It's time to branch out from Amazon. I know in 2020, I have leaned on Amazon more, but for the holidays, my goal is to put all of our money towards other businesses. 

Maybe you want to join me. Even if you can't imagine stopping completely, you can still mix it up!

We know that Jeff Bezos the owner and Amazon the company both pay a shockingly low amount of taxes, while simultaneously squeezing out so many small and local businesses (including shipping companies and the post office as well). Much like the Waltons, Bezos's pile of money because huger and huger, but both owners treat their workers pretty poorly. Not only this, but items from Amazon or infamous for not being packaged in sustainable ways. All in all, lots of room to improve. 

It's been an endlessly rough season for small businesses, so it makes sense that you would want to help them out this year, instead of helping Jeff Bezos or the Waltons become even more excessively rich. 

Like I am said, I am guilty of this too- this blog regularly features Amazon links (and encouragement to use their secondhand options), because I have just been afraid that sending you to a bunch of different websites will make it more complicated, and therefore more difficult to have early successes that help you start to change. I am excited to share this link from now on, so you know exactly where else you can find the things we recommend. 

As always, no one person can do everything, but everyone can do something. The goal doesn't have to be perfection, but shifting even half of your shopping this year could make a major difference. 

Not everything here will be as cheap, but that could very well be a sign that the people working there are treated significantly better. Not everything will come as fast, but that is better for the environment. Not every site will be filled with eco/ethical stuff, but they are usually not owned by mega billionaires, adding to the destructive gap between the richest and the poorest. 

This is all to say, there is no other site that will fit perfectly, but like so many things, don't let not being perfect keep you from doing some good. I don't have a perfect answer for everything, but I have some good options. ALWAYS REMEMBER - If you find something you like on Amazon, you can look it up- lots of brands and companies have their own websites, so you can buy it directly from them as well. 

So let's get started. 

Start Local! 

Keep your money where you live, building up your community, providing jobs, and more. Every dollar to Walmart or Amazon will never see your area again. Even small communities often have other options available, we just have to commit to using them. 

1. Your local shops- Before you look anywhere else, take stock of what is available where you are. Every dollar you spend at a locally owned business stays in your community. Every dollar you spend at huge brands like Walmart and Amazon will never come back. So do your research, ask around to friends, and strategically spend your money to support your community. 

2. Your Local Thrift Shops- Buying secondhand locally is the best way to minimize your impact. It uses less fossil fuels, makes less waste, and supports a local business. It's the best choice there is for the environment. 

3. Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing, and Other Local Groups - You can find so much secondhand just by using social media groups for buying and selling. It cuts down on waste, shipping, and it saves you money. 

4. Subscribe to a Local CSA - After you find shops in your area, you can also look to see if there are local CSA's to support local farmers. We know that Walmart has been strategically pushing out local dairy farms especially, so you can do a lot of good for your local farmers by buying from them first. 

5. Local Museum Bookstores - Everyone has been hurting this year. A great way to help the institutions you care about (but cannot go to) this year is to shop from their stores. Many museums and centers have gift shops online. It might be a great place to buy gifts from! Another gift option that helps your local businesses? Gift cards and certificates- especially for those restaurants you love! 

Secondhand Shopping

If you find something you like on Amazon, my best advice is to just go find it somewhere else. Many companies have their own websites now, so you can buy directly from them. Another great option? Look the item up on a secondhand site. 

6. eBay- Sometimes local shops are short on options, but you can find almost anything on eBay. Just be sure to mark you only want to see pre-owned things. 

7. Thred Up - You never have to waste money on clothes and shoes again. Huge collections of things to buy for feminine clothes and children's clothes.

8. Poshmark - Another resource for secondhand clothes. This one is especially great if you have something specific in mind, and they also do masculine clothes, so that is helpful. 

9. Gadget Salvation - This is a site that buys and sells secondhand electronics. If you know what you want, don't mind if it isn't the newest thing, or just need to save money, this is a great resource.  

10. Offer Up - This website and app is a lot like Facebook Marketplace, without all the Zuckerburg nonsense. You can post or shop pretty locally, and get what you need for a lot less. 

