Cheap Ways to Avoid Overconsumption This Holiday Season

Gimmicks and gizmos aplenty. 

The holiday season comes with numerous different holiday-branded items we all have to have. However, until Jan. 1 comes around, it is time to pack up the decorations, and many of them end up in landfills. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans produce over four pounds of trash each day. 

There is no denying that the amount of waste from overconsumption in the United States is a national-level crisis. 

Overconsumption is defined as the act or fact of consuming to excess, which leads to surplus in waste in landfills. 

However, businesses keep feeding into the overconsumption market to try and make the greatest amount of profit. 

This cycle doesn’t need to continue. Here are some tips on how to avoid overconsumption this holiday season. 

Use paper bags as wrapping paper

We’ve all seen the iconic brown wrapping paper with pretty winter foliage on the front.

You can get the same look from items you have in your home. To create the brown wrapping paper, just cut an old Trader Joe’s shopping bag and wrap your gift. 

By doing this you are saving money and the environment while also having cutely decorated gifts.

buy gifts second-hand

Thrifting!

A girl’s favorite pastime, nothing is more unique than a thrifted bundle or find for your friend. These items can’t be found at the store and you can almost always guarantee that your friend would have not received the same gift from someone else. 

Get creative. Shopping at the thrift store helps promote local businesses, saves you money and gets your friend a personal gift. 

Make your own gifts

Homemade gifts have been blowing up on TikTok and, needless to say, I am obsessed. From collages to painted candlesticks, who doesn’t love a craft to do in their free time?

By making your own gifts, you are not giving into consumerism and giving your friend a personalized gift that shows your effort and care into the project.

host a thrifted white elephant

This has to be one of my favorite activities on the list.

Host a white elephant party with a bunch of friends and set a low budget ($20 or less). Your friends need to find items at the local thrift store or at their house to pass off during the white elephant. 

The best part is that you can set themes or just try to be funny with the items that people bring in. When I hosted a thrifted white elephant last year, I was graciously gifted with a sign that says “Cinderella takes the ball to the net and she scores,” which adorns my front door frame. 

skip the single-use boxes

I love baking holiday desserts for my friends as much as the next girl, but this holiday season, try to skip out on the single-use boxes.

Instead, use tupperware that can be returned or head to your local craft store to pick up the reusable containers that are holiday-themed to deliver your baked goods.

The holiday season is fun, but that doesn’t mean it needs to contribute to the eco-crisis. Consider these tips to celebrate the holiday season while staying green.

• eco-friendly
• holiday
• overconsumption
• tips