T’is the season! It is that time of year again:
Mariah Carey earworms, blinding blue LEDs, prickly evergreens, sugar rushes, emptied wallets and travel anxieties . . . it just doesn’t sound very appealing. Well, at least when it comes to the holiday’s modern commercialized form.
At its core, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or Yule, the merriment and love is rather wonderful. We may dance to jingling bells, exchange heartfelt gifts, visit family we may otherwise not often see, sip on hot cocoa, and warm up by the crackling fire. I live in the southern United States, and I have witnessed a “white Christmas” maybe once in my life, but fortunately, it is rather chilly here now with the cool, moist East Coast breeze.
Every year as I get older and wiser, I recognize the value and art form of gift-giving, something so beautifully primal and endearingly rewarding. It is especially thoughtful when one gives or receives a handmade item, or perhaps sourced from a family friend or local maker. I also value gifts that are either practical or important to the individual. For example, I gifted my little sister a Pokémon keychain I bought from a gaming convention. Keychains are rather useless, but it was a hand-drawn Sprigatito–her first ever Pokémon–surrounded by roses, in which “Rose” is her middle name. It just felt special; it felt meaningful.
————————————————————-
What I am sick of, however, is receiving pointless plastic products, coated in ungodly amounts of wrapping. These items that I might use once or never and forget about them for Christmases to come. Gifts that are given without thought; gifts given in quantity over quality; last-minute shopping sprees or quick Amazon and Temu purchases; more and more mass-manufactured ornaments, lip balms, and wallets. Sometimes these items are given in good conscience but typically they become repeat holiday gifts that still needlessly cause financial frustrations. It’s okay, Grandmother, I don’t need another set of Christmas pajamas . . .
We feed our credit cards to the c-word (*ahem*, I mean consumerist) machine because society believes that moms and dads must get their children all the latest game systems, Disney merch, and iPhones . . . or else their kid will meltdown in a coal-riddled nightmare tantrum. Do I have to get my father another Amazon toolbox because that’s what all men enjoy? My good friend loves cheap fast fashion from Shein, so might as well get her a single-use, plastic gift card . . .
Apologies for the rant. Let me get to the point: If you are interested in eliminating these unsustainable holiday items, whether you want to buy your own eco-friendly stocking stuffers or believe that a loved one will appreciate the more personable, environmental shift towards a green Christmas rather than greenwashed, here is a nondefinitive list below, linking to wonderfully sustainable online retailers. Shop recycled, upcycled, and sustainably this holiday season! I firstly want to recommend either crafting your own gifts (if you have the time) or go in person to your local small business. However, if you are not able to do any of this, need to shop quickly, or just love the convenience of sitting at home–here you go!
Read more: A Merry Green Christmas
CLOTHING & APPAREL
GOODWILL: A well-known hand-me-down retailer offering clothing, electronics, toys, books, and more. Very affordable, and a much better alternative to Temu or Shein.
POSHMARK: Secondhand apparel, clothing, appliances, and beauty products set up like individual “virtual closets,” kind of like a yard sale.
MERCARI: Similar to Poshmark, selling secondhand clothing and other goods with a very user-friendly interface for both buyers and sellers.
REI RE/SUPPLY: Gently used outdoor clothing, equipment, and gear from the Rei brand. Re-sold in order to keep items out of landfills.
PLATO’S CLOSET: U.S. chain that recycles gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories sold at reduced prices.
PATAGONIA: Sells outdoor clothing, equipment, and food, known for its pledge to environmental sustainability. Yvon Chouinard, former CEO, surrendered his billionaire status and sold the company to a non-profit in which all proceeds go towards fighting climate change.
VUORI: Athletic and athleisure apparel and accessories made from recycled materials.
CARHARTT REWORKED: Sustainable resale program of secondhand Carhartt apparel. Offers sturdy and long-lasting workwear.
EVERYWHERE APPAREL: High-quality clothing brand crafted from 100% recycled cotton.
DILLYSOCKS: Socks and graphic t-shirts made sustainably from cotton, produced under the Oeko-Tex 100 standard. Everyone wants comfy socks for the holidays!
ETIKO: Organic cotton, vegan, fair-trade clothing and footwear.
WILDFANG: Sustainably-made and uniquely gender-neutral clothing and accessories.
HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES
MADE TRADE: A woman-owned online marketplace that sells verified sustainable and ethically-sourced home goods.
BAMBU: Eco-friendly kitchenware and bathroom-ware made out of bamboo.
ETTITUDE: Bamboo-based bedding, bathroom and sleep essentials.
