2022 LAST-MINUTE holiday gift ideas

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see that I’m softly but surely making a more regular return to posting content. This gradual increase has been in anticipation for the one post I can’t miss all year — my annual holiday gift guide! I’ve enjoyed doing this essentially since I started Ethigirl (aside from 2020 for unfortunately obvious reasons). It’s such a pleasure to put aside everything that happened throughout the year and get out on the hunt to bring you the coolest gift ideas ever.

See all past years’ versions here: 2018 | 2019 | 2021

With this post, I’m bringing you the ULTIMATE last-minute gift guide. As an occasional procrastinator, I’ve looked at a fair share of these kinds of guides myself, and they typically fall short. But this one is cool, local, thoughtful, ethical, sustainable, meaningful, and full of gifts your people will actually LOVE.

A quick disclaimer here: I know each business’ holiday cutoff times are different. I also know availability of each item in your area will be different. I hope some of these ideas will apply to you based on what you can access!

At this point, you may or may not still be in shippable territory. If you’re in an urban area or can access one, local pickup is better for the environment as it reduces shipping emissions — but if you’re in a rural area (like me, currently) or can’t get out to the stores, express shipping might be one of your only options. I encourage you to balance what is accessible for you and what aligns with your values.

So, let's dive in!

Eat Me

〰️

Drink Me

〰️

Eat Me 〰️ Drink Me 〰️

Specialty Food Items From Brunette (Or Another Local Grocery/Online Shop)

Brunette is an online, Montreal-based gourmet food retailer, which offers gifts, goods, and merchandise from the city’s top chefs, restaurants, and grocers. Montreal is such a major food city, with so many iconic spots and celebrities, so a business like this is incredibly cool to have. I ordered a box of their goods for my parents last year, and it was one of their favourite Christmas gifts! If your family is into food, try this site out. Or, pop into your local boutique grocery store and see what treasures you can find! Many of them also have websites nowadays.

From Brunette, I recommend ANYTHING from Stefano Faita, or one of their cool gift bundles.

Fair Trade Food - Coffee, Tea, Chocolate And More From Rosette Fair Trade

Rosette offers an abundance of fair trade goods in an easily-navigable site, and acts as a one-stop-shop for all things ethical! It also stocks Oxfam Fair Trade products, which provides Canadians access to a whole host of products that we can’t normally get here. In 2019, founder Lia Walsh VERY kindly gifted whole box of snacks to try, and everything was so delicious!

Another thing which I love about Rosette Fair Trade is that it sells Palestinian-made products! That’s why this year, I’m recommending the Zatoun gift bundle of Palestinian products, which comes with fair trade olive oil, soap, and za’atar (a Palestinian herb mix). This purchase directly supports Palestinian olive farmers, keeping a traditional practice alive while also economically assisting surrounding communities.

Spices From Diaspora Co.

What it is: Diaspora Co. was founded in 2017 by Sana Javeri Kadri, a third-generation Mumbai native, with the goal of creating accessible pathways to higher-quality, equitable spices and to build long-term partnerships with Indian farmers. Since its inception, the company has grown tremendously, and offers a great array of delicious products. The website has a dedicated page just for gift ideas, so take a look!

What I recommend: Check out The Trio, which allows you to choose three spices as a "starter pack” for your recipient, or The Pantry Refresh, which is comprised of six of Diaspora’s most popular spices.

A Coffee or Tea Apparatus

Hot drinks are one of the best things on the planet, and like many, I’m absolutely obsessed with coffee. This gift idea was inspired by my partner, who amazingly gifted me (and us, quite frankly) an espresso machine this year! Prior to that, I was using a cracked French press for way too long. Replacing that horrible item with something that has actually revolutionized my morning routine was one of the best things I could ask for.

So an espresso machine is one option, or if that doesn’t suit your needs, you could try a pour-over (with a reusable filter, to avoid waste), a different type of coffee machine, a nice kettle, a teapot, or a nice insulated mug/thermos in their favourite colour. I personally have my eye on this stoneware teapot set from United by Blue, a certified B-Corp that removes one pound of trash from oceans and waterways for every purchase.

