This holiday season, save money, decrease stress, and increase joy by choosing alternatives to the usual consumer trappings.
gifts
5 Alternatives to Fast Flowers On Valentine’s Day

Most Valentine’s Day flowers in the US travel thousands of miles in refrigerated holds, burning fossil fuels. Here are some rosy alternatives.
7 Low-Waste Gifts in Jars Your Recipients Will Love

Just about everything looks better in a jar, especially food. These gifts in jars look impressive but most require little hands-on work.
5 Ways to Wrap Holiday Gifts Without the Waste

Beautifully wrapped gifts need not produce a pile of waste. Choose fabric or recycled paper that you secure with homemade paper tape.
7 Simple Gifts to Sew for Your Favorite Zero Waster

Sew handmade, zero-waste gifts for the favorite zero waster on your list. These easy projects will help you help yours divert trash from landfill.
Lower-Waste Goodie Bags, Prizes and Stocking Stuffers

The goodie bag dilemma Earlier this week, a reader asked me if I had any good ideas for kids’ goodie bags. She and her family throw a big Christmas party every year. She cooks all sorts of delicious food, organizes games for the kids and dresses up as Santa. She had been stressing out over […]
9 Simple Ways to Reduce Holiday Consumption

The holidays can present many challenges for anyone trying to cut their waste. From the parties, to the feasts to the gifts—and everyone’s expectations—you may feel like throwing your hands in the air and throwing in the (disposable) towel. These nine steps will help you reduce your consumption, retain your sanity and keep (mostly) everyone […]
13 Gifts in Jars You’ll Want to Keep for Yourself

I’m like those department stores you hate that begin selling Christmas decorations well before you’ve even chosen a Halloween costume. But hear me out. You may not have started thinking about the holidays but for some of these gifts, you need to start now, hence the early post. Others on this list you can start […]
Gifts in Jars: Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Click here to jump to the recipe If you’re like me—in panic mode/denial about the date—and need a quick, thoughtful Christmas gift, you can throw together this cookie-mix-in-a-jar present in a few minutes and maybe also spur a conversation with your recipient about zero-waste and plastic-free living. Think of it as a quiet, delicious way […]