December 16, 2010

Five Easy Ways to Reduce Waste This Holiday Season

Hello Sew Greeners! I'm sure you're all in the midst of your busy holiday preparations. I know I am.

We all know this season can be stressful in a whole slew of different ways. One of the things about the season that stresses me out is trying not to lose touch with my sustainable living goals as the madness of the holiday season ramps up. My husband always reminds me to go easy on myself because the world doesn't necessarily make it easy for us all to do the right thing. Nevertheless, here's my list of five easy ways I've reduced the amount of waste my festive season generates. Please feel free to post your own tips in the comments!

1. Give the Gift of Nothing.



Nothing tangible, that is. One of the best gifts my best friend Kat ever gave to me was agreeing to read one book of my choosing. She put no other limits on it, saying I could choose fiction or non-fiction, heavy or light, trashy or deep. Whatever I chose, she promised to read from cover to cover. After much thought I asked her to read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. That book changed the way I felt about food and inspired me to make small changes in how I ate every day, and I thought it might do the same for her. It did! Seeing her start to patronize local farmers' markets and even can her own spaghetti sauce and apple sauce in the fall, was amazing and exciting for me. The gift lasted for months! And if you choose a book that's available through the local library system, no one needs to buy anything!

2. Give To Someone Who Really Needs It.



This year my brother, sister-in-law, husband and I all agreed to give to charity instead of giving each other gifts. I'd initially suggested that we all donate to one charity, but my brother had the genius idea of choosing a different charity for each person, so we could have the fun of picking something uniquely suited to each of us. And it keeps up the all-important surprise factor.

One word of advice about this kind of gift giving. If you're going to pitch this to family members or friends, I'd encourage you to do it as early in the season as possible. Some people buy gifts early, and nothing breeds resentment like you swooping in with your awesome non-gift gift ideas when they have something wrapped up and stowed away for yo already.

3. If You Do Give a Gift, Use Reusable Wrappings.



I've been an enemy of wrapping paper for years, and this has led to me sewing my own fabric gift bags. These are the easiest things to sew, and a great beginner project. All you need is a rectangle of fabric. Hem one side and then fold the wrong sides together and sew up the other three sides. Turn it right side out and pop your gift in there. You can tie it closed with reusable ribbon or twine and attach a gift card to the ribbon. It takes almost no time and the bags can be used over and over again. I always buy Christmassy fabric when I see it in the fabric section at second hand stores, regardless of the time of year (you'd be surprised what shows up in July!) I take it home and wash it and stash it away for gift giving season. I also try to keep some of my bags every year so I don't have to make all new ones the following year. but people seem to like to keep them to give their own gifts in, which is fine too!

(My aforementioned friend Kat posted my more detailed fabric gift bag tutorial on her blog if you need a bit more coaching!)


4. Buy Local Everything.



Most people have to buy holiday specific things this time of year, whether they're giving piles of gifts or not. As tempting as it is to order everything off the internet, buying from a local store or local craft sales or local artists or local farmers, means that you control how much packaging your gift comes wrapped in. You can also ask questions about how things are made and shipped, and as a bonus you're supporting your local economy and the people in your community who depend on it. One of our local farmers' markets has a special Christmas market every year where you can buy both gifts (soap, jewelry, quilts etc) and food. I came home this year with a big bag of locally grown carrots, beets, Jerusalem artichokes, honey, and cranberries.

5. Clean Out Your Pantry.



This one only really occurred to me the other day. I had done a hurried, frazzled grocery shopping trip and came home feeling overwhelmed by all the stuff I still need to do as the holidays approach. When I started putting my purchases in the fridge and pantry, I realized that not only did I have minimal space in the fridge and pantry, I also had no idea what was taking up all that space in the first place. I got so agitated my husband had to put everything away for me.