Small Businesses

If you are trying to avoid Amazon, chances are you are aware that small businesses are hurting. Here are some online spaces to support small businesses and fair trade practices. Be sure to check with the shops near you first! 

11. Etsy - This website has thousands of independent artists and makers with small shops. There are great vintage style shops, personalized gift shops, and zero waste homegoods shops. I love this website so much, and I have found wonderful gifts there. When I shop for gifts, I start here and eBay. For a list of our favorite Etsy shops, check here. 

12. Uncommon Goods - This is a super fun site to browse, with tons of gift, perishables, body stuff, and decor that will be huge hits.

13. The Little Market- This amazing non-profit shop is dedicated to making women through the world economically self-sufficient. Many of their products also support particular causes like the environment, disability rights, domestic violence, and more. 

14. Adorned Abode - This sweet home goods and gift store is owned by a Black woman, and it features fair-trade and small business-made items. 

15. Ten Thousand Villages - This store is committed to taking care of the environment and making sure all the makers who create their goods make a fair, living wage. Their overall mission is to help develop communities through craft, and they have so many fun and special things in their store. 

Eco Stores

16. Marley's Monsters - This store offers zero waste options for kitchen and bathroom, for beauty, and for snack storage.  I love them. We have napkins, snack packs, unsponges, and bowl covers, and we love them all. 

17. Plaine Products - I have used this made in America and zero waste shampoo and conditioner for years now, and I love it. Perfect if bar shampoo isn't working for you, but they also have soaps and face care. 

18. Tiny Yellow Bungalow - This zero waste store and blog is one of my favorites. Perfect for the basics you need and tons of great insight about how to live a lower impact life. 

19. The Refill Revolution - This Colorado-based zero waste store has lots of great household items, but my favorite part is they will send you refill pouches for your soaps, shampoos, and cleaning supplies. 

20. Earth Hero - This is another excellent stop if you are looking for zero waste options for the things you already use wear out. You may be surprised all the things you can find zero waste options for- every soap, cleaner, bag, and bottle imaginable. 

21. Conserv-A-Store - This store is mostly for eco-friendly gardening and outdoor care. 

22. Package Free Shop - This is one of the most mainstream zero-waste shops, owned by one of the most popular zero-waste bloggers. They do have a subscribe and save section, which may help you replace some of those Amazon subscriptions. 

23. EcoRoots - This plastic-free shop gives 1% of everything they make to the Ocean Conservancy. I love their bath and beauty section, but there is a lot to browse here (and they even have holiday gift guides).

24. Eco-Friendly Mama - This site has a buying club together where you can get eco-friendly and made in America options. There is also a facebook group, which I love to follow, because I learn a lot. 

Things for Kids

We have tons of lists about what to buy kids and where, but my biggest advice is to start with eBay, ThredUp, and your local consignment shops. Most everything your kids need or want can be found secondhand. You will save money, help the environment, and you can still find most of what they want. 

24. City Threads- Kids cotton basics manufactured in Los Angeles. Their clothes are a favorite in our house, and their masks are apparently the favorite of the New York Times. 

25. Green Toys - You can buy all of these excellent toys right on their website, you don't need Amazon to do it. 

26. Fat Brain Toys - This online toy shop has a huge collection (some more eco-friendly than most), but it can be a good place to browse.

27. Babylist - A great resource for tons of baby things. This has the same one stop shop appeal as a big store, and you can find most of what you want in one place (pssst.... look secondhand first. Buying new baby stuff for someone to poop and puke on is absolute foolishness). 

28. Winter Water Factory - This Brooklyn-based kids clothing company makes great basics with really fun and beautiful print. We have a few things from them that have successfully lasted through three boys.

29. Wonderbly - Personalized books for kids that are so special and fun. Perfect if you are looking for a really special gift. 

30. Carousel Designs - Bedding for kids and babies, all manufactured in the USA. 

31. HearthSong - Another online toy store, with so many brilliant toys I have never seen anywhere else. There are so many good ideas on here, though I can't find much information about where and how they are made. 

