It’s gift giving season for many folks around the world. Giving gifts can be a sign of love, generosity, and gratefulness; and none of what I’m about to say invalidates the intangible values that giving someone a gift carries.
However, the holiday season (from Thanksgiving through New Year’s) produces an incredible amount of waste. The average American produces around 25% more waste during this period than usual, and for most people, this has just become an accepted reality of the season. I’d like to push back against that, so for the next three weeks, I’ll be writing about advice on responsible gift giving. These blogs are short, so each week will have a single tip regarding different topics associated with sustainable gifting (tips that can definitely be applied for any other gift you’re thinking about throughout the year).
The best starting place for any sustainability adventure is the first R in the fairly well-known (notorious?) phrase, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Does that mean purchasing fewer gifts or buying for fewer people than usual? It could, but it doesn’t have to. Using the spirit of reducing consumption, focus on reducing unnecessary consumption. In other words, be intentional about the gifts you buy (and ask for). If you’re going to buy someone a gift, ask them what they want/need, and stick to it. Be willing to provide a list of suggestions if someone asks you. Alternatively, be comfortable providing cash or a gift card if you don’t know what someone wants. And while the compulsion to purchase $1 stocking stuffers is incredibly sympathetic, just say no. The goal here is to reduce the waste that comes from giving (and receiving) gifts that may end up in either the trash or a second hand store. While the feelings we share by giving a gift could be invaluable, that generosity doesn’t have to be exclusively expressed through giving gifts.
What’s next? “Responsible Gifting - Finding a Sustainable Gift”
