Most of us would agree that reducing consumption is a good thing–but we still want to indulge over Christmas!
Check out the spoof preacher “Reverend Billy” and his troupe of activist actors—dubbed the “ Church of Stop Shopping”—as they roam big box stores. Fired with anti-consumerist zeal, they perform skits like exorcising cash registers.
If replacing the seasonal glitz with homemade relish and chunky home-knitted socks does not appeal to you, worry not and follow these handy tips:
- Creatively reduce wrapping.
- Cut down on “stuff” by giving certificates for services like massage, or start an alternative gift registry!
- Chose from a wealth of low-carbon gift options at antique and collectibles stores.
- Buy green gifts – from gadgets to organic Levi’s.
Looking for stocking stuffers?
Check out our wallet-sized SeaChoice cards, which rank seafood according to sustainability. The cards are printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Have a very merry green Christmas. :)
I’ve heard about this production a few weeks ago. A great way to give presents that would reduce material accumulation is your massage suggestion. This actually got me started on thinking about other services people can tap into. A certificate from an auto repair shop might be good for an uncle who needs a little tuning with his car. Or what about hiring a chef as a gift for the family this Christmas?
Hi Jay,
There are lots of great ideas that we can come up with for gifting like the ones you mention.
We celebrate Winter Solstice and the kind of “product” gifts we exchange with friends are primarily things we make like homemade soaps, bath oil, massage oil, kindling bundles, homemade jams, jellies, preserves, small wood carvings and other crafts.
We also exchange “services” such as house sitting, pet sitting, house minding and plant watering during holidays, massages, haircuts, live music performances for special occasions, small engine repair, lawn cutting, tree pruning, firewood splitting, garden work, a catered dinner, etc.
The bottom line is that we exchange what we do or what we make: we do not rush off to the big box stores and buy, buy, buy.
Thanks for stopping in. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.