Books

I love books. I just wrote a huge list of our favorite children's books. The truth is, you don't need to buy hardly any of them new. You can find almost any book secondhand or from a smaller bookseller. 

32. Goodwill Books - Looking for a particular book, movie, or game? Try here first! The selection is huge- I am always surprised at what I can find.

33. Powell's Books - Portland's giant store is the biggest independent bookshop in the US, and their online space is AWESOME, offering both new and used books. I also love their book recommendations.

34. Thriftbooks - Another great shop for secondhand books. Really makes you question why you have been wasting all that money on new, right?

35. Bookshop - This online bookstore sends a percentage of the earnings to local bookstores and tells their buyers which local bookstores are near them. They are basically trying to replace Amazon and redirect people to smaller bookstores near them. Kind of a cool option if you don't know what is local to you. 

36. Brave and Kind Books - This children's book shop offer a variety of books or you can buy curated boxes from them, which I think is such a cool option. I read about them on this list of independent Black booksellers on Red Tricycle. Check it out to find out who you can support in your state. 

Clothing

We often get the message that all clothes are made in other countries, but there are tons of smaller companies making their clothes here in the US or using fair trade practices. Here is a huge list of brands and shops to look for, but here are some of my favorite spots. 

37. Everlane - Feminine and Masculine Clothes that focus on transparency for their whole supply chain. They also use recycled fabrics for coats and shoes. 

38. Pact - Fair trade and organic, this is our first stop for the few things we won't get secondhand (underwear, especially). 

39. American Giant - T-shirts, Sweats, and other basics for both men and women. Both the materials and manufacturing are in America.

40. Blue Canoe - Feminine, made in America, and eco-friendly fashion that could suit a wide range of ages and body types. 

41. SAS Shoes - All made in America masculine and feminine clothes in a super wide range of styles. Extremely durable, and a wide range of professional shoes (restaurants, hospitals, etc) too. 

42. Zappos- This store has tons of shoes, bags, jewelry, and clothing, and you can easily search to limit to their Made in America options. If you want to save big money, try their discount shop 6pm too. 

43. Rothy's - Their shoes are just cool, and a great way to recycle. If you can't find flats on Thred Up, this is a great option. 

Home Goods and Food

There are so many great shops and companies on this list, so I can't wait for you to read it. If you want more ideas for how to find green goods for your house, we have tons of lists for that too! Check out this page. 

44. Grove Collaborative- I have only heard raves about this store, where you can find all sorts of cleaning supplies and home goods here, as well as some beauty and bathroom products. 

45. Who Gives a Crap - We love this brand, that makes sustainable bulk toilet paper, and donates literally millions of their proceeds. Stop buying your toilet paper 6 at a time- bulk is better for the planet. 

46. Reel - This company sells bamboo paper towels and toilet paper (no more trees should die for our butts) and raises money for toilets, sewage, and water access in underserved countries. They are the next company we want to check out. 

47. Freedom Paper Company - This Black-owned business also sells recycled and eco-friendly toilet paper in bulk. 

48. Lehman's - This store is a favorite for homesteaders, and markets towards people who want to live "A simpler life." They have tons of products, many of which are made in America, that are generally built to last. A great place to look if you have never checked it out. 

49. Jacob Bromwell- This kitchen good and flask store has been making their lifetime guarantee goods in the United States for 200 years. They are pricey, but worth it, and might make a great gift if you are committed to just buying one thing.

50. Honest Company - This company isn't great in terms of the environment (lots of plastic and packaging), but if you are going to buy these things, doing it from them instead of Amazon still is probably a step up. 

Spices and Food

51. Herban Farms- This is a great resource for spices, seasonings, and sauces. 

52. Penzey's Spices - This shop features all sorts of spices and gift boxes. I am coming back to shop here. 

53. Thrive Market - This online grocery store with food, beauty, vitamins, baby and kid stuff. Basically anything you can get at Whole Foods (which is also owned by Jeff Bezos). Such a great resource to find more organic and environmentally responsible switches for all the products you love. 

54. Boxed - Like using Amazon to get your bulk items? Boxed is a great resource where you can get bulk stuff in one place. Not all of it is particularly eco-friendly, but bulk items tend to use less packaging than smaller packages, so it can be a good option. 

