Generosity comes in all shapes and sizes — from material gifts to experiences with friends and family, there are so many ways to give during the holiday season. Giving sustainably is a great way to add extra meaning to a gift while protecting the natural resources and outdoor spaces that give us so much.
We’ve put together this sustainable gifting guide with some ways that you can give meaningfully and sustainably this holiday season by balancing consumer spending with DIY gifts and unforgettable experiences.
- Gift a Donation: We’re proud to partner with 105+ conservation organizations that are innovating new approaches in every corner of our great state to take care of the land, water, wildlife, and dark skies. Considering making a donation to support Texas natural resources and the organizations that steward them. You can also gift a Texan by Nature membership!
- Gift an Experience: Give the gift of a plan by organizing a hike, camping trip, or a movie night for friends and family. This gift replaces the material with the experiential, and in doing so replaces the energy and transportation costs associated with material gifts with memories and a chance to appreciate the outdoors. Check out the best hiking trails in Texas.
- DIY: One of the easiest ways to reduce your environmental impact as a consumer is to consume less and make more. Gifting a drawing, painting, a kind note, or coupon for a home cooked dinner all help reduce the emissions from product manufacturing and transportation, and make gifting more personalized.
- Reuse: Cut back not holiday waste by reusing gift bags, boxes, wrapping paper, or even use some scrap fabric or some maps you have lying around.
- Shop local: Whether it’s the food items for holiday dinners or a gift to put under the tree, buying from locally-owned small businesses is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Small businesses make more local and nearby purchases than big retailers, meaning their products take less fuel to transport. Buying locally is also an investment in community prosperity: $68 of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community compared to $43 of every $100 spent at national chains.
- Shop second hand: According to the United Nations, the fashion industry dumps about a half a million tons of microfibre into the ocean each year. Shopping at second-hand retailers and thrift stores limits the demand of the water-intensive fashion industry, which makes up 10% of global carbon emissions and helps limit pollution associated with clothing and textiles manufacturing.
- Repair: The average Texan throws away 5 pounds of trash each day. Keep last year’s Christmas present out of the landfill by investing in the repair or refurbishment of items like appliances, furniture, and even shoes and clothes. Combine this sustainable gift with supporting local businesses by choosing local repair services to make a further positive impact.
However you celebrate the holidays, remember to give back to the environment by choosing to gift sustainably. It won’t just save you money, it can also save the world! Happy holidays from the Texan by Nature team.