Be a responsible shopper this Christmas
It’s hard to avoid the high-street chains at Christmas with their glitzy window displays and garish lights. And when it comes to buying gifts for the whole family and beyond (and yes, that includes your mother’s friend’s daughter’s dog’s cat’s auntie) it’s easy to dive straight into the first one that catches your eye and get it ‘over and done with’.
But at such a consumer-driven time, it’s important to remember the values that we hold dear. We’ve put together a few guidelines on being a responsible shopper this festive season.
Give something back
We all love to give and receive gifts, it is after all part of the enjoyment of Christmas. But that doesn’t mean you can’t give something back too. Many independent organisations, such as us here at Fen Ditton Gallery, support local charities and causes and this Christmas we are pleased to be donating a percentage of sales from Silver & Green to Winter Comfort and Jimmy’s Shelter, two key charities supporting homeless people in the Cambridge area.
Support independent businesses
Shopping local and supporting independent businesses has many benefits. Not only are you buying from an actual person, who is truly passionate about what they do, here’s some other reasons too:
It boosts the local economy - it may seem obvious, but the money you spend locally is more likely to be spent locally too.
It creates communities (…and that seems even more important in the current climate)
It’s better for the environment - local businesses tend to source locally and don’t require the sheer volume of shipping and packaging in day-to-day running.
Avoid mass-produced ‘everyone’s got them’ gifts
It’s a great feeling when you find a unique gift for a loved one (that you know they will love) and don’t have the worry of everyone else buying them the same thing! By giving a one-off, handmade piece of jewellery or ceramic vase you are giving a little piece of the maker too.
Look after the environment
Taking advantage of the local businesses on your doorstep helps the environment too. There’s no shipping and minimal packaging (if any). It’s amazing how creative craftspeople can be when it comes to recycling and reusing materials too.
Know where it’s come from
It’s key for sustainable and responsible shopping to know where these products have come from. Who is the maker? Where are they based? What is this made from? All you have to do is ask.
Fen Ditton Gallery’s upcoming Christmas exhibition, Silver & Green, is a relaxed alternative to high-street shopping. Mother and daughter team, Lotte and Hannah, invite you to enjoy a glass of mulled wine as you browse a selection of handcrafted gifts and contemporary art from British artists and makers.
Find out more here