Happy Sustainable Holidays!

Family get-togethers, office gift-swaps, and holiday parties are no doubt coming up quickly for those of you partaking in the season's festivities - and for many, that means purchasing presents.

Take advantage of this opportunity to show your environmental commitment! Consider some of the questions below to ensure that your choices are both socially and environmentally responsible:

Where to buy?
Are you supporting the livelihood of a local craftsman, or is your money going to a large corporation where most of the production takes place overseas? Take a walk down mainstreet to visit some of the family-owned shops rather than driving to the nearest Wal-Mart. Although you may pay a bit more, you'll have a better understanding of exactly where your money is going; and feel free to ask the shop owner where their products come from. Better yet, find some artisans (potters, woodworkers, painters) in the community and see the impact of your purchase. Don't be afraid to let the gift's recipient know that their new coffee mug was made by the young couple on Main St. rather than somewhere overseas - they'll undoubtedly appreciate it.

Does your gift have staying power?
True, that plastic, singing reindeer might elicit a few laughs the first couple times you squeeze its paw, but where will it end up in six months? One year? Five years? Cheap electronics inevitibly break and almost always find their way to the landfill rather than the proper recycling center. Short-lived, trendy purchases suffer a similar fate. In fact, over 90% of all produducts purchased in the United States find their way to the garbage within six months, meaning lots of waste! Do your best to look for gifts that will last a lifetime, gifts that will be used daily, or gifts that can be easily recycled/donated.

What is your gift doing to help the environment?
Although it may seem like a ridiculous request, this is a crucial consideration if you mean to make a truly responsible decision. In your head, make a list of pros and cons for an individual gift's potential environmental impact. Often, it will help if you compare your prospective purchase with the alternative: an iTunes giftcard uses less packaging than a CD would, thus (theoretically) helping the environment. A recyclable, stainless-steel Kleen Kanteen will cut down on disposable bottles. Think broadly about packaging, transportation, and inherent energy, and choose products that meet your own criteria

Of course, participating in consumerism isn't absolutely necessary during the holiday season either. Create something from your own hands. Sing your loved one a song. Take time to spend with your parents or children. Build an igloo for your younger cousins, neices, or nephews. These are simple, wholly sustainable ideas that trully illustrate the central tenets of the winter season: emotional well-being, the strengthening of relationships, and the celebration of life and renewal.

Happy Holidays.