Are you disgusted with the gross levels of consumerism that pops up every year around the winter holidays? Me too.

Despite what any corporate marketing company tells you, there’s nothing you NEED to buy on Black Friday or Cyber Monday that you don’t already know about.

In fact, we can fight back against corporate greed while still being generous to those we love. The first step is deciding to be intentional about the ways we use our money to support what we want to see in the world.

Reducing our consumption habits during the holiday season can be hard. Even if you’re not totally ready to stop gift-giving for the holidays (or have family that won’t let you off the hook), that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to fall into the consumerist trap that is holiday shopping season. Instead of mindlessly clicking “add to cart”, take a step back and consider some alternatives.

Here’s a few ideas to help you get started:

For the Bookworm:

  • Grab a book off their TBR wishlist or snag a gift card to Bookshop.org (a site that connects readers to independent booksellers all over the world).
  • Purchase a gift card from your local used bookstore or ThriftBooks.com
  • Give a paid subscription to their favorite Substack.

For the Outdoor Enthusiast:

  • Give an America The Beautiful Pass ($80 covers the entrance fees for lands managed by the National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife, US Forest Service, and more.)
  • Gift a State Park Pass (search your state + “park pass”)
  • Create your own “passport” of cool outdoor locations they can explore (like labyrinths or nearby trails.)

For the Family with Kids:

  • Annual memberships to a local zoo, botanical gardens, museums, or aquariums are a great gift. Many offer reciprocal benefits that allow discounted access to other locations.
  • Ask if the family has 529 plans for their children – many plans allow friends and relatives to easily contribute toward future postsecondary education costs.
  • Buy a round of mini golf, bowling, or other experience from a locally-owned family entertainment center.
  • Offer to babysit while the parents go out on a date night.
  • Dust off your skills from summer camp and teach the kids how to play games you used to love (many thrift stores carry used board games.)

For the Homebody:

  • PBS Passport (a $60 annual donation to your local PBS Station grants access to the PBS Passport streaming service where you can watch tons of great shows. I do this every year for my grandmother and I get to enjoy it too since they do not restrict the number of devices that can use the service.)
  • Gift a membership to someone’s favorite creator on Patreon.
  • Create your own basket of snacks from your locally-owned grocery store or farmer’s market.

For the Foodie:

  • Support local farms by gifting a CSA membership. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs connect consumers directly to local farms through weekly deliveries.
  • Give a monthly pastry kit from The Pastry Project. This woman-owned social enterprise is based in Seattle and is working to make pastry education accessible to those with barriers to employment.
  • Search your local thrift stores for cast-iron skillets or cookware. These will last a lifetime (and longer) with basic care and maintenance.
  • Hit up your local beekeeper for some honey. It’s better for you, and often cheaper per ounce than from the grocery store.
  • Stock up on slave-free chocolate for their stocking.

For the Person Who Has Everything:

More Ideas:

  • Support local queer-owned businesses using the Everywhere is Queer map.
  • Shop at local farmer’s markets, craft fairs, art shows, and small businesses. Not only does more of your money stay in your community when you shop locally, but you also are helping the environment by reducing the impact of shipping.
  • Postage Stamps are a gift that last forever, and there’s designs for just about everyone.
  • You don’t have to buy anything at all. Be willing to share your skills, talents, and creations with those you love. DIY and homemade gifts are just as valuable as anything you can buy.