Aside from apparatuses, you could also consider a nice bag of Fairtrade beans or tea! No one will ever be unhappy at that gift.

Zero-Waste Gin From Loop

Loop is a Montreal company that is seeking to solve food waste by using it to create innovative products (thus, closing the Loop!). They started out by making cold-pressed juices, and quickly expanded to a variety of other items, including gin!

The Lime Ginger Gin I’ve linked is made from potato chip waste which Loop rescues from a nearby factory.

Your recipient will be happy to have a delicious and sustainable gift with a very cool party story! According to Loop’s website, you can currently buy the gin at the SAQ (Quebec), LCBO (Ontario), ANBL (New Brunswick), and Highlander Wine & Spirits (Calgary).

Products from Peace by Chocolate

Peace by Chocolate is a wonderful company founded by the Hadhads, a family of chocolatiers from Syria who found themselves as refugees after their original chocolate factory in Damascus was bombed. After living in Lebanon for three years, they were invited to settle in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where they relaunched their chocolate company.

I can say myself that the chocolate is absolutely delicious and you would be crazy not to buy it. Moreover, 3-5% of profits from every sale are donated to the Peace on Earth Society — a charity which supports global peace building projects.

And as a Maritimer myself, it’s a must-recommend!

Coming up next...

Art

〰️

Music

〰️

Art 〰️ Music 〰️

Artwork and Items that support artists

Cheese Dreams throw blanket from Society6

Specifically over the past few weeks with the rise of AI art, we’ve been having a lot of conversations about PAYING ARTISTS FAIRLY FOR THEIR WORK. This is such an important issue — art is important and we need it to keep us going. As such, what better time than the holidays to gift your loved one a piece of art that you directly supported the artist in order to do it?

There are a couple of different platforms you could look at for this! Some that come to mind for me include Society6, which is a platform on which artists can sell their art by featuring it on a number of mediums, including mugs, prints, rugs, curtains, bedding, and more. The list has actually kept growing and growing throughout the years I’ve been aware of Society6.

Of course, as I mentioned last year, Etsy is a wonderful small business marketplace to source all kinds of gifts, including art and creative pieces. Some of the things I recommended last year are this Sailboat Jewelry Holder, this Cereal-Scented Candle, this absolutely gorgeous Suncatcher, and these Flower Beaded Earrings. But seriously, go take a look yourself!

A Secondhand or Vintage record Player

If you have a loved one who is music-obsessed, I think one of the most thoughtful things you can get for them is a record player, or a physical form of their favourite music. Obviously, having every single song ever at your fingertips like we do these days is amazing, but listening to something on a record player is another experience.

I know that there are a lot of environmental concerns with records and record players, so that’s why I recommend this as something for someone you know will truly treasure it and get a lot of use out of it. As well, consider getting one secondhand — my current one is, and the amount of character and coziness it has is something I never take for granted. I also love displaying my records as artwork on my wall with these record wall mounts from Etsy.

Merch From Their Favorite Artist, Movie, or Show

Did your loved one share their Spotify Wrapped on Instagram (or other music streaming platform version of this)? If not, get them to, and figure out who their favourite artist was this year. Then, find a way to get them merchandise! T-shirts, posters, etc…. and this doesn’t even just have to apply to music. If they’re more into movies or television, the same thing applies.

For every one of your recipient’s interests, there is sure to be a merchandise shop somewhere — either on the website of the thing, or on somewhere like Etsy or Redbubble. A favourite musician will certainly have a t-shirt or pin for sale on their website. Get creative, and you’re sure to find something they’ll treasure forever!

An Instrument

I feel like we all have that person in our life who has always said, “one day I’m going to learn how to play the guitar” (I do — and they’re doing it!). If you do, help them! Learning a new hobby or talent is literally so special and one of the best things someone can do for themselves.

For a secondhand instrument, check out somewhere like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Craigslist, or eBay!

Let's dive into the next section!

Beauty

〰️

Home

〰️

Self-Care

〰️

Beauty 〰️ Home 〰️ Self-Care 〰️

Sustainable, Ethical, or Vintage Jewelry

Are you looking for something thoughtful that your recipient will never forget? Jewelry just might be the right fit! If you want something secondhand or vintage, I suggest scouring thrift stores or flea markets, or again - checking out Etsy! Or, perhaps you have something of your own that you don’t wear anymore that you can think they’d love?

