“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Winston Churchill
It’s game-on for the annual holiday hustle. This time of year, we are bombarded constantly with ads for the perfect gifts. As a minimalist, I have always struggled with the commercialization of the holiday season, but I also know exchanging gifts is an important part of the of the tradition. That got me thinking about holiday gift giving with climate change in mind.
What does gift giving have to do with climate change? A lot, actually. Everything we buy requires energy to produce and transport. And since Americans spent $936 billion during the 2022 holiday season, that’s a lot of stuff and a lot of CO2. Hopefully our gifts will be enjoyed and used. But let’s face it, many will end up in the trash or shoved into a closet, and all that money and energy will have been wasted.
Holiday gift giving
Sustainability is definitely trending. But the concept doesn’t exactly go hand-in-hand with the excesses of this season. Luckily, there are some gifts that make less impact on the planet than others. I’ve included some ideas below. One important note – I am not endorsing any products, nor am I paid for the links provided.
Rewiring America is a non-profit that educates people about how to reduce carbon emissions and electrify their lives. They just came out with a clever “Bye gas, buy electric” gift guide. Some of the ideas include electric lawn tools, eBikes, electric blankets, and smokers. Each of these saves the owner money, while at the same time helping the planet by cutting carbon emissions.
Holiday gifts ideas with climate change in mind:
- Experiences – gift card for an activity, class, membership, concert, etc.
- Consumables – give homemade food, or shop locally for edible specialties like olive oil, honey, and wine
- Donation to a charity in honor of the recipient – most charities will provide a card to send
- Electric appliances (see above)
- Slow fashion – if buying clothing, try a sustainable company that fits your budget
- Plastic-free gifts – this is obviously a challenge with young kids, but there are options
- Time – giving the gift of your time to a family member or friend can be more meaningful than anything you can buy
Wishing you a happy and peaceful holiday season! I am grateful for your interest in my blog and appreciate your support.
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.