A Prayer for Simplicity
Provider of food, Outfitter of lilies, Painter of sunsets, you offer us joy in the simplicity of your creation, and peace in your presence. Protect us from the allure of abundance. Help us find contentment, not in things, but in our relationship with you. Draw our attention to those who are in need and we can help. Give us today our daily bread, and help us to be thankful for it. Amen.
- From ReClaim Prayer
Knowledge
Last week we learned all about the importance of finding sustainable ways of wrapping gifts this season. This week let’s talk about what we put inside those packages. I often find myself at a loss when shopping for gifts. I prefer to receive practical things, ‘experience gifts’, or donations to causes important to me. I have found, however, that others appreciate giving and receiving differently than I do. How do we find a way to purchase items that will be appreciated while staying close to a commitment to reduce/eliminate plastic and to be kind and loving to our earth?
When my children were small, we followed the saying, “something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read.” It was a good balance.
A resource I have used in the last two years is Beyond Plastic’s Plastic Free Holiday Gift Guide. One of their suggestions is an e-gift certificate (avoid plastic gift cards!) to a local Refill store or a Zero Waste store.
I found this resource this year is through One5c. They suggest buying secondhand and have published their five favorite secondhand online shops. Buying second-hand, or even regifting, is a great way to get high-quality items at affordable prices while being kind to our planet.
Have a conversation with those with whom you are exchanging gifts. Challenge them to shop sustainably and let them know that doing so is giving a gift to both the person on the tag and the planet – two for the price of one.
Action
Check out One5c’s 12 Days of Underconsumption for 11 other tips on a sustainable holiday.
Begin your own journey or invite your family and friends on a journey into the world of Zero Waste. The average American produces 5 lbs of garbage every day. A Google search of “zero waste” will produce several good results. I like Marley’s Monsters and Zero Waste Store for a wide range of gift ideas. You could even include a note as to why you chose a zero waste gift.
And of course, watch out for greenwashing – the practice of making something seem eco-friendly that really isn’t. I have made that mistake more often than I care to admit.