There are also a number of sustainable jewelry brands popping up that you might consider taking a look at, such as Mejuri (which I feel like everybody with an Instagram account is aware of at this point) or Vitaly.

As a side note, during research I also came across this vintage musical jewelry box on Etsy, which I just may be obsessed with…

Meaningful Christmas Ornament

If your loved one celebrates Christmas, a special ornament is a great way to their heart.

My family’s Christmas tree is an absolute montage of all our memories, hobbies, pets, and gifts from over the years. We’ve got more “____ First Christmas” ornaments than you can imagine. It’s super sentimental and eclectic, and getting to take them all out and get flooded with memories every year is so lovely.

I think it’s so special to gift that ability to someone else, too!

Ethical Cosmetics/Skincare

There are all kinds of wonderful ethical & sustainable cosmetics and skincare brands out there, but my ride or die is always Lush (as all long-time readers know) — especially for gifts! They are ethical and sustainable by-the-book on every cause, their products are all natural, their employees are treated fairly, they are serious about animal testing, they are vocal about human rights and activism, and most recently, they’ve decided to break up with social media!

Lush has a pretty extensive and wonderful gift selection! I most recently gifted Hello Gorgeous for a birthday, and my recipient was SO happy. I also suggest Charity Pot, a body cream for which Lush donates 100% of the profits to grassroots charities.

Candles from Shy Wolf Candles

Shy Wolf Candles are hand-poured using soy wax in Grey Highlands, Ontario. Founder Julie Klukas gets all her inspiration from rock and roll, tarot, nature, and community. All of the candles have different themes, and they smell absolutely lovely — can confirm! They’re high-quality, long-lasting, look beautiful on a counter, and some of them support cool causes, too.

If you live in Southern Ontario, you can order by December 19th for Christmas delivery!

Some other amazing candle brands I can recommend are P.F. Candle Co. and Mala the BrandMala the Brand.

Your Favourite Book - or a Book that makes you think of them

Is it just me who’s trying to read more in 2023? Getting a book is such a thoughtful and amazing gift! Something you could do is buy them a copy of your favourite and write them a nice note inside on why you’re giving it to them. I promise they’ll cherish it forever.

If you’re looking for book recommendations, check out Indigo’s Best Books of 2022.

And, for our final section...

Experiences, Not Things!

〰️

Experiences, Not Things! 〰️

Lessons — in Music, Languages, and More!

Maybe your person already has the instrument? Okay, gift them a lesson or two!

Or maybe, they want to learn something else! Gifting them lessons is such a great way to help them get started. For me, for example, I’ve been taking French lessons for months on Preply, an online language learning platform based in Kiev, Ukraine. I’ve loved how it’s kept me accountable to actually practice and advance at a skill that’s important to me. If you or a loved one might want to learn or practice a language this way, too, you’re in luck — I have a referral link! Get 70% off your first lesson by clicking here!

donation to a cause they care about - with a small physical token

If there’s an organization whose work they are passionate about, this might be a good option! Some people truly mean it when they say they don’t want anything, and this is a good way to ensure they know you are still thinking of them. This thoughtful option could also go very well paired with another small item, if you wished.

CanadaHelps is a good platform to donate to charities in Canada!

a spa or Hotel gift card

Who do you know that could use a massage, a trip to the Nordic spa, or a stay in a hotel? Aside from literally anyone, this might do the trick for someone on your list! The best thing with gift cards is they are SO last-minute friendly, but something like this isn’t your average $50 to Best Buy — they will truly never forget an experience like this!

I am a huge Nordic spa person (if you’ve never gone yourself, you have to!), so I have to recommend the following spas:

Montreal: Spa Bota Bota
Whistler: Spa Scandinave
Victoria: Ritual Nordic SpaRitual Nordic SpaRitual Nordic Spa

A Travel Gift Card — with a Carbon Offset

If your recipient has decided they’re ready to get on a plane again (especially if it’s to come see you), help them make it easier with a gift card from FlightGift! It’s a service that allows you to purchase a gift card that the recipient can use toward virtually any airline and any destination. I gifted one of these to a friend earlier this year and they were incredibly happy! You could also go the extra mile by advance-purchasing them a carbon offset for their trip through a platform like Less.

