Gift Giving: a new challenge

We are working in our house to put more meaning into the overly-commercialized and often meaningless Christmas holiday and the traditions that go along with it. The advent Calendar drop-ins I made and sold were one example, but there are lots of other ways to make Christmas a more meaningful time for your family. One other thing we are doing this year is to change how we buy gifts. Every year I feel more and more strongly about the overabundance of gifts exchanged and how many of them don't represent the values we hold. Many of the kids toys are produced in China with unsafe ingredients and do not hold up for long. Gift cards are impersonal. Electronics seem to outdate before you can even get them unwrapped. And so on and so on... I'm sure everyone has some aspect of the gift exchange that they feel is wasteful or impersonal. So, this year, we decided to try to purchase gifts that embody the values we hold as consumers and as a family. We are purchasing things that are one or more of the following (for about 75% of our gifts):


1. made locally (or at least made in the USA)
2. made by a small family-owned business
3. organically or sustainably produced
4. benefit a charitable cause
5. educational
6. recycled
7. made by us!


So far, we have found some great gift options that fit one or more of these criteria! I can't share them yet (for obvious reasons!), but I wanted to post my thoughts on gift giving so maybe I can inspire others to change some of their gift giving practices. Of course, there are a few items we just can't seem to get to fit these criteria, but for the most part we have found some great gifts!


A few suggestions:

• your local farmers markets and craft fairs are great resources
• each region of the country has local specialities - find out what yours is and find a small local supplier to purchase from
• a number of not-so-local and not-so-sustainable companies are at least donating a portion of their profits to charities
• tickets to local cultural performances and educational classes are a great way to spend your money
• buying art or pottery from a local artist makes for a unique and personal gift
• auctions are a great place to pick up some unique gifts (just ask my mom!) and give something a second life instead of using more resources to buy it new
• use your own talents to share with others (painting, photography, writing, baking, gardening)

Here's to a more meaningful holiday season and more meaningful consumption throughout the year!