Deep in the fall when the weather begins to bite, I start to get really excited about the holidays! I love the snuggly sweaters, the beanies, the cozy blankets, the family gatherings, the chaos, and the naps! Our family is hosting Thanksgiving this year for the first time with both sides coming to make it a 26-person feast! I can’t wait! It’s a special time of year for me.
However, I am also the first to admit that sometimes holiday shopping gets the better of me and leaves me with some not-so-festive feelings. There can be so much pressure to get the perfect gift: something the person will like is obviously ideal, but it would be great if it was also unique or surprising, and even better if it is something they will use or consume. Ok, great, now make it local and sustainable. Perfect gifts are a tall order!
Shopping sustainably this holiday season.
Of course, there are always some slam-dunk gifts when it comes to shopping sustainably, like a nice bottle of wine from a local vineyard or a gift card for a spa day. And it’s fun to find one-of-a-kind (and inexpensive) gifts for kids at thrift stores, like the plushy rainbow unicorn bathrobe I picked up this year for my 5-year-old niece! Tip: Whenever I come across something I know one of the kids might love, but there is no event coming up, I just save it in a dedicated box for the next occasion.
But it’s not always so easy, and sometimes I get sucked into searching the entirety of the internet for gifts. Or worse, buying something random I find at the last minute. And that never feels great. So in addition to tried and true sustainable gift-giving practices, like gifting food, experiences, gift cards, homemade items, and thrifted gifts, this year you can also check names off your gift list by shopping sustainably with local handmade gifts and sustainable gifts from the Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness (BCAW)!
What is the BCAW?
BCAW describes itself as “a vibrant community destination exploring the balance between creativity, sustainability, and wellness.” The store carries products made by over 60 local artisans. As well as a huge selection of sustainable and plastic-free alternatives to everyday items.
Within the store, customers can refill an ever-expanding selection of bulk personal care and household products. This reduces the need for single-use plastic packaging. They stock eco-friendly products for chores around the house. Plus organic products for your face, body, teeth, and hair. They even have seasonal products like bug spray, tick repellent, and sunscreen. BCAW also offers arts, crafts, and sewing classes for kids and adults of all skill levels. You can check their website for more information on classes and special events, like clothing or toy swaps.
My first experience shopping sustainably at the BCAW.
When a friend first told me about BCAW, I was super intrigued and each week I wrote it on my calendar to-do list, but I was pregnant at the time, so it took me about eight months to finally get there! I made the rookie move of going with both of my kids after having just gone grocery shopping with them. But, they were both patient just long enough for me to refill two of the containers I had been keeping in the trunk of my car for the past five months just for this moment! If you forgot to bring containers, don’t worry, they have plenty that are donated and cleaned for you to use.
I also bought a bar of donkey milk soap (a great gentle, fragrance soap for sensitive skin), which turned out to have been made by the son of the woman who was working that day. She kindly answered all of my annoying questions and patiently explained to me how to weigh my containers before and after filling to know how many ounces I took of which product. I left excited to come back another time without the kids to do my holiday shopping!
Sustainable gift ideas at the BCAW.
From bamboo backscratchers, brushes, butter boxes, and bread knives. From biodegradable wheat straw razors and charcoal dental floss picks, the products at BCAW are so cool! They have upcycled cat magnets, handmade wooden panda pens, DIY bath bomb kits, mystery paint boxes, vintage toys, handmade bags, jewelry, candles, and soaps. Give the gift that keeps on giving by shopping sustainably. Like wool felt dryer balls to speed up drying and replace dryer sheets or reusable products like paper towels that hang dry without any odor and can be deep cleaned in the dishwasher. But really, the list of gift options is endless. Plus it’s a fun and comfortable place to shop. So tackle that holiday gift list with a trip to BCAW! And if you can’t decide, they have gift cards!
