Green Tips - Enviro Holiday Shopping

The holiday season is without a doubt, the biggest collective spending spree of the entire year. Shops in malls will actually go almost the whole year without profit knowing that during the month of December they'll make all that money back.

The tendency is to try and not leave anyone out when buying presents, which is an admirable and generous quality. This, of course, because we're all so busy, leads to convenience shopping and rushing your purchases without thinking. It needn't be so.

Take one moment for a deep breathe, sit in your favorite chair and think about what store you're buying from and what you're buying.
REMEMBER: Capitalism drives the WHOLE WORLD, democracy only drives some of it. You vote with your money every time you buy, so try to vote for Environmentally friendly companies.

Here's some tips for you, and at the bottom you'll find a list of the more popular companies that have chosen to manufacture their products as green as possible.

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-Try to buy local products to reduce your buying footprint

-Buy products with less packaging, especially those packaged in plastic

-Buy Internationally certified fair trade and organic to make sure those who make it have a Happy Holiday as well

-If you're keen, make your gifts instead of buying them. The more time and thought you put into a gift, the better it will be received.

-Make donations in a person's name to their favorite charity. They feel good, you feel good, and someone else who NEEDS it has a happy holiday

-Buy carbon offsets to offset that vacation of yours or someone else's. Being carbon neutral is the best gift you can give to future generations. (Look at the bottom two good websites)

-Remember to think of energy usage in your home as well. Try not to leave your Christmas lights on all the time, just when you're there to see how pretty they are.

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A Couple Websites for a Happy Christmas:

Take a closer look at those major companies you buy from at:
-    http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/
Shop Online for people friendly products
-    http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/
To go carbon neutral this Christmas visit
-    http://www.carbonneutral.com/
-    http://www.carbonfootprint.com/
Here’s a list of links for everyday responsible shopping:
-    http://www.onlineorganizing.com/UsefulLinksSubCategory.asp?subcategory=responsibleshopping