Well, there you have it! I sincerely hope one of these gifts is going to get you over the finish line with your gift-giving this year. (Or maybe you haven’t even started yet — no judgement). I know it can be a stressful time of year, so ensure you take time to relax, too.

What did I miss? Which gift did you like the most? Please let me know in the comments!

With love and sustainability,
Ethigirl

“sustainability guilt” and re-centering joy: interview with juliette escande, sustainable food aficionado

Aspen: So, tell me about your history with food and sustainability.

Juliette: I became vegetarian for weird reasons. I started living by myself from a young age and I was worried about how I’d ensure I stayed healthy. So I decided to make a change in my diet. I knew that if I focused on that with a goal in mind I could stay motivated, learn new recipes, and eat less takeout.

Later on, when I came to McGill, I initially wanted to focus my degree just on business. But when I found out about the Fair Trade Corner (a volunteer-run, by-donation coffee stand on campus) I got excited about food and sustainability. That’s what pushed me to change my degree to Managing for Sustainability and make it more than just my daily life. I loved my classes; for one of them we even came up with a venture idea to reduce food waste. I then found a job at Lufa Farms as Community Coordinator, through which I educated folks about sustainable foods and their importance.

Source

Aspen: I relate to what you said about making vegetarianism a project. I learned so much about cooking and creativity, plus ate out way less, during my time as a vegetarian. Could you tell me more about what specifically sustainable food means to you?

Juliette: Working at Lufa made me realize that the most important thing is eating locally -- it’s not only good for the environment, but also accessible and beneficial to the economy. It checks all the boxes. Local usually means less packaging and less food miles. In order to buy with as little packaging as possible, I go to the farmers’ market, which is super cheap and you can bring your own bags. To me, that’s the most sustainable you can be.

Aspen: I agree. For me, when I started out, I thought eating zero meat was peak sustainability, but I later realized it wasn’t for many people for many reasons, including myself. Also, meat isn’t inherently bad for the environment, it’s just how we produce it. 

Juliette: I was once told that sustainability isn’t about vegetarianism, it’s about mindfulness. The moment you become conscious of your choices, you start making a difference. The idea of just one day cutting out all meat is so discouraging and overwhelming. So if I eat meat, am I mindful of where it came from? Being mindful also means not just replacing your meat with vegetarian substitutes, which aren’t necessarily great for the environment either!

A Lufa Farms fresh produce basket.

Aspen: I agree and I like that. Being mindful is super important. When people feel like if they’re not doing it perfectly it’s not worth it at all, that’s discouraging and gatekeeping. In reality, eating meat once a week is not much worse than not eating it at all. It’s important to shift into that mindset.

With that said, how do you balance taking care of both yourself and the planet?

Juliette: I find that sometimes, even if you’re not doing something by the “textbook definition” of sustainability, there’s always another way to adjust. It’s not about specific rules that need to be followed; we don’t need to be so strict on ourselves. Putting all this pressure on yourself is not worth it. For me, it’s more about asking myself “what’s the best thing I can do to reduce this waste”. It’s a matter of adjusting to the situation and not telling yourself there’s a right-and-wrong way. The other week, I ordered from GoodFood because I got a great promotion, and when it arrived the packaging made me feel sick. But at the same time, if I’m broke, I shouldn’t feel guilty of taking advantage of an offer to get $80 off my groceries. However, feeling guilty also means something -- I understand the consequences of my actions. I can weigh the decisions and adapt accordingly.

Aspen: Completely agree. I wrote a recent article about how HelloFresh helped me. Although I feel awful about the packaging and not cooking from scratch or local, I’ve been eating healthy meals and I’ve been more satisfied with myself.

Juliette: And you actually end up wasting less food! 

Aspen: Yes, exactly! And I feel like we don’t talk enough about the mental health impact of all this sustainability guilt. If you’re feeling guilty about how your individual decisions are destroying the environment all the time, that’s really unhealthy. Ensuring all our purchases are sustainable is an unfair expectation. It’s important to balance what sorts of pressures we’re putting on ourselves, and whether they’re actually productive.