55. Kuma Coffee - A directly sourced coffee company. I am not a coffee person, so I would love more tips for this one if you have a small coffee company you love!

56. King Arthur Baking - I was blown away by all the cooking, baking, and storage items they have in their store, right along with flours and mixes. 

Body and Beauty

57. Lakota Made - This lovely shop based in South Dakota features soaps and herbal remedies made by the owner. She has a wide variety of pretty bar soaps to try. 

58. Lush - This brand is surprisingly mainstream, and you can get many of their products on their website. It seems weird to buy it without smelling it, but I canhighly recommend

59. Eco-Collective - If you want a one stop shop for more environmentally-friendly beauty and body stuff, this shop is probably a good first stop. 

60. Sephora - If you like beauty stuff, Sephora has a huge collection online. It can be on the pricey end (for the record, all the major pharmacies are online with lots of beauty products too). 

61. Alaffia - This African-owned green and fair-trade company sells body, face, hair, and baby products. 

62. Briogeo - I have heard so many raves about this hair care company, which is clean, perfect for lots of diverse hair types, and owned by a Black woman. 

63. Ethique - This brand sells one of our favorite products - the soap bar. They have lots of options for skin and hair, as well as concentrates if the shampoo bar has not worked for you. They also have some household cleaners to try. 

64. River Organics - This low-waste beauty shop is perfect for skin care without the plastic. 

65. The Detox Market - This store offers a pretty wide variety of products (skin, hair, makeup, and wellness) with pretty high standards for chemical ingreidents and a commitment to cut down on plastic packaging. 

Decor and Furniture

66. Schoolhouse Electric - This store is on the pricey end, but they offer all sorts of beautiful lighting and decor for your house, much of which is made in Oregon. 

67. Ikea - Need some cheap furniture? Ikea is not perfect, but they are continuously making moves to be more sustainable and mindful of their impact. If you need something simple/cheap (and you can't find it secondhand), check Ikea. 

68. AptDeco - This website for secondhand furniture is pretty big in New York, and it is catching on in other areas. You can find all sorts of secondhand furniture pieces here. 

69. Eighth Generation - This store is owned by members of the Snoqualmie community in Seattle, and it sells gorgeous blankets and other jewelry and decor.

70. Vermont Wood Studios - This company sells furniture and decor, including an eco-friendly section, where the furniture is made with sustainably harvested wood. 

Outdoors Gear

Outdoor goods can be expensive and intimidating, but the bright side is there are lots of places to shop for them. 

71. Geartrade- This website offers a chance to buy and sell secondhand outdoors stuff. Another great opportunity to save some money and keep things out of landfills. 

72. Patagonia - All outdoors stuff seems expensive to me, but this outdoors store is truly mindful of their environmental impact. 

73. REI- It's another great resource for outdoors gear, and it has its own resale part of the store, so you can keep an eye out for something you would like, but spend less money and have less environmental impact. Northface also has a similar program. 

Electronics

This one is... tough. Electronics is a terrible area for when you are trying to be eco-friendly. My best advice is to make what you have last as long as you possibly can. There are a few bright spots though. 

74. BH Photo and Video - This New York store started as a photography supply store, but now carries quite a few electronics. It might be a great option if you can't get what you want secondhand.

75. House of Marley - This brand sells headphones, speakers, and turntables, using slightly more environmentally-responsible materials (at least they are trying?). They also plant trees for every order. 

Art Supplies

This is the area where I am most guilty. If you also tend to overshop art and craft supplies, here are some strategies to be creative without making so much waste. For the things you need, check out local shops, and here are some online resources. 

75. Blick - This shop sells higher end supplies, so it might not be a great fir for crafts for kids, but it doesn't hurt to take a look. If you are in Northern California, Flax Art Supplies is an even better option. You may have an arts and crafts store near you as well- be sure to look it up!

76. Michael's - I am in big trouble, because I didn't realize you could shop online from them until this moment. They aren't perfect, but they aren't Hobby Lobby either. 

