Tis the Season

As the holiday season approaches, it is easy to throw all of your good habits away. Whether it’s going to the gym, eating right or staying green, we tend to lose track of them as Christmas gets closer. 

In my next few posts, I will provide some tips to that will allow you to have a great Christmas, as well as a Green Christmas! Today’s post is all about shopping!

We have all had it drilled into our heads that we should be bringing reusable shopping bags to the grocery store with us. I have a plethora of reusable bags stashed in my closet - from every chain of grocery store in town, from some clothing stores and from every environmental event I have attended in the past few years – and yet I still forget them almost every time. I’m that girl you see in the parking lot loading groceries into her car item by item because I refuse to take a plastic bag.  

Most grocery stores have stopped charging for their plastic bags, but a lot of us still use reusable bags for groceries. If you haven’t gotten into that habit, try keeping bags in your car. Just make sure you bring them into the store with you to pack up your Christmas feast and put them back into your car after you unpack (that one is usually my downfall). 

 A less common occurrence is the sight of reusable shopping bags at the shopping mall. Now as much fun as it would be to carry around a couple of those thick canvas totes as you do your Christmas shopping... That’s not what I am talking about. Believe it or not, they do make reusable shopping bags that are compact and actually practical when it comes to shopping. Plus they come in all different styles colors and sizes for the fashionista in you! 

Pack one or two in your purse or pocket before you hit the mall and pull it out when you make your first purchase. If you forget to bring them, try to put all of your purchases in one bag – just ignore the strange look you get when you tell the cashier “I don’t need a bag for that.”

Also, consider giving a compact shopping bag as a gift for Christmas - they would make a great stocking stuffer. That way your family and friends can make an impact too!