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Health & Fitness

Be Green This Black Friday

Every year, Black Friday creeps ever more into the Thanksgiving holiday.  Many people haven’t digested their turkey dinner before they rush out to snatch a deal. 

 

Others are missing Thanksgiving all together to wait in long lines outside of big box stores that now open on Thanksgiving Day.  Everyone loves a good deal, but is it worth it to replace a shared meal with loved ones with consumer madness?  Surely, there must be an alternative.            

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Buy Nothing Day

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Instead of Black Friday, some people observe “Buy Nothing Day” on the day after Thanksgiving. Some want to avoid high-stress holiday shopping, and for others, it’s a protest against excessive consumerism, intended to draw attention to the social and environmental consequences of low-cost goods. 

 

Twenty-five dollars might seem like a steal for a Blu-ray player, but there are hidden costs: air and water pollution, health care costs and human rights abuses that aren’t reflected in the artificially low price tag. To learn more about these hidden costs, watch the engaging YouTube short video, the Story of Stuff.  

 

Fortunately, your loved ones are more likely to remember a unique experience than what mass-produced gift they received, so consider starting a new tradition of gift-giving this year.

 

The Do-It-Yourself Holiday

You can have a fun day with your family AND make unique, low-cost gifts by attending the DIY Holiday Gifts workshop on Black Friday, November 29th or December 7th from 1 PM to 4 PM at Angelic Organics Learning Center. The Learning Center is located on a beautiful, organic farm less than 15 minutes from Roscoe and Rockton.

 

Your family can meet the animals and then make gifts from natural materials. 

Participants will make lip balm, herbal bath salts, goat milk soaps, and nourishing calendula salve. Every person takes home six of each gift along with the knowledge and skill to go home and make more!  Registration is required, visit the website for more information: www.learngrowconnect.org.

 

Spend Your Hard-Earned Dollars Wisely, Compassionately

Perhaps the last time you tried to make something from scratch, you set the curtains on fire with your hot glue gun. So you’re no Martha Stewart, that’s all right too.  There are many options for finding unique eco-friendly gifts.

 

Buy Fair Trade

Fair Trade goods are environmentally and socially responsible products that were made by artisans or farmers in developing countries who were justly compensated with a fair, living wage. Fair Trade gifts are unique, worldly and meaningful.  Visit the National Green Pages to find a Fair Trade or Green Certified store near you.

 

 

Support Your Local Artists

More and more communities are offering handmade Holiday markets where consumers can purchase art and hand-crafted goods directly from the artist.  If you can’t find a handmade market, check out your local art gallery to see what creative treasures you might find!

 

A Gift with a Good Story

Instead of buying something new, consider something old – and with character.  Shopping at antique stores is a wonderful way to buy historic gifts and support the local economy.  Joe Cox from Tillymint’s Antiques & Collectibles in Rockton, IL, explains, “The antiques business is the ultimate recycling.  It keeps the best things on the market.”  Joe sells everything from vintage clothes, jewelry, dishes, toys and tools to locally crafted beeswax candles.  Head on over to your favorite antique store and see what treasures you might find!

 

No matter what budget or skills you possess, you can find green, alternative gifts that are sure to delight!

 

 

 


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