What’s a main tip you’d give to someone looking to make their diet more sustainable?

Juliette: Go to the farmers’ market! It’s hard to stay connected to our food. For me, sometimes food is just like brushing my teeth - something I need to do today. It can be hard to find excitement about cooking, and on top of that I also need to be sustainable? There’s no joy left. Finding pleasure in food is what makes it so much fun. With my roommate, we go every Saturday to Jean Talon and make it a fun activity. Food is at the basis of changing everything, and the moment you eat sustainably, it’s going to taste and feel better. It’s finding a way to make sustainability fun; in the long run it will make you happier.

Montreal's Marché Jean-Talon!

Aspen: Wow. For me too. Food and cooking changed my life. Discovering that as a hobby, something to look forward to and build a routine around. Finding pleasure in my food, sustainability, doing right by the planet, feeling connected to food and purchases in general is a radical act. Our current systems have divided us from who makes our products. Reclaiming those connections is a beautiful thing. 

Juliette: It goes with the rules we talked about. If you put rules on your eating, you make it less fun. If you actually start enjoying what you eat, you naturally become more mindful of it. They go hand-in-hand. 

Aspen: yes - just trying to find ways to take the “chore” aspect out of it and make it more enjoyable. 

OK, last question: what are your favourite sustainable restaurants and stores?

Juliette: Here’s a list:

• Jean Talon Market

• Lufa Farms

• Vègane obscène Vegan

• Restaurant Radis

• Herbivores

• Frenco

How to Live Sustainably + Ethically in a Dorm Room

Hey there, folks! Today I’d like to talk about something which is very close to my heart: living consciously when where you live doesn’t necessarily make it the easiest. Specifically in this post, I’m going to start a conversation surrounding all the ups and downs of dorm living! 

In my first year at McGill University — which was over two years ago now — I lived in residence. It was certainly a challenging experience for me. However, one of the wonderful upsides of my dorm experience was getting to learn all about sustainability! Coming from a small town, our dining halls’ compost and recycling bins were my first exposure into waste sorting, which sparked a larger interest for me and eventually led to me launching Ethigirl the following summer. What’s more, I actually worked in our dining halls this past September teaching this year’s residence students all about waste sorting!

Me working as a Waste Educator in McGill University’s dining halls, courtesy of this article!

So, needless to say, I think that residence can be an amazing incubator for sustainable living! You just need the right tools. And that, friends, is what I want to explore here! Keep in mind that many of these tips and tricks can be applied in all sorts of living situations, whether you’re still living at home with family, in an apartment, travelling a lot, or any other experiences you might be currently having. 

Whatever your situation, what’s important is to remember to do your best. Nobody is going to be perfect: that’s just not the way our system is currently designed. However, if everybody does a little bit, we’re on our way to a much better system. So, let’s get into the suggestions!

Make a Reusables To-Go Kit

Something that has been a lifesaver for me in creating less waste is ensuring I carry around the proper tools that will allow me to do so. If I don’t have my reusables easily accessible to me, then chances are I’m going to do the convenient thing and take the disposable option. 

The main things that I like to carry around are a reusable utensil, a water bottle, and a thermos. Of course, I also always pack my lunch or snacks in a tupperware, jar, or bento box, but I don’t carry these around on a just-in-case basis considering my back is only so strong and my bag is only so big! Bonus tip: I always save my empty pasta jars to store smoothies, drinks, or dried goods like beans or oats! 

I feel so much more put-together and responsible when I have these things with me. I also think it’s important to recognize that although we often see these “reusable kits” as being aesthetically beautiful, complete with all kinds of bamboo and glass, this doesn’t have to be the case. Use what you have: whether that be a washed-out yogurt container or literally just a fork from your utensils drawer. 

When I lived in residence, our dining halls actually provided us with reusable to-go containers, as well as coffee mugs that we could receive a discount on drinks with if we used there!

Choose Ethical and Sustainable Dining Options Whenever Possible

Every school is different, and I must say that I was spoiled with ethical and sustainable food options at my dining halls. However, there is a way to eat better regardless of your meal hall’s situation!

