Nowadays, the Holiday Season of ad campaigns begin before the Halloween costumes come off.
Seemingly overnight, store aisles are jam packed full of bright colors with 'SALE!' signs.
DON'T WORRY! We're here to make sure you don't get overwhelmed or outright tricked by all that winter whimsy. Our QuickTips will help you to remember the 3R's: reuse, refuse and rejoice for keeping your Black Friday, green!
1. KNOW YOUR WORTH
There's no more powerful way to impact the world than with your hard earned dollar. Make sure you're spending it on the right items that you want to support!
Your spending power can help change the game in habitat destruction or plastic free alternatives offered from companies and industry around the world. By avoiding questionable ingredients or collection practices, even choosing items that are eco-packaged over ones that aren't can make a real difference.
2. Make a List, Check it Twice
Santa is busy, we get it - but even he checks his list twice! Before heading out to battle with other holiday shoppers it's helpful to make a list of products and alternatives that you know are ethically sound, sustainable, and otherwise amazing for person AND planet.
BEAUTY PRODUCTS TIPS:
We reached out to our friend Melanie Laberge on SHARKFREE cosmetics she's found. Check out these brands below from her research and read more on Squalene vs. Squalane in the beauty industry.
I love and tested [these brands] myself and can confirm they are all shark-free.Â
- OGEE (the Jojoba face glow oil is my favorite product)
- FRESH (the Rose deep hydration sleeping mask is a guilty pleasure of mine)
- TOM FORD BEAUTY (Lip lacquer is my favorite liquid lipstick)
- KAT VON D BEAUTY (The lock-it foundation is the best foundation i've ever tried)
- PHILOSOPHY (the present makeup primer is a great product)
- MAKEUP FOREVER (the HD blush is my favorite blush)
- SUNDAY RILEY (Ice, ceramide face cream is an ultimate favorite moisturizer for me)
3. Shopping In the Bag
Having baggage isn't bad! Don't leave or forget what good habits you already have behind on your holiday shopping trek(s)! It may seem small, but bring along your reusable tumbler for your coffee to help you feel better about staying up all night shopping or use those reusable bags instead of the stores' plastic ones to tote it all home.
Holiday Cooking tip:
You don't have to stop dishing up your holiday favorites, but challenge yourself to go greener this year! Avoid as much plastic packaging as you can by picking out unwrapped produce or using your own reusable produce bags. Don't miss the thrill of finding the perfect vegetable specimen in the bin (wouldn't that taste like holiday success?!)
Whenever available, try to use your store's bulk bins to refill any spices, nuts, or other ingredients for your favorite holiday recipes.
Branch out and try more sustainable products and substitute for healthier, more eco-friendly alternatives.
For example, skip the plastic baggies and invest in glass storage for your food leftovers. Glass is easier to recycle, are reusable, PLUS they make adorable containers for gifts!
4. NEW Outlook: Vintage
This season look for a new look (or gift idea)! You can find sweet deals on like-new clothing from boutiques and specialty shops near you, not to mention helping out small businesses in your area. Don't be afraid to browse the local holiday farmers markets, or the small shops you usually pass by - who knows what you may find!
You may not know it but clothing waste is a major issue when we think about pollution. The fashion industry contributes 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions due to its long supply chains and energy intensive production.
Second to oil, the clothing and textile industry is the largest polluter in the world.
Boost your confidence in a new look while you boost the economy by helping local businesses; now that's what we like to call green on green on green!
5. Go Digital
Have a hard-to-shop for person on your list? Be it a moody teenager or not, there's few people that don't like cash for the holidays. So this time around why not choose to go digital with all those gift cards you plan on getting anyway?
Many stores offer e-gift cards or e-funds that can be accessed through a mobile application, making it easier than ever before to give the gift of green. Some stores even allow you to choose a delivery date so you can be sure that no matter where you send your e-gift, there will be no early-openers! Ask your store or check out some websites to see the e-card and gift amounts available for anyone on your list.
Going digital is also the best way to avoid long lines, sitting in traffic, fighting for parking spots and in general those mass sale-hungry crowds. Save time, save money, save the holiday by embracing this digital idea.
BONUS: This method is procrastinator approved!
Never feel embarrassment over trying to find the next-best plastic gift card image because you waited too long and all they have left are 'Happy Birthday' themes again. (Whoops)
Article written by Sphyrnas Founder
November 2019