77. Make and Mend - This online shop sells secondhand art supplies. Just browsing through now, and I am ready to buy like 10 things. Perfect for all the parents of creative kids out there, or anyone who is still a maker. 

78. Lovecrafts - This site has tons of fabric and crocheting supplies. It's a perfect spot for any crafter.

79. Cloverworks - This small farm in Vermont has an online store for their beautiful yarn.

 

Big Box... But a Little Better

You can avoid these big box stores and still get a lot of things in the same place. These are three great places to check with first. 

80. Costco - Look, Costco is not perfect by any means, but they do have a great reputation for how they treat their employees. They also have some areas that are VERY short on good options elsewhere, like electronics. If you are at a loss, Costco might be a good stop before you give up and head back to Amazon. 

81. Overstock - This website started as only carrying overstocked goods, but it's selection is pretty wide now. If you want to keep it more eco-friendly, you can search for items that are made in America, 

82.Made in America Co - This is the largest store online that sells and features made in America items and brands. This includes Liberty Tabletop, who are just the best. No matter your politics, if you live in America, buying things from American companies has big environmental positives. You can try to Made in America Store too if this is your kind of shopping. 

Odds and Ends

83. Artifact Bags- Purses, Aprons, and Masks

84. Amoeba Music - You can get all sorts of music and movies from this iconic LA store's online site. 

85. Chewy - Seemingly everything you need for your pet. 

86. The Compleat Strategist - Games and Board Games

87. Eco-Products - Eco-friendly cups, plates, and more

88. Forbidden Planet - Toys, Games, and Collectibles

89. Northern Tool - Tools and Equipment

90. Polywood- Recycled Outdoor Furniture

91. Tool Nut - Tools and Equipment

92. True Leaf Market - Seeds

Want more shopping ideas? We have tons of them. Check out this page for Gift Ideas and this list for all of our favorite Etsy stores. 

Secondhand shopping is on the rise. People, especially young people who don't have a ton of money to spend, are switching brand new junk for older, secondhand items that will last. This is particularly true for fashion, as more and more people embrace thrifting.

When you think secondhand shopping, you would probably think of clothes first, but there are so many other things that everyone should be buying secondhand. It can save major money, but you may not immediately think to look for it used.

It's time to shift our mindsets, because we know that overconsumption is drowning our planet in stuff, especially plastic waste. The more stuff we buy, the more waste we make, because most of what we buy new was shipped and packaged in plastic instagarbage. Every item we buy secondhand skips this excess waste and even keeps useful items in use. In other words, the more we get used, the more we help the planet.

So, what could you be getting secondhand that you could totally find easily used? Just how much money are we throwing away here? Here are some ideas for things to get secondhand, but this is only the tip of the iceberg! Let's do this.

10. Shoes

I see a lot of online advice to not buy shoes secondhand, because they can mess with your gait. In theory, I agree, and I certainly wouldn't buy a pair of shoes that show a lot of wear, especially on the sole (you can replace the inserts inside).

That said, fast fashion now moves so fast that you can find any kind of shoe you want practically new. Someone barely wore them before they passed them on. I have gotten tennis shoes, Frye boots, and all of my flats secondhand on Thred Up. Secondhand shoes cost me a fraction of the price, they allow me to buy plastic-free leather shoes without the guilt of supporting animal agriculture, and they don't come with any plastic waste or send anything new to the landfills.

Seriously, if you haven't checked Thred Up for shoes yet, try it! The next time you need to replace something, you can keep an eye out on your size until what you need comes up. It works great for my kids too.

9. Cast Iron (and Other Kitchenware too)

Have a cast iron skillet? No need to ever get one new, you can find them secondhand in most antique stores, and once you treat it properly, it's completely safe to use. Cast iron will essentially last forever if treated well.

Even if you are looking for something else, you can often find it secondhand. For example, has your spouse been pining over expensive All-Clad pots and pans? Start buying them pieces from eBay. You can probably get them everything they need and save a thousand or more in the process. The best made kitchen stuff tends to last a very long time, so once the original owner is done with it, it may still have plenty of life left for you. Le Creuset, Silverware, Fiesta Dishes, and so much more can be found on eBay.

