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EquityTransform Your Holidays: Embrace ‘Green’ Friday
The consumer-focused holidays are here, with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and more. This season presents an opportunity to give gifts that are memorable and special while minimizing impacts on people and our planet.
In a world where our “stuff” increasingly impacts our climate, communities, and planet, you have the power to advance a more sustainable future. Share love for your family, strengthen your community, and protect the environment by making healthier choices – something we can all celebrate.
Ready to get started? We’ve gathered the best resources to ensure your holidays support a world where all people and the planet thrive.
Celebrate Differently Your Guide to Meaningful Giving
The most treasured gifts often can’t be found in a big-box store. This holiday season, discover the joy of giving that creates connections, supports your community, and nurtures our shared environment. Here are wonderful ways to make your celebrations more meaningful:
Create Memories Together
Transform your gift-giving into shared experiences that build lasting bonds. Cook a festive meal with loved ones, enjoy a local theater performance, or spend a day volunteering for a cause you support. These moments can become stories you’ll tell for years to come.
Embrace Cultural Traditions
Take inspiration from the heartwarming Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð, where families gift books and spend cozy evenings reading together by the fireplace. Choose books from your local library and create your own version of this beautiful custom.
Give from the Heart
Transform simple ingredients into treasured gifts by creating homemade treats in charming mason jars. Or explore your local Buy Nothing Group, where the spirit of reuse and community sharing turns pre-loved items into new treasures.
Empower Change
Make your giving go further by supporting Indigenous and Black-owned businesses, or celebrating Giving Tuesday (December 3rd) by contributing to organizations working toward a healthier world. If Habitable made your list, your contribution for a healthier world can be made here.
Shop Mindfully
When purchasing new items, you have more tools than ever to make choices that align with your values:
- Explore the Environmental Working Group’s Consumer Guides to discover products that meet high standards for health and sustainability
- Use the DetoxMe app from Silent Spring Institute to make informed choices about everyday products
- Check the Retailer Report Card from ToxicFreeFuture to support companies leading the way in sustainable practices
Support Local Artisans
Your community is filled with talented artists, craftspeople, and ethical manufacturers whose work tells a story. When you choose their creations, you’re not just giving a gift – you’re investing in your local economy and helping creative spirits thrive.
Inspiration for the Journey
Deepen your understanding and find inspiration through these enriching resources:
- Watch “Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy” on Netflix, an eye-opening documentary that reimagines our relationship with consumption and charts a path toward positive change
- Be moved by “The Green Buffalo,” showcasing the Lower Sioux Indian Community’s inspiring journey toward sustainable housing and economic renewal
- Explore The Serviceberry, a new book by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, offering a fresh perspective on our relationship with consumption and nature
This holiday season, let’s celebrate the power we have to create positive change through our choices. Every mindful decision, every local purchase, and every shared experience builds momentum toward a future where our celebrations honor both people and planet.
Together, we can make this holiday season one of connection, purpose, and joy.
Wishing you a season filled with meaningful moments,
The Habitable Team