eco-chic

RuMe Reusable Gift Bags at Delight.com

I don’t like gift guides.  And while I’m being brutally honest, I’m not much of a fan of the holiday season as it is “interpreted” today; I have a hard time with the idea that that people should receive gifts JUST because it’s a “holiday” like Christmas or Hanukkah (especially Hanukkah – giving gifts is not a traditional part of that holiday).  I’m so disheartened by stories of people getting trampled to death at Wal-Mart on black Friday by shoppers who are waiting in line to be the first to get the “it” toy of the season for their children, or a flat-screen TV, or other random cheap sh*t, and then hearing stories after the New Year of families now broke because they bought toys for their children for Christmas.  Come on…is THAT what it’s all about?

The rampant UNCONSCIOUS spending that characterizes the American consumer only gets worse during the holiday season, and instead of questioning it, most people just go along with it, because that’s what’s expected of them. Or they will feel guilty if they don’t participate somehow.  I get it.  I also participate in a small way for the sake of my family.  But you know what I usually give my nephew? I give him my old shoe boxes, packaging tape, paper clips, more tape, and even more tape.  And he is happy.  Part of being more environmentally-friendly is not buying anything without thinking about it (for big purchases, I always wait 24 hours to buy), so every gift I buy is something I’ve really put effort into.  And if I don’t want to, or if I can’t financially, I don’t buy gifts for people.  Or I find alternatives.  Gift buying seems always to be stressful.  Why? Because the gift-givers feel pressure to do it; they really feel like they have to buy gifts for people or else.  Or else what?

Gift-giving should be about your love for the person you’re giving to, and your desire to give them something they’d love and appreciate.  It’s definitely NOT about a specific date (or dates) on the calendar.  But, I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking: wait a minute – you (Grechen) run several websites/blogs that ENCOURAGE people to buy and spend more money using coupons, etc., how can you all of the sudden start encouraging people NOT to buy? huh?

My answer is this: if you read my “manifesto” you’ll see that I struggle with this periodically, but have come to terms with the fact that we are a capitalist society and we are consumers.  What I constantly try to encourage now is thoughtful consumerism: if you’re going to buy, buy on sale, buy only what you need, buy ONLY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD, and buy online.  I believe that’s been a consistent message on Green Grechen & Grechen’s Closet for quite some time now.  My goal has always been to provide my visitors with all the information to make 100% informed buying decisions, but I am NOT responsible for someone making a bad financial decision and going into debt purchasing something I posted on any of my websites; that’s just silly.

So, with all that out of the way, on to the Gift Guide.  Seriously, if you must give gifts this holiday season, at least be conscious of WHY you’re giving gifts, and what you are giving; make your gift meaningful to the recipient and friendly towards the environment; don’t waste your time & money, fuel, and precious resources buying lots of stuff for lots of people just because you have to.  If you really think about it though, that which is most meaningful to a loved one is something that money cannot buy…

But here are some things that money CAN buy:

The gift that keeps on giving: a Kiva gift certificate – I am a HUGE fan of this organization because 1. you’re giving someone a loan, not a handout and 2. you’re supporting micro-businesses in under-developed countries who would otherwise not have much of a chance. I can spend hours on Kiva browsing through businesses seeking loans; you can search for entrepreneurs you’d like to support based on gender, type of business, country, etc., and then choose how much you’d like to loan (minimum $25). Give this as a gift and the recipient will be the one to choose who they want the money to go to. Talk about paying it forward…

The “they never knew they needed it, but can’t live without it” gift: Reusable shopping bags & SIGG water bottles – I received a BAGGU bag as a gift several months ago and I can’t live without it now. It was a small gesture, but one I appreciate nearly every day. I hardly ever need to use a plastic or paper sack anymore, and since the BAGGU is concealed in it’s own little pouch, I always have it with me in my purse. My SIGG bottles, I purchased myself, but I’ve given more than a handful as gifts. I haven’t used a plastic water bottle in 10 months – and this may be a little obsessive, but if I’m out and have forgotten my water bottle, I cannot bring myself to purchase a plastic bottle. Which is why I nearly ALWAYS have one of my bottles with me. If you know a coffee drinker who commutes, another great gift would be a reusable coffee mug.

The extra-special gift: Yeah, so this is a little cliche, but consider baked goods as a gift. I always bake my father cookies and bring them when I go to visit and he talks about them every year. I love to bake, and I love to feed people, so this is perfect for me. Be creative with your packaging and make a variety of things, and they’ll be so impressed they’ll never realize you spent next to no money, and be grateful for the time and love you put into your gift.  Also, think about buying vintage or handmade this holiday – you’ll be re-loving something on which resources have already been used up, and/or supporting independent designers who produce in limited qualities.

Don’t get lost in all the hype of the holiday gift guides out there…especially the “eco-friendly” gift guides.  There’s a lot of cute stuff out there, and I’d be tempted to buy most of it if I could, but I don’t need it, do you? Do your gift recipients need it? That’s all I’m saying…just think about it.

Happy Holidays everyone!!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }