Giving every child a pile of gifts as big as a planet for Christmas? What a dream!! Actually, it’s more the opposite that I’d like to talk to you about today. I know, it’s only November, and the Halloween decorations haven’t even been put away yet… But you’ll see, it’ll all make sense!
This year, I’d like to help extend the life of the planet—and, by extension, that of my children. Starting today and for all the holidays to come, I’d like to give them a brighter future. The chance to enjoy life’s good things for as long as possible, to discover the world and its beauty, and to encourage them to do the same with their own children when the time comes.
I’m no saint. I’ve often made choices that weren’t very eco-friendly… but you have to start somewhere, right? So I’ve decided to make a change this Christmas, and I think everyone will be very happy.
I’m telling you about this right away because some of the suggestions I have for you require a little research. So here are my 5 suggestions for a greener holiday season:
- Keep an eye on classified ads. My son needs pajamas: instead of buying just one new pair, we’re checking Marketplace and other sales sites and groups to find him a bunch of used ones. He’ll have more, and it’ll cost less—which is perfect for tight budgets! If you have a specific idea of what you want, I recommend starting to look right away. Classified ads are full of toys, clothes, and all kinds of items in very good condition that you’ll pay less for, saving on (excessive) packaging like cardboard, plastic, and stretch wrap—and avoiding large-scale shipping by air or sea.
- Pay attention to the materials. For those who absolutely want to buy new items—which I completely understand—I’ve been looking for wooden toys. There are several brands that make them, and luckily, they’re quite trendy in stores this year! Plus, they’re much more durable. You’d have to be very creative to actually break them, let’s say… There are also toys made from recycled materials or bamboo.
- Support the local market. Buying creations from artisans in your area has many benefits. You’re supporting a small local business, saving on long-distance shipping, and avoiding excessive packaging once again. Personally, I also find that these gifts have more character, since they’re handmade by a real person who put time into them. For example, even though they’re a bit more expensive than items at big-box stores, grow-with-me clothes are a really great option because they last for several years and are truly beautiful!
- Think about the wrapping. Last year, I found some gorgeous fabric gift bags. That meant I didn’t have to wrap my gifts in paper that isn’t recyclable. These bags will last me for several years. There’s also the option of using newspapers and flyers: for many people, they go straight from the bag to the recycling bin. This year, why not save a few to wrap your gifts? If you have little artists at home, they could even have fun turning your gifts into true works of personalized art!
- Give an experience rather than a material gift. My kids love going out to restaurants. My dad once gave us gift certificates to restaurants, and I loved the idea. We had a great time as a family and didn’t have to find room for yet another toy in the house. The options are endless: movie tickets, drawing, art, or dance classes, a day at the amusement park, tubing… the list goes on and on!