In 2018, holiday retail sales surpassed the trillion-dollar mark (yes, 12 zeros), with U.S. households spending an average of $1,536 during the season.

GOOD NEWS: 66% of holiday shoppers will pay more for sustainable products.  Younger generations have dramatically improved our overall ecological consciousness score, with nearly two-thirds of shoppers now willing to pay extra for certified sustainable products. The leader of the pack is Generation Z (87%), followed by millennials (75%), while Generation X (62%) falls just behind the overall average. Even the most senior among us are doing their bit, with more than half (53%) prepared to spend extra for the planet’s sake.

 

When it comes to sustainable gift giving:

• Consider giving ‘experience’ gifts such as tickets to a movie, concert, or sporting event; or pay for classes to learn a new hobby or skill such as cooking, painting, or dancing.
• Consider ‘consumable’ gifts such as nuts, jellies, homemade desserts, soaps, lotion, or perfume.
• Most gift wraps and bags are not recyclable. Instead, consider using butcher paper or plain paper bags and decorate them with drawings or stamps. Or use fabric swatches, napkins, or scarves to wrap your gift.

 When one makes environmentally wise choices one is celebrating and respecting the gift of God’s creation, giving thanks for abundant resources.