Most people have received a holiday gift they did not want, and while they may not know it, they have likely given an unwanted gift. In fact, one survey found that 61% of American respondents admitted to receiving at least one unwanted gift during the holiday season (Wells-Barrett, 2019). What happens to these unwanted gifts and the wrapping they arrive in? One study found that Americans throw away 25% more trash than usual between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and another found that in 2017 Americans spent $12.7 billion on gift wrapping (Mandel, 2019).
While such waste is problematic, consumers are feeling more cost and environmentally conscious. Accenture’s recent survey on holiday shopping showed that two in five shoppers expect to spend less than they did during last year’s holiday season, and 43% plan to do all of their holiday shopping online (Accenture, 2020).
However, a global IBM study noted that budget constraints are not overwhelming consumers’ growing awareness of environmental needs. The study found that 54% of surveyed consumers across eight countries are willing to change their holiday shopping habits to help lessen their impact on the environment (PR Newswire, 2020). This holiday season is an opportunity for consumers to consciously evaluate what they give and how they give it.
Perhaps the most important starting point when evaluating how to shop more sustainably is to consider downsizing gift lists. One way to do this is to opt for gift exchanges, which limit the number of people to shop for. Also, choosing to shop locally will help support small businesses in the community. When an item isn’t available nearby or would need to be shipped, consider sending e-gifts to avoid the environmental and financial costs of mailing physical gifts.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation suggested a number of other sustainable holiday shopping and gifting ideas, including:
People don’t need to be afraid of putting their convictions in action when it comes to holiday shopping, particularly when it comes to fashion, an industry driven by fast fashion that has resulted in a worrying amount of waste. In Accenture’s 2019 holiday shopping survey, “48% of respondents said they would consider giving secondhand clothing as gifts, and even more — 56% — said they would welcome gifts of this kind for themselves” (Accenture, 2019).
In conclusion, consumers who take the time to consider how to give thoughtful gifts will receive peace of mind, knowing they have made sustainable choices this holiday season.
Accenture. (2019, October 1). Most US Shoppers Expect to Spend as Much or More This Holiday Season than Last Year, with Many Turning to Physical Stores for Inspiration, Accenture Survey Reveals. https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/most-us-shoppers-expect-to-spend-as-much-or-more-this-holiday-season-than-last-year-with-many-turning-to-physical-stores-for-inspiration-accenture-survey-reveals.htm
Accenture. (2020, September 30). Holiday research 2020–A retail season like no other. https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/retail/holiday-research-2020
Mandel, K. (2019, November 27). One thing you can do: Sustainable holiday shopping. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/climate/nyt-climate-newsletter-shopping.html
New York Department of Environmental Conservation. (n.d.) Sustainable holidays. https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8829.html
PR Newswire. (2020, November 17). IBM study: Majority of global consumers embrace e-commerce, sustainability for the holidays amid COVID-19. https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/travel-business-technology-lifestyle-sustainable-development-94c4e3df25de5c5f874558533688e329
Wells-Barrett, C. (2019, December 4). Christmas gift confessions 2019. Finder. https://www.finder.com/unwanted-gifts