First up, choose Fairtrade products absolutely whenever you can. The most common Fairtrade products that you might see are coffee, tea, and chocolate. If you aren’t familiar with what Fairtrade is, as one word it represents a rigorous certification that companies and goods can apply to have their goods certified under. The holistic standards which are considered include the wages and conditions within which the employees work, whether companies can prove no child labour was used, and how sustainable the materials and practices used to make the goods are. If you’d like to read more about Fairtrade, you can here! As a long-time advocate and an involved member of the movement, I can tell you that I wholeheartedly support everything that it is. 

Next up, choose locally whenever possible. My school occasionally offered fruits and veggies that were grown at on-campus farms and partnered with many other local producers. Local foods usually mean long-term partnerships and stronger connections with producers, as well as less “food miles”. The less distance the food has had to travel to get to your plate, the better this is for the environment!

Finally, choose meatless or animal product-less meals whenever you can. As a vegetarian, I’m very aware that this isn’t feasible for everyone to do all of the time, and I’ve had my own struggles with it. Many dining halls also do not offer nutritious or great-tasting vegetarian and vegan options for students. However, challenge yourself to eat a couple or even just one of these types of meals a week! You might even consider trying out Meatless Mondays, which are exactly what they sound like. If you want to read more about why reducing your animal product consumption is just so impactful, check out this article. 

Reduce Your Energy Consumption (Even Though You Don’t Pay for It)

In first year, I lived in a really old building within an absolutely freezing city; therefore, I am not going to tell you to turn off your heat. 

However, maybe just turn it down when you leave the house?

Try to remember to stop using passive energy, whenever it is possible for you. If your residence has common rooms that you use a lot like mine did, perhaps you can turn off the heat and lights when you’re not occupying them! Furthermore, remember to turn off all your lights when you’re not at home. Though certainly not anywhere close to the biggest factor in climate change, these are small, very mindless activities that can be negatively impactful. And when you don’t have to pay an energy bill, you have no individualized incentive to remember not to do them. So, here’s your reminder!

Get Involved!!!

Let’s shift to some more collective ways to make a difference. 

University is the absolute best place to get involved with activism, charity, and politics, and you’d be crazy not to give it a shot. It’s a live-in hub of incredible people doing inspiring work and creating limitless movements on the daily. The people that I have met at university are the ones who inspired me to start Ethigirl, to become a vegetarian, to learn more about politics, and to generally be more open-minded, more passionate, and to learn every single day. You have access to a holistic world of education that extends far, far past the classroom and even challenges what you learn there. You can hold accountable large institutions because of the sheer mass of people who will support your actions. 

Needless to say, I feel extraordinarily privileged to have the means to attend university and grow past the person I ever thought I would become. However, even if you’re not a university student, you can still join a club, an association, or an organization. Try to access a host of different offerings, such as charity, fundraising , or political clubs. 

Our protest signs from the Montreal Climate Strike in September (which over 500,000 people showed up for!)

Some specific examples of events or initiatives you could become part of (or even organize!) could include clothing swaps, climate strikes for Fridays for Future (an excellent and incredibly timely thing to get involved in which I discussed here), or other environmental advocacy groups. Whatever you do, just try out as many as you can until you find one where you feel at home. 

Conclusion

I hope some or all of these tips were helpful to you. Please keep in mind that even if you’re not a university student, or even a student at all, many of these things are just as applicable! Creating less waste, buying better, and getting involved in communities of organizers are all things you can do regardless of what you’re up to in life at the moment. 

Got any other tips? Let me know in the comments below! Looking forward to hearing from you.

With love and sustainability,

Ethigirl

how to make your summer road trips sustainable

Happy summer! As the days are getting warmer, I know we're all starting to scheme up our plans to enjoy this absolutely gorgeous weather. Personally I've already started looking at bus tickets around Quebec's countryside...

One of you lovely individuals requested I write a post about how to make these fun trips a bit more sustainable. We can definitely start to get a bit careless when we're travelling and wandering, which is ironic considering we're hurting the very nature we've set out to enjoy. So, this post will share some of my best recommendations for making sure you don't do this, at least to the best of your ability.

transportation

You can start reducing your impact before you ever leave home by considering carefully your mode of transportation. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, cars are responsible for almost a fifth of all American carbon emissions. And if you happen to be flying, you should know that one transatlantic flight contributes around the same emissions as a year of driving.

