Have a Merry, Eco-friendly Christmas with Homewood
It’s that crazy time of year where we’re all scratching our heads, wondering where the time has flown and how it’s possible that Christmas decorations are already being sold in the shops…
This blog is particularly for those who like to get ahead of the festive season chaos and start their shopping early. While the festive season is a time of joy, celebration, and giving, it’s also a time when our consumption tends to skyrocket, leading to an increase in waste and environmental impact.
So, before you hit the shops, consider adding sustainable shopping to the top of your Wishlist.
Here are some pointers to help should you consider a greener Christmas this year…
Supporting Ethical Brands:
Find brands that priorities ethical practices—those that pay fair wages, provide safe working conditions, and source materials responsibly. By choosing these brands, it’s a win-win; you find a meaningful gift for a loved one while supporting businesses that value and look after their people.
Local and Handmade:
This is close to our heart here at Homewood.
Over the festive season, shops are filled with millions of mass-produced, imported products. Rather than purchasing these items with a large carbon footprint (having travelled long distances to reach our SA shores), Seek out local, handmade, or artisanal products.
Thankfully, here in South Africa, shopping local is not only an option but a GREAT option with our high craftsmanship standards and unique African aesthetic.
Pop into a Homewood showroom near you (Piggly Wiggly, Umhlanga or Kramerville) and shop our range of Homewood smalls, including beautiful cutting boards, crates, and cheese boards, the perfect stocking filler.
Reducing Waste:
The holiday season often brings an avalanche of single use wrapping paper, disposable decorations, and excess packaging. By opting for sustainable gifts and products, you can significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Look for gifts with minimal packaging (try to avoid plastic where possible) and go easy on the decorations (we promise, no one will remember what your Christmas tree looked like last year…).
Better yet, in the spirit of Christmas, support small local businesses and communities by purchasing handcrafted wooden or beaded decorations.
The Gift of Experience:
Eco-friendly gifts are not limited to bamboo toothbrushes or all-natural skincare products (while they’re a nice idea…).
Why not gift your loved ones with the opportunity to spend quality time together as a family, away from the hustle and bustle of life. South Africa boasts some of the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations, waiting to be explored and enjoyed.
We might be biased, but we’d strongly recommend a trip to the beautiful KZN Midlands, where the pace of life is a little slower and the very best of nature, art and local craftsmanship is on display.
While you’re up there – pop into the renowned Piggly Wiggly outdoor shopping experience, where you’ll find a host of local eateries and stores, including a Homewood showroom. (Pop in and say hi while you’re at it…)
Quality Over Quantity:
Instead of going on a shopping spree and buying numerous low-quality items, consider investing in fewer high-quality items. These gifts tend to last longer and are less likely to end up in a landfill.
This is the belief that informs all we do here at Homewood. Our furniture is built to last, with only the most durable, locally sourced alien invasive woods used to create the custom furniture designs of our customers’ dreams.
We hope you are feeling inspired to rethink the way you shop this festive season and that you will join us in our mission to leave a legacy without leaving a mark.
