Holistic Holiday Shopping
Ok ok, the term “holistic” is kind of overused these days but honestly, it is still relevant here because I’m encouraging you to think of the whole, the ultimate whole of existence that is being a child of Mother Earth, as you do your holiday shopping this year.
We all know the story; Save up all your extra cash to splurge on toys, tvs, and anything on Amazon daily deals during black Friday and then you’re set. Or maybe you’re moving on from buying junk for others and you want to give handmade gifts this year. Wherever you are in your evolution, please consider these 5 tips when gift-giving this holiday season:
Shop small. Our economy runs well when small businesses thrive. By shopping from small makers, creators and vendors online or in person, you are empowering them to continue following their passions and you’re keeping money out of the conglomerate brands like Walmart or Amazon that have more wealth than entire countries.
Shop local. Buy those handmade soaps from the lady down the street or those amazing cookie gift baskets that sold at the farmer’s market. Whenever you spend locally, you are providing for your extended community, ensuring that your neighbors, neighborhoods, and local environment can continue to support you as well.
Gift uniquely awesome experiences to your loved ones. No one needs 25 dragon figurines, amiright? So instead of buying another trinket to put on your grandma’s shelf, buy her a massage from a local healer, or gift your best friend a tarot card reading from a tarot reader you’ve been following on instagram all year. Last year I bought each person in my immediate family a trip to the Float Spa and they each got to try something new!
Stop purchasing single use plastic anything. If you have a new nephew and you just cant help but buy him toys, opt for the wooden puzzle, or the coloring book printed on recycled paper. Your baby sister doesn’t need a packet of 12 plastic headbands, one in every color, when she could have 12 ribbons or hats made of upcycled scraps from your local seamstress, or fabric store. Bonus points if you don’t buy bath and body products in plastic anymore either!
When all else fails, buy gift cards FROM SMALL BUSINESSES. Truly one of the easiest ways to guarantee that your gift will be well received in more ways than one. The small business owner receives a financial boost and your loved one gets to pick out exactly what they want. Win-win
Finally, if you’re someone who just wants to save the planet in all that you do, here is an extensive list of all my favorite spots that do something positive for the environment with each purchase:
Paper Culture plants a tree for every purchase made! Get your holiday cards printed here
4ocean pulls 1 pound of plastic out of the ocean for every bracelet purchased. They also have silver jewelry, Tshirts and more.
Fair Trade Winds offers a plethora of goodies made of upcycled materials, sustainably sourced woods and most of their items are handcrafted and fairly traded by people in other countries.
Shamans Market is one of my favorite online shops that also highlights fairly and ethically traded goods like sustainably sourced palo santo from naturally fallen trees—if you’re into that sort of thing :)
Ecosia is more than a search engine that plants trees, it also has a pretty sweet graphic tee collection
Sand Cloud has me lusting after beautifully printed beach towels and the best part? They give 10% of the profits to marine conservation
Ivory Ella has my heart because I love elephants, truly, madly, deeply and they donate up to 50% of their profits to Save the Elephants in many ways.
And finally if you’re looking for a way to support First Nations people, here is an extensive list of Native owned businesses to support