This all sucks. But Ethigirl never presents a problem without a solution. The systemic thing to do is to choose alternative modes of travel: such as public transit like buses and trains, or if that isn't an option then carpooling. But if none of that stuff works, the other thing you can do (which is less systemic but still helps) is offset your emissions by purchasing a carbon credit.

If you've never heard of this option before, the basic premise is that there are organizations such as the social enterprise Terrapass who allow you to pay them to contribute funds to a host of sustainability projects, such as financial support for alternative energy farms or methane capture initiatives. And the best part is that purchasing a carbon credit isn't that expensive at all! In the case of Terrapass, you can offset every 1,000lbs for $5.

Moreover, when you're there, make sure that if you're travelling somewhere with any sort of transportation network (whether it be public buses, a metro system, or others) to SUPPORT IT. Many locations pour less-than-great financial investments into their transit systems, reducing accessibility and increasing the negative impact of cars and other private vehicles. So, ensure you make it known through your actions that you as a consumer and civilian fully support and enjoy to use public transportation!

waste reduction

While travelling, it's really convenient to make stops at gas stations and fast food joints for meals and snacks. But, we all know that this is not only more expensive, but that it produces quite a bit of waste. So instead, try and pack stuff to go with you. You should also try and keep a few zero waste essentials with you, such as tupperware, reusable sandwich bags, tote bags, and cutlery. Keep in mind that none of this needs to be fancy - I hate the idea that zero waste requires buying something new. You don't need to purchase a fancy cutlery kit, you probably have canvas grocery bags hanging around, and regular ziploc bags are perfectly reusable for some time if you wash them out.

If you do end up having to pick up something single use, though, try to ensure that it is at least recyclable so that you can keep it in your bag until you have access to a recycling bin.

purchases

When we're on vacation, it's natural to want to buy things by which to remember it. However, we definitely get carried away with our consumer habits sometimes and buy things we don't need.

But if you really do want to buy things, try to thrift them or buy them locally. Local shops will have plenty of locally-made goodies or keepsakes for you to pick up, such as homemade honey or art prints by nearby artists.

I'd also recommend trying to choose experiences over things as souvenirs. Always ask yourself if you can go to a show rather than purchasing something from the mall.

And finally, if you are eating out (one of the best parts of vacations), attempt to choose meat alternatives whenever you can, once again in order to decrease your carbon footprint.

conclusion

And there you have it! Sustainability tips for almost every aspect of your upcoming summer trip or vacation.

Have any of your own that you like to practice? Drop them in the comments? I'd love to hear all the ways in which you reduce your impact.

With love and sustainability,

ethigirl

ethigirl's tips for a kinder holiday season

Happy Holidays, everyone! And to all my friends writing finals right now (including myself RIP) - keep working, you are almost there! 

I wanted to take this post as an opportunity to provide a few tips and tricks for making the holidays as fun as possible, but also as kind to the earth and its people as possible. I think this season is so amazing. Personally, I look forward to going home for Christmas every year and getting to relax and see my family. However, there have definitely been times in the past that I've been trying to fully enjoy the season but have simultaneously been noticing things about it that are wasteful or harmful. 

Therefore, I thought I'd write this post to show you all some of the simple ways that you can go about reducing your waste and your impact on the planet and its people without drastically changing the way you celebrate the holidays. There are so many things that you can do! Hopefully some of them are helpful to you!

tip #1: buy/ask for secondhand gifts

Christmas and consumerism?! Together?! Imagine that! No, but seriously. Think of all the freaking stuff you buy and get around this season. And let's be honest, a lot of it is out of obligation - only a portion of it you're actually going to use. And while this is a beautiful tradition filled with love, it can certainly be done in a more environmental and ethical manner. 