8. Picture Frames

Need a picture frame? Head to your local consignment store with a tape measure and track it down! You don't have to keep the art stored inside, just recycle the art, paint the frame if needed, and you have the perfect spot to put your art.

Super easy! You can find photo albums at lots of goodwills and thrift shops too. I have also found that Amazon's open box and used options still come up for photo albums. So why are you wasting money getting these new?

7. Tools

Think of all the well-meaning people out in the world who buy fancy sets of tools even though they aren't handy. All those tools eventually go somewhere. Instead, consider getting what you need borrowed from a neighbor, Buy Nothing, or even tool lending libraries (our local Home Depot has one- they are more common than you think).

If you are set that you need that table saw or monkey wrench, check out eBay or Craigslist. Because another person thought they were going to be a fixer, and now they are a tool seller. We all have those moments, but there is no reason for you to waste your money either. You can feel pretty confident that the hammer is probably pretty close to its original shape.

6. Vases and Mugs

Only a fool would EVER buy a vase new. I guarantee you can go get one at Goodwill. Probably for 50 cents. Seriously, if you ever need the world's cheapest housewarming gift, bring some wildflowers (free) in a goodwill vase. Super thoughtful, super cheap.

Mugs are the same- every thrift store has a million of them for CHEAP. Never waste your money on mugs from the store or Etsy. Buy a plain mug at a thrift store, and you can sharpie that cute saying on yourself. So easy!

5.  Holiday Decorations

Do you love the holiday section at the store? Goodwill has one of those too, and it is usually amazing.

I just had a last minute shopping adventure in my very small hometown. Our local goodwill had 3 pairs of kids shoes in total. Pickings were slim.

They also had a MASSIVE holiday section, with tons of Halloween decorations and a small army of those plastic pumpkin head buckets. This is to say that even if your local store doesn't have a great selection of anything else, they probably still have a nice spread of (mainstream) holiday stuff. Easter baskets should be used. Christmas stockings. Candle holders. It's all there.

I do love a decoration, and my kid and I have a blast prepping our house for every season. We have just changed where we either make things ourselves or find it at a thrift shop. I also don't have to sweat it if our kids go crazy for a decoration- nothing is so expensive or precious that it can't stand up to their chaos!

4. Toys (especially gifts)

I never realized just how many toys you can get on Ebay secondhand until a few years ago. We saw a particular spaceship toy we really loved for my son's birthday. Instead of buying it right away, we took a picture and I looked it up on Ebay, just to give it a shot. We got exactly the same toy at a third of the price, and he could care less that it's a bit worn.

Your kid is obsessed with Paw Patrol? Anna and Elsa? Dinosaurs? Go put any of those things in on Ebay, and click the "Used" filter. You will have thousands of shopping options.  Your kid doesn't care! Why waste money?

On that note, if you want to take your kids out to pick out their own treat, check what consignment stores are near you. My kids call Goodwill "the toy store" - they leave elated with a new treasure, and I usually spend about 4 dollars.

It works for holidays too. There are worlds of hotwheels already available to buy secondhand. You can get them for a quarter or wrapped in plastic for 10 bucks. There's really no contest. We buy our stocking stuffers from the little plastic bags of toys at the wall on our local Value Village. We save oodles of money this way.

Garage sales, Buy Nothing, even just asking around with friends with older kids are all perfectly legit ways to get toys for your kids. If they value newness, it's only because we taught them to, so shifting the paradigm helps everyone (and cuts off even more plastic waste).

This is SOOO true for kids books too- even if you shop Amazon, you can usually find a secondhand option for 90% of what you are buying!

3. Wood Furniture

Need wood chairs? There are already like infinite wooden chairs hanging out in furniture consignment stores all over the world. With a little bit of browsing, you can track something down that you like. With a little bit of sanding and staining, you could have chairs you love forever.

This can be true on your neighborhood Buy Nothing group as well. We got our dining room table for free from a family with teens, refinished it, and it will be our family table through our kids' lives as well.

Any furniture you buy used is more furniture that isn't headed to the landfill. You can find things that fit your style, you can keep forever, and cost the same as the junk that you get at Target - definitely worth it to look secondhand.

