Jasmina Kurtovic, Senior
1. Buy Local: Not only is it a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but it is also a great way to support local businesses and artists! Bonus points if you buy locally grown foods for your holiday meals.
2. Avoid Wrapping Paper: Why buy and use tons of paper that just gets thrown away when you can DIY-it! Use old newspapers, brown paper bags, or cloth to wrap gifts instead. For additional flare, use the comics section, or color on designs for a personal touch. Alternatively, use a gift sack to put gifts in each year.
3. Shop Secondhand: This avoids any emissions or waste from the production of new items. There are some great consignment/thrift stores near us. Worthy Girl (Beverly), Sistas Consignment (Marblehead), Magic Hat Thrift (Marblehead), The Spotted Hound (Marblehead), and more!
4. Gift an Experience: Could be a ticket to a play or sports game, a day trip, even just promising to go out for lunch. Or maybe it’s a cooking class or some other workshop.
5. Donate to a Charity: Instead of cluttering their life with items, donate to a cause they are passionate about. For example, you can symbolically adopt an animal from the World Wildlife Fund and they send you a cute plushie!
6. Adjust Your Stocking Stuffers: Often stocking stuffers are plastic items that may get lost or left unused. Try books, homemade snacks, or some eco-friendly products!