Dreaming of a green Christmas
Think global...Shop local!
Page 5
Entertain all options before heading for the mall
Choosing to opt out of shopping altogether this year? Consult “Simplify the Holidays,” a booklet produced by Takoma Park-based Center for a New American Dream. It urges shoppers to steer clear of credit card debt and the season’s commercialism, and “consider creating holidays that instill more meaning into the season and encourage more sharing, laughter, and personal renewal.”
Included are questions to help you reflect on what kind of holiday celebration you want and a list of simple gift ideas, many of which won’t cost you a cent. The publication is available in a pdf format or for purchase at www.newdream.org
If you do shop, the Center for a New American Dream asks that you do so responsibly. Their “Conscious Consumer” site offers guides for “what to look for in environmentally and socially preferable products, the availability of these products in the local community, and green efforts of local businesses.”
Buy Local Day, a project of Global Exchange, reminds us that local businesses produce more income, jobs, and tax receipts for local communities than do big box stores and chain outlets at the malls. Local stores are also more likely to use local ads, banks and other services. And they preserve the economic diversity of communities and unique character of neighborhoods. At the same time they’re better for the environment. Among other things, shopping locally cuts down on fuel consumption and sprawl. www.globalexchange.org
Who says that Christmas windows are a thing of the past?
Click to see a slideshow of Takoma Park's Holiday windows
Interested in learning more about the importance of developing ethical shopping practices? Do your research. There are many resources available: books, web sites, magazines, even local meet-ups.
Next page: A women's boutique with a conscience
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