One of these ways - and without breaking the bank at that! - is to shop secondhand, or to ask others to shop secondhand for you. This is especially awesome for all those Secret Santa/Yankee Swaps you're inevitably going to be invited to, as you never know what you might stumble upon in a Value Village when you're least expecting it. 

tip #2: package your gifts in recyclable/reusable wrap

So after you've picked up all your secondhand/thrifted gifts, what better thing to do next than to wrap them sustainably, too? This is where we reuse and recycle! The way I see it, you've got two options here:

1. Get Krafty: basically every store sells that nice brown wrapping paper that looks like butcher paper. Well, pick yourself up a roll (or two) of that and wrap up all your gifts in it! Feel free to get a little more decorative with some reusable fabric ribbons, twine, or cute gift tags. Either way, though, be proud of how minimalist-ly beautiful these wrapping jobs are.

2. Just Wrap It: got some extra scarves or bandanas? Trust your recipient to return them, or don't care if they do? Then have I got a beautiful and zero waste idea for you! Lush has a fantastic, easy-to-follow video tutorial about how to do fabric-wrapped presents that look so elegant. They also sell the wraps on their website if you are looking to invest!

tip #3: cook a vegetarian or vegan dish for dinner/brunch

One of my absolute FAVOURITE parts of the holiday season is my family's tradition of having a delicious Christmas morning brunch. My extended family all comes over for an amazing spread of bagels, apple turnovers, mimosas, and more. I seriously love it and I already can't wait for this year. I've also recently gone vegetarian, and I've realized that my options honestly don't have to be that limited! My veg friends have opened my eyes to a world of beautiful recipes, particularly BAKED GOODS, that taste just as good vegan. 

It's super easy to whip up a batch of brownies or cookies and replace the milk, butter, and eggs with vegan substitutes, and just as quick to Google vegetarian dishes and be met with a whole host of options. Therefore, I'd recommend exploring this avenue this year and potentially saving a ton of greenhouse gases in the process!

tip #4: decorate with handmade or locally-purchased items

Holiday decor is so lovely! There are so many ways to make your home cozier than ever, and let's not forget that it's an excuse to literally bring a giant tree into your home and cover it in things? While we're trying not to overthink that too much, let's talk about ways to decorate that aren't super harmful for the earth. 

1. Buy locally-made soy or beeswax candles: I absolutely adore a nicely-scented candle for winding down at night and often light one as I'm having some tea. It just makes me feel so cozy! However, many of these candles are made from paraffin wax, which actually comes from oil - grr. Therefore, try finding a bit more environmentally-friendly option, such as soy or beeswax candles! These are often sold at farmers’ markets or by other local vendors. If that fails, they're also available in many places online.

2. Use picture frames you already have and add holiday art: there are so many beautiful, free holiday art pieces available online that aren't tacky! Take a look on Pinterest, like at this option, to see what I mean.

3. Do some light foraging: chances are if you live in the country and it's snowing there, you're surrounded by beautiful OUTDOOR decor already. Why not head outside and trim some sprigs of pine or gather some pinecones to place around your home? Not only is this completely zero waste, but the pine will also smell fantastic.

tip #5: receive a gift you won't use? donate it responsibly! 

Let's face it. For better or for worse, there will inevitably be a gift you received that was given out of complete love, and you were of course thankful for, but that doesn't fit, or you know it might not get used. When this happens, most of us usually donate this kind of stuff, but I'm here to tell you that your donations don't always go where you're hoping for them to. 

Donation stores simply receive too many items. If you've ever stepped inside a secondhand store, you know what I mean. Clothes rack after clothes rack, filled with items that won't get purchased. So what happens to them? They either get sent to a landfill, or sent to a community in the Global South to be sold by vendors, which actually floods the market in which artisans and other vendors are trying to sell their handcrafted goods. For many individuals in these communities, entrepreneurship is a way out of poverty - and throwing donated clothes into the mix can often collapse their customer base. This is not okay, and I will you to not contribute to it. 

What can you do instead? You should either sell your items or donate them directly to a person or cause that you know will use your donations wisely. You could do this in a buy and sell group on Facebook, by creating a Depop account, or by ordering a thredUP consignment bag. This is really important. 

Hopefully these tips and tricks will come in handy in the next couple of weeks! I wish you all a wonderful, cozy, and fun holiday season.

With love and sustainability,

Ethigirl