Make Your List and Check it Twice Written by: Eliza Letteney ‘Tis the season. Homes are trimmed with candles and boughs. While Chanukah is behind us, many are looking for Christmas and Kwanzaa gifts, hostess presents and “thank you” treats for teachers and others who have made the year brighter for our families. This year, instead of letting the shopping rush make you feel like a frenzied consumer, discover ways to shrink your ecological footprint and calmly prepare for remaining festivities. Here are a few tips for locating and wrapping gifts in a stress-free and sustainable way.
As seasonal shopping began in downtown Wellesley, a store associate at Beauty and Main noted an increasing number of people asking for natural products that are environmentally lower impact, adding that companies are also responding to the demand for products made without chemicals that are “paraben-free, dye-free, and scent-free.” Cashiers at Paper Source and Wellesley Books, both of which offer gifts made from natural or recycled materials, noted similar trends. And broader trends affirm what is happening here. The global consulting firm Accenture’s 2021 giving survey found that 58% want to support local and independent retailers. Additionally, 60% of respondents reported making more sustainable and ethical purchases, and 9 out of 10 of those said they planned to continue doing so this season. A survey by the research firm WeThrift found that nearly 40% of shoppers were likely to focus on eco-friendly products during this holiday season and over 60% claimed that they would likely use reused or recycled materials to box and wrap presents. If you’re interested in doing the same, reused paper, magazines, and newspapers are creative choices tied with some festive reused ribbon, raffia or yarn, and with a small pine branch or holly sprig tucked beneath the bow. Sustainable Wellesley shares easy steps to create beautiful - reusable- cloth gift wrapping here. Glass jars and other reusable containers can be festive with a bright gift tag and colorful twine. These sweet options yield a charming presentation without creating waste. No matter how you choose to celebrate, good luck and enjoy the holidays! |
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