How did your first foray into parenting consumerism start? Do you remember getting giddy as you added item after item to your baby shower registry? There were so many ‘must-have’ pieces. Magazines, friends, family, and advertisements told you these necessities will keep your child warm, entertained, and safe.
Ask any parent what they loath about Christmas and birthdays, and a standard answer will be plastic junk that sits in a toy box for years before being relegated to the dump for a millennium. How can we break the cycle of mass consumerism while still providing our family members thoughtful gifts? Check out our conscious consumerist gifting guide below.
What is a conscious consumerist?
A conscious consumer takes the time to research products and use their purchasing power for good. This good can have positive environmental and societal impacts, while at the same time limiting the negative implications surrounding manufacturing and purchasing. Other terms that are thrown around somewhat interchangeably can include responsible consumerism and sustainable consumerism.
Anti-consumerism is a boycott on purchasing new items as much as possible. The term ‘buycott’ is also used by those that refuse to buy from specific companies rather than boycotting consumerism altogether.
Can being a conscious consumer save you money?
Being a conscious consumer does not necessarily save you money. In fact, being a conscious consumer requires company know-how and often the privilege of paying more for one product versus another. It might mean traveling to a store further away, or buying from a brand online and waiting for the product to arrive.
However, according to a Nielsen Global Survey of Corporate Social Responsibility, 75% of millennials said that they would be amenable to paying more if a product was known to be sustainable. This number dropped to 51% for the baby boomer demographic, but it is still a significant portion of the population, especially for those with disposable income.
A conscious consumer, like anyone, can save money by choosing not to buy. Frivolous purchases, throw-away items, and impulse buys can eat into a monthly budget. This is money that could rather be spent on more ethical purchases. Moreover, purchasing higher quality goods and those that are reusable may save the purchaser money in the long run.
The Conscious Consumerist Gifting Guide By Age
When it comes time to purchase gifts, the conscious consumer doesn’t need to overspend or be too frugal. Instead, like making any purchase, the focus is on the greater good and limiting your harm to the environment.
Newborns
There is never a time in a parent’s life that they are as bombarded with feeling the need to shop as when they have a newborn. While nesting instincts are natural, any parent will tell you that expensive newborn clothes can be a waste of money, especially when you consider how quickly babies can grow. Here are some of our suggestions for newborn gifts that any sleep-deprived parent would appreciate:
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A gift certificate to a local children’s consignment shop
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Subscription to an online parenting magazine
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Set of cloth diapers or a diaper cleaning service
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Gift certificate for a food delivery service
Toddlers and young children
Toddlers and young children can be the most challenging age to buy gifts for while still sticking to your conscious consumer principles. They are typically too young to understand gift certificates or delayed gratification. Likewise, they are quick to discard one toy fad for another, so you need to get creative.
You can look for companies with a social message that offer impressive positive impacts with their profits. If you are looking for the ideal gift for a toddler or young child, take a look below:
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YOOBI’s – Art, School Supplies, Crafts
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B Toys – Eco-friendly toys
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Homemade playdough set
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A cleaned second-hand toy
Teenager
Some people find teenagers challenging in general, but no time more than when it comes time to getting them a gift. No one wants to waste time searching for what you thought was the perfect gift only to have it tossed to the side or even getting the dreaded eye roll.
However, don’t forget that the younger generations are leading the way when it comes to conscious consumerism. In addition, teenagers are often looking for ways to exert their independence, and you are likely looking for ways to connect and spend time together. This is the ideal time to make that happen with our gifting ideas below:
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Movie theatre tickets
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Airbnb gift card so that your teenager can plan the next family weekend away or online experience
The conflict of consumerism never goes away. Babies grow into toddlers obsessed with the latest Nickelodeon cartoon, and it doesn’t stop as they age. Sociologist Jason Cohen rightly stated, ‘America is a place where the luxuries are cheap, and the necessities are expensive.’ As such, it is up to each of us to use our purchasing power to stop the cycle of mindless gift purchasing. The smiles will be even bigger all around when your purchasing is making a positive impact.
