Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period than any other time of year. The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage. Are you on the path to sustainability but grappling with the excess of the holiday season? Let's talk about some ideas to help you reconcile your holiday season with taking care of the planet.
Gift giving is changing. People are gifting more second-hand items over the past several holiday seasons. Resale businesses are getting ready for their biggest season yet. It’s easier on the wallet and a holiday gift to our planet all wrapped up in one nice big sustainable bow with a card that says “I love you, and I love your planet.” There is nothing more aligned with the spirit of the season than considering the impact our choices have on the world our children and grandchildren will inherit.
For gifts, think about distinctive collectibles, beautiful old books, vintage jewelry, unique upcycled art and antique household items. You can support local businesses and cut out shipping and extra packaging by shopping local. For upscale art, jewelry, and decor, take a look at Grandview Mercantile (owned by a Bexley resident!), and Peacock Lane Home (Worthington). For unique upcycled stocking stuffers and small gifts visit Glean (Short North). Check out Flower Child (Short North) for fun decor and clothing. Second Chance (Grandview) has a solid cashmere sweater section, handbags and hats. I’ve purchased many preowned toys on our very own For Sale Bexley on Facebook! If you’re trying to shop from home this holiday season, you can also browse shops like Etsy, Ebay, or ThredUp. ThredUp offers goody boxes and you can opt for a seasonal theme.
Many of our Bexley businesses offer sustainable gift choices as well. For the yogi in your life, buy a virtual membership or class series to Bexley Yoga. Purchase a gift card from roll: for your bicycle enthusiast or newbie rider that can go towards a bike, cycling gear or service. Bexley’s Urban Emporium works with 100 local artists offering items made from repurposed materials and recycled artwork. They now have a website shopurbanemporium.com, deliver within 43209 for no fee and offer appointments for customers. Bexley Pizza Plus offers gift certificates (and all pizza boxes are compostable). Harvest Pizzeria offers gift certificates and most of their to go containers are now compostable!
Another sustainable option is a donation to a charity that speaks to the recipient's heart. Giving to a charity restores the idea that the holidays are about helping others. This is also an idea for the person who seems to have everything. Visit give.org to discover hundreds of accredited charities.
Now that you've collected all your gifts, let’s talk gift wrap! Wrapping paper is single use and the majority isn’t recyclable. If every family reused two feet of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the planet. And, if every family wrapped 3 presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. There are many alternatives to wrapping paper: paper bags, fabric, comics, old road maps, silk scarves, boxes, tubes, and cookie tins are ideal for holding presents. You can get your kids involved—have them decorate paper bags to use as wrapping!
For a sustainable and elegant option, wrap your gift Furoshiki style! This Japanese tradition uses beautiful, reusable materials such as scarves, tea towels, fabric samples, bandanas or tablecloths as a chic fabric wrap. The textile can be a part of the gift, taking on new life as a scarf, wall hanging or table décor. Urban Emporium sells Furoshiki cloths made from repurposed materials and there are heaps of online tutorials to learn this wrapping technique. Try wrapping a present or two using Furoshiki this year and include instructions on how to tie as part of your gift. This ensures your Furoshiki has a chance of being passed on and spreading an eco-friendly fabric wrapping message on its' journey.
A wonderful, sustainable holiday to you and yours!
Thank you, Betty Brown for wrapping this gift so beautifully Furoshiki style!