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How to Shop all Year Round for Christmas Gifts
A Christmas post in March might be a little unusual, but I’m giving it a go anyhow. I truly love buying gifts for people, but Christmas and holiday gifts became my least favourite ones to buy. The holidays season always seems to come with pressure to buy gifts and various gift giving obligations that that take the fun out of it. I actually boycotted buying gifts for a few years because I didn’t want to just be a consumer. Eventually I found a way to enjoy giving gifts again and I did that by shopping all year round. This not only helps make gift giving fun, but also has a…
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44 Ways to Give your Loved One the Gift of Time this Valentine’s Day
I’m always looking for ways to give gifts that don’t involve a huge amount of “stuff.” It isn’t easy though, because gifts of stuff are often easy–especially when things are always being advertised and wish lists are often being updated. With Valentine’s Day approaching, I’ve been thinking of ways to give the give of time instead of the gift of stuff–or at least maybe a bit of both. What is the “gift of time”? There is a basic idea out there that everyone receives love a different way, more specifically in one of five ways: acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, and quality time. I’ve mentioned the…
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Don’t toss those cards: Easy ways to upcycle Christmas cards
Every year after the holidays, I find myself with a small stack of Christmas cards that feel way too nice to throw away. If you’ve ever felt the same, learning how to upcycle Christmas cards is such a simple (and satisfying) solution. With their thick paper, beautiful artwork, and thoughtful messages, Christmas cards are perfect for turning into handmade decorations, gift tags, and keepsakes—allowing for them to be enjoyed long after the tree comes down! Why upcycle Christmas cards? Reusing Christmas cards makes sense on multiple levels. From a sustainability standpoint, paper waste is common over during the holidays. While recycling helps, reuse is even better—it conserves resources and keeps…
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How to Shop Less this Year
There’s nothing like the holiday season to remind us of how easy it is to spend money. It’s also the season to remind us of our budgets and possibly just how stretched those are. Since money might be on the top of your mind too, I thought I’d ponder the idea of shopping less this year. Whether you are looking to spend less money in general or are trying to save money, shopping less is an important part of that journey. How to shop less this year and why it matters Shopping less is going to have a number of positive effects. Shopping less will help you stay within your…
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DIY Ugly Christmas sweater: Upcycle an old sweater into a holiday classic
Ugly Christmas sweaters have become a holiday staple — bright, goofy, quirky, and proudly over-the-top. But as fun as they are, most people wear them only once or twice before tossing them in the back of the closet… or worse, into the trash. That’s where things get a little less festive. Textile waste is a huge worldwide problem, and novelty garments like holiday sweaters quietly contribute to it every year. Instead of buying another fast-fashion sweater destined for a landfill, the eco-friendly solution is surprisingly fun: make your own. Last year, feeling frugal, my daughter and I created a DIY sweater for her ‘Red, Green, and Bling’ spirit day at…
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5 Eco-friendly Christmas crafts: Upcycled decorations using cardboard
Eco-friendly Christmas crafts make this season of consumption feel more less wasteful and more meaningful. By using materials like cardboard, paper bags, and paper tubes, we can create handmade decorations that are both sustainable and full of charm! Making your own decorations from discarded items around the house is an easy, affordable way to celebrate the holidays while reducing waste and adding something uniquely personal to your home. Whether you’re decorating your home, crafting with kids, or looking to reduce your holiday footprint, these projects bring creativity and sustainability together. Looking for more fun activities to do with kids? Check out past posts here! Why craft with cardboard, paper bags,…
