http://www.care2.com/greenliving/lets-turn-black-friday-into-green-friday.html
Let’s Turn Black Friday Into Green Friday!
Things are bleak all around. It seems like every other day there’s news, either in the news or from someone I know, about more layoffs. The housing market, the stock market–it’s all going down, down, down. The only question remains: How low can it go?
So it’s no surprise that the U.S. retail sector is expecting a bleak holiday season, which kicks off on Black Friday, the name retailers have given the day after Thanksgiving. It is called that because that’s when stores get back into the black. I’m guessing this year might not live up to its name.
This study found that 59 percent of consumers expect to reduce their spending this holiday season. No shocker there. But wait! There’s a bright side: This study also found that 44 percent of consumers are willing to pay extra for green gifts–between 10 and 25 percent more.
This is great news amid a sea of bad. The study goes on to talk about green shopping practices, with 38 percent of consumers saying they will use fewer plastic bags while 21 percent are planning on not wrapping holiday gifts to conserve paper. (I use wrapping paper recycled from the previous year!) Online shopping also continues to be considered a greener practice, with more than one-third of consumers saying they will shop more online and in catalogs this year in order to save on gas.
How will your holiday spending be affected this year? Are you willing to pay a little more for eco-friendly presents? Please share in the comment field below!
I am definitely cutting down this year, trying to spend less on more meaningful gifts. And to me, meaningful more often than not means green. Looks like I’m not alone. I enjoy a good deal as much as the next girl, but I’ve never been keen on the idea of heading out to the stores on the busiest shopping day of the year. I might do a little online shopping and get some good green gifts for my friends, like reusable shopping bags and aluminum water bottles and nice-smelling bath stuff that doesn’t have all those yucky chemicals in them. (I also have my eye out for a kitchen composting bin for my sister, who has really gotten into gardening.) Other than that, I want to stay away from the malls and out of my car if possible. Maybe I’ll go for a bike ride if it’s not raining.
Hey, let’s change the day to Green Friday. What do you say?
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
25 comments
add your comment »Shopping online may help the green effort as well.
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Black Friday to Green Friday
Wouldn't that be the day?!?
It would hurt no one and help the environment.
I say why not???
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On the topic of wrapping presents, I'd like to bring up Furoshiki--which was featured on another blog on this website. I plan on scouring the thrift stores this year to wrap all my presents in scarves ad large handkerchiefs ^^
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I think online shopping contributes to climate change/greenhouse gases... I would suggest buying locally made gifts as well as shopping a local farmer's markets for produce.
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I love that idea! I'm planning on doing the majority of my shopping online to save on gas, and I also plan on buying more practical gifts this year for my friends and family. I just found this gift list on money saving environmentally friendly gifts - not traditional gifts, but very affordable!! check it out. http://www.greenhome.com/products/moneysaving/
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That's a great suggestion, Ann, and I am working on a blog post with a bunch more. Anyone else have ideas?
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I would love some great green Christmas gift suggestions if anyone has some under $20. I have a good one to recommend. It is a reusable dry cleaning bag that eliminates dry cleaning plastic bag waste. Yeah! It's super cute and only $8.99. Go to www.drygreening.com to buy one.
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Boy it sure is nice to see evrything getting green--maybe we could also remember what is happening all around us at this time of year--the sun is returning. After all, the winter soltice signifies the longest night of the year, then the coming of the light--festival of lights and the renewal of spirit and growth. The simple should be celebrated as well as the Holi--days.
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Yes, Green Friday is good. I rather walk or go public transportation to get the gifts rather than having the online shopping as well. We may stop driving to go shopping but the trucks that deliver the gifts uses as much gas and if not more.
Moreover, why don't we just cut down on giving gifts. Whatever we want or need, doesn't have to be only during Christmas.
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What's up with the wonder cloth? Do you have to wash it?
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