The following day I got up early and went to work a few hours before I normally begin my days. This, plus skipping my lunch, allowed me to come home three hours earlier than normal. I spent those three hours cleaning out the fridge and pantry cupboard. I dug deep and found that I had bulk items in the pantry that I'd forgotten about. Everything got organized and put into my collection of glass jars. Now I am completely aware of what's available to me as I start my holiday food prep. There will be no over-buying and wasting of food. Plus I know what I need to use up and I can do that before it goes stale. And it had the added bonus of making me feel so much calmer about my kitchen in general. Win, win.

J.

54 comments:

Philigry said...

I do the same thing, and feel so much better when it is all clean and I know what I have!

Emily said...

i really like your suggestion in #1! i hadn't thought of that before. i'm all about sewing reusable gift bags, too--years ago when i was working at a fabric store there was a clearance sale on some beautiful brocades, $10-20/yd fabric i picked up for $2/yd minus my discount--so i bought crazy yardage and i still have some left like four christmases later.

"clean out your pantry" applies to me in a different way...i ended up giving away about half the food i put up last summer, because there's no way in hell i'd ever use all those fruit preserves.

Urban Girl - Heartfelt said...

Really like # 2 - how you can personalize it for each person and # 4 also - how you can help determine how your items are packaged - so true!

Fun to find another local Ottawa blogger!

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing these great ideas. I want to start using reusable cloth or bags as wrapping for gifts. Gonna check out the tutorial.

Anonymous said...

for the gift bags- if you give a gift in the bag- the bag is now part of the gift to the recipient, right? you're not asking for the bag back

Martha said...

Very practical...Christmas gets out of hand, when really it can be so simple and enjoyable just spending TIME with those you love. My sister made Curried Lentil Soup in a jar and gave it to us...http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/holidays/homemade-food-gift-ideas

red or gray art said...

jennifer . lovely ideas ..very simple and easy to do ::

Anonymous said...

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a great book. It really changed the way I think about our food choices and nature's natural cycles of offering just what your body needs throughout each season. Enjoy!

Bethany said...

I love this post. I was just thinking about the waste of the Christmas wrapping. A friend had mentioned fabric, too, as a substitute. Thanks for the additional insight.
I've also read Kingsolver's book and it is fabulous. I'm currently reading her fiction, Prodigal Summer, which is great. Check it out at your library when you get the chance.
Happy Holidays!

Christopher Hinn said...

I really like suggestions # 2 and #4 - how you can personalize it for each person and how you can help determine how your items are packaged - It's the thought that counts.

Anonymous said...

Recently I wrote a blog entry offering a leftist critique of the ideology of "Green" environmentalism, eco-friendliness, and lifestyle politics in general (veganism, "dumpster diving," "buying organic," etc.). I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter and any responses you might have to its criticisms.

Jamie Miles said...

I loved this. I would love to implement. I always want to model the spirit of giving not gifts is the joy of the season. It just takes a little forethought.

android developer said...

Thanks for providing this good informative post and i got a good knowledge from your blog, i think most of the peoples are get good benefited from this information.

Julia said...

I agree with these tips. We should reduce holiday waste by rationalising everything we buy and offer as gift.

indian domain names said...

Hey..Wonderful tips..In fact i practice some of them..I am happy to see somebody having the thought like me..Thank you..

Anonymous said...

