she wore it until it fell apart. I bought her the exact same , she burst into tears when she opened it.”
Go get the experience gift
Stop product from ending up in the trash One way to landfill is by buying the gift of an experience—whether it’s a voucher for a loved one’s favorite restaurant, or tickets to a concert or theater. “These are one of my favorite types of gifts and ones my husband and I usually commit to,” explains Shields. “I always make sure these experiences are as sustainable as possible. In London, for example, we used to book dinner at Spring by Skye Gyngell, a seasonal, organic and plastic-free restaurant. hand
As second-hand shopping becomes more popular, the stigma of gifting a loved one is starting to fade. “If you think someone might be on the fence about an old love, giving an antique might be a safer place to start, Because somehow it seems less stigmatizing and more luxurious,” advises second-hand obsessive Bannerman. “For home lovers, you can find amazing pieces on eBay – I just sold them for £ got a ceramic palm tree table lamp for the price I was looking forward to. “
Invest in sustainable conscious brands
If you’re shopping for a new product, look for Brands that are doing their best to reduce their environmental footprint. “It’s much easier to give the gift of intentional gifting by simply supporting small, independent and ethical businesses that often do all the work for you,” comments Shilts. “They Their packaging has been minimal and as sustainable as possible, they produce products of high quality and long life, and they are thinking deeply about their impact on the planet. “
Supporting Artisans
It’s also important to consider the social impact of your gift – the holiday season is a time to support A great time for local businesses and craftspeople.”Crafts are one of the largest employers of women in the world, often enabling them to work from home and take care of their families while earning an income,” says Van Bergen. While online marketplaces allow you to access , but you can also check out closer to home through local craft markets and boutiques.
OPT TO DONATE TO CHARITY
Perhaps in the spirit of giving, you can donate to your family love one’s favorite charity or local food bank this Christmas – instead of buying Something that might end up being thrown away. Hilts concludes: “I think a lot of us have lost our sense [of] what Christmas should be because of the crazy spending right now around the holidays. “
