How Wish Lists Can Be a Sustainable Shopping Tool

A Christmas list? You’re in your mid twenties. That’s silly. Yes, but no.

When we think of Christmas lists we think of kids writing to Santa. And yes, it might be silly for an adult to make a Christmas list, but I do because my friends and family can be intimated by my ethical shopping habits and lifestyle and not know where to start.

woman making christmas wish list — Pin this post for later

As I started my list this year I was thinking about it and I think holiday wish lists can be a really practical tool for impactful, conscious gift giving…even though as adults wish lists seem to be frowned upon. Hear me out….

Are Wish Lists Are Sustainable Tools for Adults?

These are a few reasons why adult wishlists might just be an eco-friendly shopping tool.

WE NEED TO QUIT BUYING JUST TO BUY

We all know how it goes….you tell your family members not to buy you anything, but they do anyway. So you might as well get something useful or impactful instead of the cliché “I didn’t know what to get you gifts” you end up regifting or throwing out…the soap, the socks the candles, the chocolates?

You know what I’m talking about. And we see Black Friday and Cyber Monday furthering the drive to buy things you don’t want just because they’re on sale.

I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, but if we’re going to gift then let’s purchase with impact and practicality, not just buying to buy.

Reduce the Amount of Unwanted Gifts Ending Up in Landfills

Wish lists allow people to receive gifts they’ll actually want and use. Not unwanted items that end up in landfills.

ENCOURAGES YOUR LOVED ONES TO SHOP RESPONSIBLY

By creating a wish list you’re encouraging your loved ones to purchase intentionally. This can be an opportunity to direct them to small businesses you love. You’re also creating an educational shopping experience by directing them to these ethical brands and shops.

This encourages them to learn about the socially responsible brands on your list which is great. It could be the start of their conscious consumer journey!

And the money that they were going to spend on that soap and candle gift set is now going to a worthy small business because your list directed them there.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t NEED most of the things on my list. And I’m not going around handing out my Christmas list to everyone I know like I did as a child.

But if a family member asks, it makes it easy for me to give them options through an easy link to an ethical website that I value and know has strong ethics.

Whether you opt to make a wishlist or not, I encourage you to practice intentional gift giving and not just buying to buy this holiday season!

For more resources on ethical gift giving consider checking out our Ethical Holiday Gift Guide, 30 Ethical Gifts Under $30, Discounts page, or Ethical Brand Directory. You have such powerful purchase power to vote with your dollar, use it wisely and encourage others to do the same! :)

SUSTAINABLE HOLIDAY TIPS