Cheap Ralph Lauren stressed that manages in the method to imitate the competitor at the same time Monster Beats, wants to carry on the website the data analysis Polo Shirts, he is also using other account numbers to confirm its data analysis now the result, how for example can obtain using search engine's function own shop more effective buyers.
The new starting off novice opens on-line feminine clothing store, Yang Junyi suggested that starts not to the outdoor shop shop too big. Like this even if in the management Beats Solo Hd Frequency Response appears needs to adjust, also Monster Beats Studio tone. Generally says to the Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts, best selects 10-15 most best-selling popular goods, about 2000 Yuan investments then may realize in the easy interest to start an undertaking. He suggested that starts to make the familiar commodity first, do not think immediately design the new design.
Strives for certain superiority in the price, certainly in the purchase Monster Headphones is unable under the premise which reduces, can only sacrifice part of ratios of margin. The young seller should better go to grasp Moncler Jackets to visit through the search engine to look for the goods on own initiative the buyer, these Cheap Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts For Men the sense of purpose which these casual glances over in all directions are stronger than, moreover they are lower regarding the price sensitive degree.
The Wenzhou females might also look like the stars now in the main house gate mouth to put on designer's unique work equally. Recently, did in a Monster Beats newly opened clothing store this has bought and sold specially - manages specially sells the Moncler Jackets For Men design to limit the quantity the version Jackets For Men. This family named "Ying's dress shop located at the time square and the Moncler Jackets For Women position, the area is not big, the repair is quite elegant plainly.
It biggest lies in differently with the general clothing store: In the majority of clothes' brand market condition is rarer, moreover the same funds clothing has 1-2. Shop owner Miss Kong introduced that the female Cheap Polo Shirts the clothes to pursue the unique individuality, for this reason, she was collector of some Polo Shirts For Men and the American designers specially in the Shanghai work room work, and purchased some design unique two brand female attire from Europe Cheap Polo Shirts For Men.

seo forum india said...

Amazing post. I make sure to visit this post regularly. Keep posting more and more..

rameez said...

i really like your suggestion nice blog i like it thanks for sharing



watch GEO tv drama
watch Hum tv drama
watch zee tv drama
watch ARY tv drama
watch Starplus indian tv drama
watch Sony indian tv drama
watch Color indian tv drama
watch imagine indian tv drama
watch pakistani talkshow

Anonymous said...

What was presented in this article has forced me to reconsider and redefine my viewpoints. This can only be a good thing. Kimberly@reverse phone lookup

Anonymous said...

These articles are fantastic, The information you show us is interesting for everybody and is really good written, very informative. It’s just nice! continue posting. Thanks!

Florence of beachfront properties in the philippines

♥April Monique♥ said...

I would like to tell you that you have given me much knowledge about it. Thanks for everything. Keep Blogging!

buy and sell

Website Designer Philippines said...

These articles are fantastic, The information you show us is interesting for everybody and is really good written, very informative. It’s just nice! continue posting. Thanks!


- nina

webdesign Philippines said...

Read a lot of blogs specially interesting ones like your blog, Good post! I accidentally found your site on the internet, I am going to be coming back here yet again.Love Information Is Beautiful. Keep posting.

lanie

properties in the philippines said...

Great post! Looks cool the work you do...I've been looking for something like this for a very long time. The information you show us is interesting for everybody .. I hope this works for me. Thank you for sharing!

- Mae

Metro Manila houses for sale said...

I would like to tell you that you have given me much knowledge about it. Thanks for everything. Keep Blogging!


- Karina

Metro Manila Properties said...

I’m still learning from you, while I’m trying to reach my goals. I absolutely love reading all that is written on your website.Keep the tips coming. I enjoyed it!


- ry

Cert Killer said...

Thanks for the mention! We're happy to hear you enjoy our interactive story. :) We think it'll be a fun way to pass the time.

Cosplay Costume said...

This blog is really good. The images are excellent. Its really good to spend the time with our dear ones during the vacations.

Designer Marcio Dupont said...

Hi Great work!
please visit my blog about sustainable design, thanks!

cosplay costumes said...

Thanks for sharing these great ideas!These really help me a lot.

Mr. Green said...

Nice tips, this enviro friendly and we will considering applying it to enviromental project. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

Nice tips, this enviro friendly and we will considering applying it to enviromental project. Thank you for sharing. acrylic display cases

Buy Youtube Views said...


This article is really very informative. Very well written and up to point. Thanks for sharing such a valuable post…

Emma Chapma said...

It is the story with every housewife so true and funny. Well the idea and tips are important and sharing of the blog is also important for general awareness and to save money and things. Great effort

Unique Handmade Jewelry

Unknown said...

