It’s nearly that time again–the season of twinkly lights, joyful jingles, comforting foods, and exchanging gifts with loved ones near and far. But amidst so much beauty and excitement, there is also a significant amount of avoidable waste.
Here are 10 ways you can celebrate sustainability this holiday season by reducing the harmful impact of the season and creating a more just and sustainable world.
Sustainable Gifts
TIP #1: GIFTS THAT IMPROVE LIVELIHOODS
Like many SHI partnering farmers in Panama, Ruperto Valdez and his daughter are also skilled artisans who weave the traditional Panama hat to generate extra income for their family. El Limón, Panama.
Handmade gifts are often the best gifts because they’re one of a kind and support small businesses and local artisans. Look for local marketplaces where artisans sell their creations in your community, or you can shop at online stores like Uncommon Goods that source from women-owned businesses, among others. If you’re interested in handmade items from around the world, SERRV International is a non-profit that carries thousands of beautiful handmade and fair trade certified items.
A gift to Sustainable Harvest International also helps improve the livelihoods of farmers in Central America while restoring degraded land.
Restore an acre for $100 or help plant a school garden that will improve child nutrition for $250.
TIP #2: GIFTS THAT ARE SECOND HAND
Kate Herndon, SHI’s Director of Development, loves shopping at local thrift stores for second hand toys and books for her son. Kate says, “He receives so many new gifts from family during the holidays that it feels overwhelming to buy him even more new things. Thrift stores give toys and books a second (or third) life, and he doesn’t know the difference.”
TIP #3: GIFTS THAT LET THE RECIPIENT CHOOSE
SHI partnering farmer María Balbina’s twin boys, Félix Antonio and Antonio Félix, from the community of Aguas Claras, Panama.
Instead of buying a gift that might go unused, consider giving a gift certificate or gift card to a local business where your loved one can get something they truly love. We highly recommend reaching out to farmers markets, bakeries, nurseries, or bookstores to see if they provide gift certificates.
Unfortunately, many businesses still only offer gift cards made from PVC plastic, which is not always recyclable curbside. Ask the business if they offer a recycling program, and if not, recommend Terracycle’s program to them (zero-waste bags and boxes are available for individuals and businesses). As always, we recommend limiting the amount of single-use plastic whenever you possibly can!
TIP #4: GIFTS THAT ARE HOMEMADE
Mira Kohl, SHI’s Communications Manager, loves making homemade gifts for her friends and loved ones. Mira says, “This year, I think I’m going to turn all my scotch bonnet peppers into hot sauces and share them with folks.” Homemade treats like sauces, breads, baked goods, soups, and freezable casserole dishes bring joy without producing significant waste. Don’t forget to also give the recipe!
TIP #5: GIFTS FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS IT ALL
There are plenty who reject the idea of a gift because they say they have all they need or want. A donation to a charity is always a thoughtful way to honor a loved one, especially if there’s a cause near and dear to their heart. Time is also a wonderful gift, and you can help secure that time by gifting a membership to a local nature center, museum, or arts center.
SUSTAINABLE WRAPPING
TIP #6: BOX IT UP!
SHI partnering farmer Marcela Yam of Patchakan, Belize loves ornamental plants and is a creative genius when it comes to reusing her plastic containers.
Instead of buying gift boxes and tissue paper, you likely have plenty of supplies in your home that you can reuse instead. Dry good boxes from the pantry (cereal, cracker) make great gift boxes, as do toiletry boxes from bar soap and toothpaste. Lipstick and chapstick boxes hold small stocking stuffers or cash. Shoeboxes are sturdy and reusable. Instead of tissue paper, use newspaper, crumpled or shredded paper, recyclable and reusable kraft or butcher paper, or cloth/clothing scraps to pad gifts in boxes!
TIP #7: WRAP IT UP!
Wrapping paper is festive and colorful but also costly, unwieldy, and it isn't always recyclable. SHI’s Executive Director, Elliott Powell, recommends using newspaper or paper grocery bags because they can be easily recycled.
If you want festive and colorful wrapping without the fuss, SHI’s Founder, Flo Reed, recommends you buy cloth remnants for wrapping gifts. These pieces can be just as beautiful as wrapping paper but can also be reused year after year.
Or why not turn it into a fun, family activity? Bring your family together and decorate newspaper or grocery bag-wrapped gifts over a cup of hot chocolate. We recommend paint for handprints and markers or crayons.
SUSTAINABLE TRADITIONS
TIP #8: PLANTABLE TREES
SHI volunteers Enriq Enriquez and Eiden Patt plant a mahogany tree in the community of San Roman, Belize.
The popularity of artificial trees and holiday tree alternatives has been on the rise for decades, but plantable trees are also a wonderful option and will make your home more festive year after year. Talk to your local nursery about what evergreen tree might be right for your holiday tree this year and your yard for years to come.
We know that traditions are hard to change, especially nostalgic ones, so if you can’t bring yourself to replace your cut tree with a plantable one, consider “replanting” your tree through an organization like Sustainable Harvest International. For $12, a dozen tree seedlings will be planted on deforested land by smallholder farmers in Central America.
TIP #9: PUT ORGANIC, LOCALLY-SOURCED FOOD ON YOUR TABLE
SHI partnering farmer Marta Meza cooking a nutritious meal at her home in San Benito, Honduras.
Food is a central part of the way people all over the world celebrate. We cook using recipes passed down to us from generations past (or delightfully taken from one of our favorite food blogs, Oh She Glows), and we sit around the table to enjoy the fulfillment of food going into our bellies and loved ones all around us. While it might cost a little extra to purchase food that is organic and/or locally-sourced, the health of our planet and farmers who work hard to grow our food will thank you.
Don’t know where to get locally-sourced, organic food? Check out Regeneration International’s Regenerative Farm Map!
TIP #10: CELEBRATE IN NATURE
Our precious Earth brings joy and wonder in all seasons, not just the warm and sunny ones. As family and friends come together for the holidays, there’s no better time to take your party outdoors for a hike in the forest or hot chocolate by a river or stream.
It is easy to forget amid the holiday hustle and bustle that we are a part of a vast and significant ecosystem of life. The air we breathe and ground beneath our feet are gifts that we give each other every day in how we choose to treat the environment.
As we give so much thought to the other gifts we give on another, may we also give thought to how we treat the planet we all rely on to survive. Care for the Earth, but also enjoy her beauty and abundance often. Find a walking trail at TrailLink or a hike on the Hiking Project.
The road to SHI partnering community Santa Martha in Belize.
