Sustainable Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, many of us are making lists, hunting for the perfect gifts, and decorating our homes to create a festive atmosphere. But amid the hustle and bustle, it’s important to pause and consider the impact of our shopping choices. Sustainable holiday shopping and supporting local businesses can make a meaningful difference—not just for the planet, but for our communities and most directly- the families that take on the responsibility of running and managing ethical and sustainable small businesses.
The holidays are a season of joy and generosity, but they can also be a time of excess. From the mountains of packaging waste to the carbon footprint of long-distance shipping, the environmental cost of traditional shopping habits adds up. By choosing sustainable options, we can reduce our impact on the planet while still celebrating the season. And the craziest part? It’s so Easy nowadays…like…if you know a small business owner, chances are you can ask them to source you products under their resale certificate and chances are—-they can find the items you see in big Box stores. Not only that…I promise you a handmade item might be more expensive and a “small” gift, but it is so much more meaningful because you not only put a lot of thought in to the gift, you supported an artist/jeweler/potter/creator.
Sustainable shopping also doesn’t have to mean sacrifice. It can involve:
Choosing quality over quantity: Invest in thoughtful, durable gifts that will last.
Prioritizing eco-friendly materials: Look for items made from recycled, organic, or upcycled materials.
Buying secondhand or handmade: Vintage shops and thrift stores offer unique treasures that are both budget-friendly and sustainable.
Local businesses are the backbone of our communities, offering character, uniqueness, safe spaces for people of all abilities, employment for our neighbors and so much more. The holiday season is a lifeline for many small businesses, providing much-needed revenue to help them weather the slow months of January and February. And going in to my 4th holiday season with Great.full Goods I can tell you right now, as well as repeating what I’ve been saying leading up to this season—-your purchases are needed at small businesses more than ever since this was a tough year for many as consumers had to choose to feed their families and necessities over gifts and goodies.
When you shop local, your money stays within your community, fostering economic growth and strengthening local connections. Additionally, small businesses often prioritize sustainability in their practices, whether by sourcing materials locally, reducing waste, or producing goods in small batches to minimize overproduction.
So, how do you shop small this holiday season?
Explore Downtown Corridors : Many towns and cities host holiday markets showcasing local artisans and vendors. These events are a great way to find one-of-a-kind gifts. In Downtown Harrisonburg you can walk just a few blocks and find everything from gift certificates to meals at local restaurants to adorable little trinket boxes at a thrift store to gift them in!
Skip Amazon, Temu & Shein: These companies are not only ripping off art work and designs from small business owners, but they’re doing it without any reprocussions. Yesterday a young lady from Ohio posted a picture of a piece of pottery she made in 2010. She then posted that 150 replicas per day of the same design were being sold on Amazon and there was absolutely nothing she could do. Her daughter also was at St. Jude’s Children’s hospital seeking treatment for a rare cancer and her family could have really used that money to move closer to the hospital. You might be surprised by the means products are designed, manufactured and distributed through Big Box stores and these 3 online villains.
Gift experiences: Supporting local theaters, restaurants, or fitness studios by purchasing gift cards is a thoughtful way to give while supporting the community.
Shop online, but locally: Many small businesses have websites or social media platforms where you can shop from the comfort of your home. Ours even has an option to buy digital items that I’ve designed but never gotten printed on anything because I can’t afford to buy a bunch and then risk them not selling. This way, you can buy the items on my website and a 3rd party will do all the work for me and create them in small batches…saving waste and money for both of us.
Every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. I’m certainly not saying you’re hurting people by buying your socks on Amazon or grabbing teacher gifts from a wish list your kid’s teacher on Temu…but I am saying you’re supporting people that already have more money than they’ll ever know what to do with. By choosing to shop small and sustainable, you’re advocating for a healthier planet, vibrant communities, and an economy that values people over profits. For me…you’re helping put food on our staff’s tables…you’re helping Amelie get braces, my son drive home from college next year for breaks, Pax go to camp this summer and Asher’s special needs devices. You’re also helping my employees like the JMU students that work at Great.full and my Dad earn money to also dine, shop and explore our local restaurants and shops too.
This holiday season, let’s turn shopping into an act of kindness—not just toward our loved ones, but toward our neighbors, our local business owners, and our planet. With every dollar spent, we have the power to create a ripple effect of positive change.
So, as you cuddle up on the couch watching holiday movies and write your holiday shopping list, remember this: Sustainable shopping is more than just a trend; it’s a way to spread holiday cheer in a way that lasts long beyond the season. 🎄✨
I appreciate you all and we’re already seeing such a wonderful number of tourists visit Agora from Massanutten to buy gifts. Small business Saturday is a big big day for us and I can’t wait for you all to come in soon!
Drink water and breathe!
Mel
