conscious shopping for the holiday season and beyond
Cyber Monday has come and gone; Black Friday is now a faint memory. Millions worldwide headed into cyberspace and brick-and-mortar stores to make purchases. Ideas abound on the internet regarding Black Friday aka “Buy Nothing Day.” While Black Friday is over, two posts - Ban Black Friday This Year from Growing a Green Family (found via Vegan Beauty Review) and 7 Reasons to Avoid Black Friday over at Bliss Tree – bring up some good ideas regarding holiday shopping in general. Here at les violettes, there is a plan underway to make more conscious shopping choices for the holiday season and beyond. Why not lend a hand to some worthy causes?
The National Anti-Vivisection Society campaigns to eliminate animal testing in product development, education and biomedical research. The Oceanic Society is as well known for whale watching expeditions as it is for conservation. Animal Legal Defense Fund educates future animal rights lawyers and defends animal rights in court. Amazon Conservation Team focuses on the cultural aspects of conservation. International Vegetarian Union is over 100 years old. Founded in Dresden, Germany in 1908, it’s an international group dedicated to vegetarianism. Charity Water brings drinking water to developing nations that is clean and safe.
American Forests protects our forests and plants trees – the site is worth visiting for the personal climate change calculator and the air quality calculator alone. American Bird Conservancy protects wild birds and their habitats in the Americas. Project Blue is a cause with a plan to save and restore the world’s oceans. African Wildlife Foundation has been around since 1961 and takes a unique approach to protecting and conserving the landscape and wildlife. World Resources Institute is a think tank that uses practical means to balance human needs with environmental concerns. Food Not Bombs serves vegan and vegetarian meals in over 1,000 cities worldwide.
Interested in making a more informed choice about which charity to choose? Try Charity Navigator or American Institute of Philanthropy. Go to either of these sites to evaluate a number of causes. Another fairly new site that supports the charity of your choice is social vibe. It’s currently in beta and works as follows: choose from more than 20 charities; promote sponsors to your social media friends; earn points that result in money for your chosen cause.
There are vegetarians who go to food banks. Why not donate some vegan food items or money earmarked specifically for vegetarian meals? Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest) could use your help. Operation Blessings assists with a variety of programs including clean water, medical aid and hunger relief.
Short on money? Get together a group of friends, neighbors, etc. and each donate $2-$10 to the organization of your choice.
Really short on money? Volunteer some time (even if it’s two hours) at your favorite organization.
Really short on money and time? Make a techie contribution via sites that donate based on a daily visits to a page with a list of sponsors or puzzles and trivia games. Some of my favorites are: Greater Good, Help Thirst, Free Poverty and Free Kibble.
Rather than going to retailers, visit your favorite museum. You can also support them by taking out a membership or making a purchase at the gift shop. Many museums have one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly and fair trade items.
Some retailers have the option of making a donation to charities or even donating part of your purchase.
Purchase one special gift for you; buy one gift for someone special; make one donation to charity.
Most importantly, have a conscious and enjoyable holiday season!
What are your conscious shopping plans?