Happy Thanksgiving! If you plan to go out shopping on Black Friday, don’t forget to check out the local #thrift stores, many of which are supplied by generous donations to ClothingDonations.org. If you have qualms about #giving #secondhand goods, remember that most thrift stores are stocked with lots of clean, lightly used and one-of-a-kind clothing items and housewares, as well as hard-to-find books, games, furniture and other goods. Taking a cue from the big retailers, many thrift stores have their own Black Friday promotions, so you can get even better discounts on used goods and pay up to 90% less on #gifts. #BlackFriday2023
Tag: shopping
Stay Home to Save on Black Friday
To #save money on Black Friday, this advice bears repeating: Don’t buy anything you don’t need. Sale prices may prove irresistible in stores and online, and you may be tempted to get things that you and your giftees may not really want or use, says The Simply Organized Home. Stay away from the malls, shut down the computer and enjoy a plate of leftovers. Continue to give thanks for the things you have and maybe even do a little #decluttering or #holiday decorating with the extra day off. You’ll save money and probably create a more comfortable living environment for yourself and your family. #BlackFriday2023
Black Friday Started Early
It doesn’t have to be Black Friday to get the best possible Black Friday #deals. Many of the year’s biggest markdowns are already online, Forbes says, and many more will be available on the traditional schedule starting at midnight Eastern time on Nov. 24. Generally speaking, you’ll see “all-time low prices” on a broad range of items such as clothing, electronics and personal care products this week and next. And if you’re #shopping for a big-ticket item such as a flatscreen TV, laptop computer or refrigerator, Black Friday and the week after are the best time of year to buy. Make a list and check it twice! #BlackFriday2023
Start Your Holiday Shopping Early
If you haven’t already begun your #holiday shopping, this week is a good time to start. Consult the internet for early-bird specials from your favorite retailers, and check the social media for gift ideas. Make a budget and a list of the people you plan to buy for, and jot down a few ideas for each. You’re less likely to overspend if you have the elements of a plan in mind and #shop strategically. If you see a great deal, grab it — that price (and the stock) may not last, so get it while you can. And allow plenty of time for delivery of your holiday orders to avoid costly last-minute shipping fees and get everything under the tree on time. #HollidayTips
5 Ways to Shop Sustainably This Holiday Season
You’ve got a dilemma: You want to give gifts that your friends and family will love during the holiday season, but you want to do so without creating undue environmental impact — not such an easy task in today’s global economy.
Mass-market merchandise requires raw materials — petroleum products, rare-earth minerals and so on — that are often toxic to extract. Manufacturing byproducts and product packaging go into landfills and oceans, where they can last thousands of years.
What’s more, even things that break down or recycle easily often travel long distances to get to your front door, using fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources. So even if you buy imported foods for the holiday feast, you add more carbon to the atmosphere.
But there are ways to at least minimize your impact during the #holidays:
1. Support small, local businesses. The closer you are to the product’s source, the less fuel it takes to get to you. Locally grown foodstuffs and handmade items — that one-of-a-kind scarf from the craft fair, for example — have minimal environmental impact and are usually better than anything you can find at a big-box store.
2. Shop sustainable businesses. Businesses that pledge to recycle, use #sustainable materials, plant trees and offset carbon emissions are easier on the environment; just be wary of claims that seem too good to be true. “Fast fashion” brands are some of the worst for creating trash.
3. Give an experience. Tickets to the movies, a local play or concert; a restaurant meal; or gift certificate to a yoga session, spa or salon make great gifts that don’t require a lot of sweatshop labor or create extra greenhouse gases.
4. Shop the thrift. Giving used goods a second chance is a great way to keep lots of clothing and household items out of landfills while saving money. Bonus? Buy from a #thrift shop supplied by #donations to ClothingDonations.org, and you’ll help fund veterans programs.
5. Donate. #Charitable organizations need help on Giving Tuesday and throughout the year. Choose a cause that aligns with your giftee’s goals and #give in their name. It won’t be the same as unwrapping the latest air fryer or smart speaker, but still makes a thoughtful #gift.
#Giving can be its own reward — especially if you shop #sustainably.