Whether you’re wrapping up holiday shopping or just getting started, Matter is here to help you make sustainable choices this holiday season. Start by spreading the love to your family and friends, as well as the earth. In this blog, we are going to cover six sustainable swaps for gift-giving that leave a lasting impact on hearts, not the planet.
Buy Close to Home
One of the easiest ways to make an impact in your local community is to shop with small businesses. Some of the most unique and creative gifts are in boutiques just around the corner or down the street. Wander into the vintage shop tucked behind your town's library, and you might stumble upon the perfect gift for your cousin or coworker. Not only can you find irreplaceable gifts, but shopping at small businesses in your area helps boost the local economy. Keeping money in the economy benefits your community. Shopping at local businesses is one of the best ways to be a good neighbor. Small businesses are also more likely to contribute to local charities and fundraisers, giving back to those in need during the holiday season.
Wrapping Alternatives
Wrapping paper is beautiful and a memorable part of the holidays for many. More often than not, traditional wrapping paper is non-recyclable and therefore ends up in the trash. There are also wrapping papers coated with materials such as paint or made from plastics. The best way to tell us is using the “Scrunch Test.” If you scrunch the wrapping paper and it bounces back, it most likely contains plastic. Luckily, there are dazzling alternatives to traditional wrapping paper to keep your gifts looking magical. Upcycling paper bags is a great option; it helps give old bags a new life. You can even add some character by creating holiday doodles. Kraft or butcher paper is another excellent, recyclable alternative. The Japanese furoshiki style is another elegant and mindful way to wrap gifts. Utilizing fabrics to create an ornate wrapping pattern, this traditional technique allows for fabric reuse and provides a second gift. The fabric can be used again as a stylish scarf or even to decorate bags.
Experience-Based Gifts
One of the simplest ways to reduce waste this holiday season is by giving experience-based gifts. What does that look like? A museum pass, cooking classes, tickets to the local theater, or even a hands-on art class. Other options include dance lessons, which promote creativity and an opportunity to express oneself. A pottery or ceramics class is a therapeutic experience that lets you bring your art home. Not only are these experiences zero-waste, but the memories last longer than any material gift.
Conscious Kitchen Solutions
Gathering around the table for holiday meals creates some of the season's most cherished memories. However, a large percentage of waste that occurs during the holidays stems from the kitchen. There are plenty of kitchen swaps that can help reduce this waste. When it comes to baking, silicone baking mats are an excellent reusable alternative to single-use parchment paper or tinfoil. Beeswax wraps are another reusable, natural alternative that helps preserve baked goods, keeping them fresh all season long. Electric composters are also a top-notch gift for reducing food waste during the holiday season. They are convenient, user-friendly, and faster than traditional outdoor compost piles. Making it an ideal gift that delights newcomers and seasoned composters alike.
Handmade Treasures
There’s nothing quite like gifts made from scratch, at home, and specifically for your loved ones. Handmade gifts are an excellent sustainable choice, and each one is unique. Crafting original artwork is a fun way to get creative and share art that can hang on walls or family refrigerators for years to come. Hand-knit scarves, gloves, beanies, and more wrap your loved ones in warmth season after season. Many natural fabrics, such as wool and cotton, offer a more sustainable option than plastic-based materials. Handcrafted jewelry becomes a timeless treasure passed down from one generation to the next.
Compostable Partyware & Household Essentials
During the holiday season, Americans produce up to 25% more waste on average than the rest of the year. That’s enough to fill around 140,000 garbage trucks. At Matter, we understand the importance of reducing our environmental footprint. That’s why our partyware & household essentials are certified compostable. We craft our products thoughtfully with repurposed plant waste, giving new life to nature’s leftovers. Choosing compostable partyware is an excellent alternative to non-compostable or non-recyclable products that will otherwise end up in the landfill.