Well it’s almost that time of year again. The holidays are just around the corner. Just in case we weren’t aware of it, Christmas ads on TV and newspapers stuffed with flyers are an ongoing reminder of this year’s latest and greatest gifts. Every year it’s the same old stress. Am I going to buy the right gift, who do I need to include on my gift list, and why didn’t I start my Christmas shopping earlier?

This might be the perfect time to pause and take a look at what you already have in your life. How much stuff do you already have? Do you really need a new one of those? Advertisements surround us constantly throughout our day, from radio, TV and computer ads, billboards and print. And if that isn’t enough, then it’s the constant pressure to keep up with what our kids are continually in ‘need’ of, fueled by friends who have the newest and greatest.

Today our lives are filled with so much stuff. On average, houses are 1,100 square feet larger than they were 50 years ago, and that’s not because families are larger. The average credit debt in Canada is $25,000, mostly because easy credit is available. Our lives and our homes are quite often filled with items we feel we need, but do we? Advertisement plays a large role in making sure we fill our lives with stuff, so we keep consuming and spending.

So often when we shop, we are looking for the best deals and settle on quantity over quality. This in turn means these products are spending less time in use and end up in the landfill a lot sooner. And anyone who has kids knows what I mean when I talk about stuff. The amount of things we need to keep our babies, toddlers and kids entertained and happy these days is phenomenal. On more than one occasion, my grandpa has reminded me that when he was that age, all he had to play with were sticks and wood blocks. In a time when everything seems to be single use, with the resulting attitude of “better to buy it new”, do you ever stop and wonder if life is better because of all the stuff you have?

When it comes to sustainable living in relation to STUFF and the resulting quality of life, I look at it as a whole … my life as a whole, as well as the community and our environment. How many resources does it take to manufacture and transport stuff? Where does it go when we’re done with it? Almost everything we buy today will end up in the landfill. Recycling may be one of the the three R’s, but Reduce is the first one.

Here are my tips for a meaningful holiday season, minus all the stuff:

• Reduce waste by not buying it in the first place. When you are in the market for something new, look for quality products that will last longer and are manufactured with quality practices. Or try looking for the product used.
• Be grateful for the the things you do have in your life. Try to resist the urge to buy the latest, especially electronics.
• Educate yourself on where things are manufactured, what type of manufacturing practices took place to create them, and how far they had to travel to get to your home.
• Before throwing something away, see if there is another use for it; perhaps re-sell it online or donate it to a local charity thrift store.
• Instead of buying a gift, buy an experience … tickets, classes or a getaway.

I hope some of these points are helpful. Please do take the time to remember what is important to you this holiday season.

Veronica Harris

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