Conscious Living - Part 4. Slow Shopping
With Black Friday (and Christmas!) fast approaching, I wanted to take a step back from the shopping frenzy that has become the norm for the festive season these days, and write about how to shop more consciously. The magic of this time of year can easily be forgotten in the rush to buy gifts, decorations and food. I’m no humbug – I love Christmas – but I can’t help feeling that the old celebrations of the winter solstice have been forgotten in favour of heavily commercialised festivities.
In recent years, I have slowed down the way that I shop, similarly to the way that I have slowed down other aspects of my life. I still love giving and receiving gifts, but I think more consciously now about how I shop for both myself and for others. Many of us go beyond our means at this time of year, getting into debt as we spend crazy amounts of money on things that we simply don’t need. It’s not just the money that we spend though – we need to make more considered decisions about what we buy and where we buy from.
So when it comes to choosing gifts for my loved ones, I keep my list small. Honest conversations with family and friends a few years ago, led to curating a small list of my nearest and dearest, who I buy gifts for – heartfelt cards and festive get-togethers are sufficient for extended family and friends. I love to give experiences, such as weekends away, gig tickets or spa days that can be enjoyed together, but I also love to watch the expression on someone’s face when they open a carefully chosen present. The aim is to give them something that they will treasure and use for years to come, staying clear of gimmicky, throw-away presents. Buying less but buying better, taking care to choose an item that will be loved, and always thinking about quality rather than quantity when it comes to adding parcels beneath your tree.
Shopping more consciously isn’t just restricted to Christmas, of course, but this period of high consumption is a good place to start. At this time of year, we’re not only buying gifts, we are also acquiring decorations and seasonal food. Rather than relying on large chains, take this opportunity to shop locally, sustainably and seasonally. Buy locally grown fruit and vegetables from your neighbourhood grocery store or market. Choose Christmas cards designed by a local illustrator or even make your own. Forage for foliage to create your own yuletide decorations, or pay attention to choosing baubles, wreathes and garlands crafted from sustainable, natural materials.
Shopping more slowly also means taking more time to deliberate over what you are purchasing. Rather than rushing in blindly and grabbing objects in a panic, take the time to create a well-considered list of what to buy for each aspect of the festive period. Consider whether you could make or forage anything yourself while creating this list. Once you have your list, work out what you can procure locally or from sustainable and ethical sources. You probably won’t buy your entire Christmas dinner from your local market, but taking the time to gather some ingredients from a small bakery or your friend’s allotment helps to make your Christmas much more considered - and more special.
Remember that you don’t have to buy everything new when it comes to decorations. It can be tempting to change your festive colour scheme each year or to purchase new decorations to create a winter wonderland in your home, but it’s much more economical and sustainable to reuse the same decorations each year. When I was a child, we were allowed to each choose one new bauble each year, resulting in a chaotic but much-loved Christmas tree. Look to small, sustainable brands for decorations, opting for natural materials and designs that can easily be stored away and used year after year.
And - this is maybe the hardest one! Don’t leave your Christmas shopping until the last minute, as this can force you to buy from big corporations that promise fast delivery. Remember that many small makers will be creating their wares to order, to eliminate wastage, so allow plenty of time for your gifts to arrive. It may take a month for your purchase to arrive, but if you’ve planned ahead and are shopping at a slower pace, you should have plenty of time. Think of the look on your family member’s faces when they realise the thought and care you have put into their gift – that matters more than its size or monetary worth.
Small, Sustainable & Independent Christmas Shopping List
Here are a few recommendations from my favourite places to shop slow during the festive period:
I love the timelessness of these Turned Wooden Decorations from Rowen & Wren. One of my go-to shops for pieces for my home, Rowen & Wren sell British-made items that are consciously made. These hand-turned wooden baubles can be safely stored away and brought out every year to adorn your tree.
https://www.rowenandwren.co.uk/collections/for-your-tree/products/turned-wooden-decorations
I always put my favourite skincare products on my Christmas list, as I already know that I love using them. Magic Organic Apothecary’s Aphrodite Facial Oil is on my list this year, as I’m running low on my current bottle. Vegan, cruelty-free and containing natural ingredients, this beautifully scented oil is perfect for keeping your skin soft during the winter months.
https://moa.co.uk/collections/shop/products/facial-oil
The Future Kept is my favourite online place to shop small at Christmas. Owners Jeska and Dean focus on stocking consciously-crafted and ethically-sourced goods that are perfect for stuffing stocking or putting together your own hamper for a loved one. Expect to find everything from beautiful handmade ceramics to traditional Welsh blankets and organic loose-leaf tea.
I’ll be buying this year’s Christmas cards from a local illustrator, Dear Prudence. Based just around the corner from me in West Yorkshire, I love Laura’s focus on wildlife and nature in her designs. If you want to support local artists this Christmas, I recommend keeping your eye on Christmas markets and prints fairs in your area.
https://www.dearprudencestudio.com/christmas-cards
I’m a sucker for candles, and love giving my favourite candles to family members at Christmas. I look for eco-soy candles with cotton wicks, that contain essential and botanical oils - always stay clear of candles that contain paraffin. One of my favourite British candle brands is Earl of East London, especially their Atlas Cedar and Smoke & Musk scents.
https://www.earlofeast.com/collections/candles
This article was written for elliot. organics by Emma Lavelle. You can read more of her work here.