SALTY AURA: Sustainable home and outdoor recreation items, including rugs, camping mats, bedding, and clothes. Proceeds go to Eden Restoration Projects and OpBlue.
BLUELAND: Refillable, plastic-free cleaning and laundry bottles, so you do not have to buy one-use plastic bottles throughout your lifetime.
THE GOOD FILL: Zero-waste home goods store that offers refillable cleaning and body care products, with in-person stores encouraging byob (bring your own bottles).
LOMI: Sells food composters that will quickly and efficiently break down vegetables, fruits, breads, and even meats.
BIOLITE: Off-grid outdoor recreation products that are portable and energy efficient, like wood burning stoves and solar generators.
BEE’S WRAP: Reusable, washable bees wax wraps as an alternative to plastic wraps.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
KRAVEBEAUTY: Sustainably sourced, organic, vegan skincare line pledged to shrink their carbon footprint. Sells products for all skin types.
PROSE: Made-to-order, custom hair and skincare brand that recycles their packaging and pledges to carbon neutrality.
GLOW RECIPE: A Carbon Neutral Certified, “fruit-forward” skincare brand that focuses on certain skin concerns, such as acne and dryness.
FAT AND THE MOON: All-natural, handmade, botanical beauty products and herbal care.
THE EARTHLING CO.: Natural and non-toxic haircare that sells the increasingly popular shampoo and conditioning bars.
LEAF SHAVE: Plastic-free razors with a focus on blade safety, meant to last a lifetime.
RIZOS CURLS: Latina-owned haircare line that comes in 100% recycled packaging, and also offers refillable bottles and pumps.
AMIKA: Refillable haircare products for all genders, ages, and hair types.
BOONBOO: 100% bamboo, zero-waste self-care items including dental floss, toilet paper, and toothpaste.
ZERO WASTE STORE: Clean and sustainable skincare and cleaning products.
FOOD & DRINK
THRIVE MARKET: An accessible organic online grocery and appliance store with a delivery service.
MISFITS MARKET: Grocery delivery service containing organic produce, mostly food items that had been left behind at grocery stores (e.g., perfectly edible apples with ugly brown spots), breaking the food waste cycle.
ALOHA: Plant-based protein bars and powder that provide healthy fibers and sustained energy.
RAINBO: Women-owned “functional” mushroom supplement business that is B Corp and Climate Neutral Certified.
ALTER ECO: Sells organic, non-GMO chocolates, granola, quinoa, and other food items. Even has compostable candy wrappers.
HIKERS BREW COFFEE: Sustainable coffee brand that comes in compostable packaging.
VAHDAM TEAS: Premium herbs, spices, and teas from India pledged to plastic and climate neutrality.
NUMI ORGANIC TEA: Premium, fair-trade tea company.
BONTERRA ORGANIC VINEYARDS: Wine produced by regenerative organic agriculture with organic grapes.
BOTANICA WINES: American winery that utilizes regenerative, organic farming practices.
SUNDAY BEER CO. PURE BREWING: Non-GMO, 100% carbon- neutral beer company.
PET SUPPLIES
BECO: High-quality, sustainably made pet food and products–specifically for dogs.
MOLLY MUTT: Eco-friendly, 100% cotton dog beds that can be washed and upcycled.
KBS PETS: Climate-neutral brand that makes unique, natural wood cat trees.
TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA
DECLUTTR: Affordable tech refurbishing service encouraging the reduction of e-waste.
BACK MARKET: Like Decluttr, refurbishes and sells pre-owned phones, laptops, and other tech.
PELA CASE: Eco-friendly phone cases crafted from biodegradable flax shive and plant-based biopolymers.
BOOKSHOP: Connects readers with booksellers all over the world, supporting independent bookstores over conglomerates like Amazon.
OTHER
EARTHERO: An ethical online marketplace that sells sustainable products from over 300 different brands. Any synthetic product they sell is made of at least 70% recycled materials.
EMIKENI: Sustainable fashion and products aimed to empower femininity.
PRESERVE: Recycled and recyclable household products.
GIFTS FOR GOOD: Women-owned, climate-conscious business that donates to reforestation, plastic removal, and clean drinking water efforts.
LIFESTRAW: Sells water filters and purifiers, and has a Give Back Program aimed at providing children with safe drinking water.
RUMPL: Camping, hiking, and other outdoor recreational blankets and gear made from recycled materials.
GREEN TOYS: Children’s toys made out of 100% recycled milk jugs.
————————————————–
The Six of Pentangles is a signifier of thanksgiving. We must remind ourselves to be charitable and giving, and appreciate all the good we receive.
————————————————–
Blue Mushroom 