Hey I don't have words to describe this post. I simply want to say that absolutely informative post. It inspires me a lot. Keep posting.
environmentally friendly bike cleaners

Jacob said...

I've read your post.It is obviously helpful.Before buying any clothes everyone should be focus on best clothing tips

zaaak said...

I've read your post.It is obviously helpful

thailand lottery paper
bestcurliron
hair trimmer 2017
Kerala Lottery result

Mamta Balani said...

Hey, you told me some unique ones.. thanks.
Yoga for weight loss

Long t shirts women's said...

Youth is doing great in the fashion industry and this is a revolutionary change that is appreciated a lot. Keep sharing more about this.

Akshay said...

Wow!! I have read your post.You have provided so many pragmatic ideas. Thank you for sharing.

Swish eStore said...

I really like suggestions # 2 and #4 - how you can personalize it for each person and how you can help determine how your items are packaged - It's the thought that counts.

best streak free glass cleaner on the market

Unknown said...

nice suggestions.
abhishek
craftjaipur

seak said...

Top 5 best cheap laptops under 300$ in 2019
Top 5 best popular Women’s Swimsuits in 2019

sann said...

Good Site

Unknown said...

This is such an interesting article.
Well done.

jazz said...

Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your web site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a large portion of people will miss your excellent writing because of this problem.
liteblue usps

Kitchenfa.com said...

kitchenfa Offering a Great Reviews of Kitchen Products Like top kitchen faucets, Kitchen Sinks, Touchless Kitchen Sinks & Commercial Sinks & Faucets. So, If You are Going to Buy these Products Read the Top Reviews First.

Anaya Story said...

Yes This season we are ready to clean our waste. This is our efforts and we give Seasonal Gifts to ours lovers

Slimming Gummies said...

Statistically, I'm waiting in the wings. Those strange Diet Pills adolescents have the same goals as each and every other person. This is impossible. Once you become adept at Diet Pills, you may want to try your hand at Diet Pills. I'm sure that will permit you know the just stereotyped parts of Diet Pills. I've been unseen by a myriad of men and women for a while now. They offer Weight Loss Gummies at an inferior price. I've been doing it for so long now that I can do this in my sleep.

https://www.offerplox.com/weight-loss/slimming-gummies/

https://www.facebook.com/cortexidrops
https://www.offerplox.com/weight-loss/ketoxplode-avis/
https://www.offerplox.com/skin-care/amarose-skin/
https://www.offerplox.com/cbd-products/cbd-care-gummies-au/
https://www.offerplox.com/cbd-products/alpha-bio-cbd-gummies/
https://www.facebook.com/ULTRAProstaCare/
https://www.facebook.com/bitqt.system

Barbara Nimmo said...

I really enjoyed reading your blog post on reducing waste! It's so important for all of us to do our part for the environment. One way I've found to reduce waste is by making reusable cloth napkins from old fabric scraps.
Active&Fit Direct Coupon Code

Ashlee Rolfson said...

I found this blog post on reducing waste to be incredibly insightful and relevant, even years after it was originally posted. It's wonderful to see that the principles of sustainability are timeless!

One of the ways I've personally adopted to reduce waste is by investing in reusable products and making small changes in my daily routine.
Free Atm For Cash App

Timothee Lambert said...

"This blog is like a treasure trove of wisdom. The diverse range of topics covered ensures that there's something valuable here for everyone. Keep up the amazing work!"
piada promo code

Jennifer Walsh said...

Your tips on reducing waste during the holidays are not only practical but also align with a sustainable mindset. Embrace a greener season and enjoy exclusive savings with 'american airlines promo code reddit' – making every choice eco-friendly and budget-friendly!

Edvin Berg said...

"Your blog has this magical ability to turn information into inspiration. I always come away not just informed but also motivated to explore and learn more. Thank you for infusing passion into your writing and inspiring your readers!"
cheddar's coupon