Though it can be the most wonderful time of the year, the holidays can be stressful. They are also expensive and wasteful. From excessive spending on gifts, decor and holiday parties, to planning and preparation, Americans throw away a whopping 25% more garbage during this time.
Worried about your family's footprint or finances this season? Fret not. With our hot holiday gifting hacks below, you can save your green while going greener at the same time.
Make homemade health, cleaning or beauty products instead of buying from large retail stores. You can save money and be more eco-friendly with these personalized gift ideas.
Vinyl record bowls. If you have vinyl records that are scratched or just taking up space, they can be converted into decorative bowls in the oven. These can be used as display pieces, flowerpots or just a catch-all for keys and other ephemera.
Handmade bookmarks. Crochet bookmarks are a unique, hand-crafted gift for the bookworms in your life. Or a poetic use for old holiday greetings cards could be to cut them up into bookmarks. A hole-punch and some string to give them a tassel will give them just a bit more utility.
Make some pantry stable meals to give to those who might enjoy them. While you're at it, make few bonus meals for those busy nights when cooking is a chore, so you don’t have to waste money and calories ordering or grabbing fast food.
Painting/patching thrifted clothes. This is a hands-on way to make one-of-a-kind creative gifts. Hand-printing aprons, patching and painting on denim jackets and jeans are all ways to upcycle and demonstrate some artistic flair. And if sewing is a bit above your skill level, some hot glue action never hurt anybody (who was careful).
Check online for services that allow for a custom message to be sent to your loved one. There are several websites that can connect you to a celebrity of your choice for a personalized greeting, such as Cameo. Choose from actors, comedians, YouTube and TikTok creators, musicians, public speakers, athletes and more across every budget ($3 and up) to create a special greeting or video message.
For more ideas on how to create additional eco-friendly holiday gifts, check below to see what you can use your Canton Public Library card to access.
- Create a handmade gift with one of Creativebug's 250+ holiday craft tutorials that will guide you with step-by-step instructions.
- Hone your wrapping and decorating skills with these helpful videos:
Of course, we always have plenty of books available for nearly every crafting and DIY interest.
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