2. Fancy Dresses

If you wear suits and tuxes, you can already usually rent the things you need, but for people who wear dresses, you are usually expected to buy event dresses from proms to weddings to more new every time.

It's a trap! Don't do it!

Obviously the first step in this is simply borrowing from friend's closets. If that won't work for you, start watching on Thred Up, Ebay (no seriously, pick a fancy brand you love and see what they have) and Rent the Runway for things you can buy on mega sale (Rent the Runway has a clearance section for their dresses if you don't want to rent). Check your local consignment shops. You could also rent something from Rent the Runway.

You get major, major bonus points if you do this as a bride/groom. Let your wedding party rent something, because no one actually needs a collection of bridesmaid dresses (but we all have them). Even better? Get your own wedding dress secondhand! There are tons of online and brick spaces that sell wedding gowns. You can save thousands of dollars (not to mention free yourself from a whole host of nonsense expectations).

Want more spots for secondhand fashion? Check out this post.

1. Everything for Baby (with 2 Exceptions)

You can (and should) get everything for your baby secondhand.

There are only two things that you might need to get new- the crib and the car seat. Literally everything else? Secondhand.

I wish someone had shared this wisdom with me before we had our first baby. We got so much stuff brand new (I can remember a hundred+ dollar splurge on the Carter's website, a baby shower of all new stuff, and more). Everything on your baby list can be acquired another way. The baby will absolutely not care. It saves money, but more importantly, it protects that sweet baby's future.


What is your favorite thing to get secondhand?

We can minimize our fossil fuel use and support makers near us by buying more from local makers (and a lot less from big stores). I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So let's look at some of the best stuff together. 

from Intericon

Lots of people are starting their back to school shopping. Be sure to check out this list of back to school essentials (hello recycled paper and pens!), but here are some of my favorite book bags I have seen in my research. If you can find a good backpack secondhand, that is really the ideal solution, if not ethically-made nearby is the best you can do.

Some are definitely for grown-ups (see- very expensive and will need years of use), and some are more kid-friendly!

from Oliday

1. Oliday

 One of my favorite Etsy stores. Gorgeous laptop bags, camera bags and diaper bags all made in Los Angeles.  Right now, their bags are all made for at least high school age students and adults, but they have offered kids bags in the past, so I would check.

 We have been using an Oliday diaper bag for three years, so I can vouch for how well these bags are made. The bag still looks great, and my love for them has only grown.

The Curious Catbird

2. The Curious Catbird

This store screenprints adorable animals onto otherwise neutral backpacks. So cute, and perfect for an elementary schooler if you don't want them to grow out of it immediately. Some are more grown up geekery, so they might be perfect for a gym bag.

3. Stitchcrafty4u

For little kids' backpacks, my favorites are these adorable ones from Stitchcrafty4u. Super cute and handmade. They have a great selection of toddler back packs, but it looks like they are starting to make Big Kid ones too.

from Intercon

4. Intericon

 Mostly simple, but beautiful bags, and they are handmade in Hawaii! Most are between 70 and 100 dollars, and they also make super affordable lunch bags (you may just see them again on that list!). These sometimes have "hipster" in the title, but don't stress- they look effortlessly cool and great for kids.

from Medium Control

5. Medium Control

This store sells over 100 backpacks, all with exceptionally cool printing on them. I mean, what high schooler is going to school with a Bauhaus symbol on their bag? At least one, and that kid is way cooler than I was at that age (I mean, that's true of most high schoolers, but the Bauhaus kid is setting an even higher bar). Bags vary from 35 to 50 dollars, so well within affordable and actually cheaper than the LL Bean bags everyone has (that are made in China).

There are even more gems there! Check out the beauties from Bagamie, CanopyVerde, and christystudio.

If you are brave, you can even get sewing patterns from IThinkSewBags.



Happy school shopping! Where is your favorite place to buy a backpack?

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

As we get ready for the school year, lots of us also get ready to pack a lunch! Not everyone does, and I think it is totally up to you whether your kid (or you!) brings a lunch. Still, this is another one of those things where there is no need to settle for the junk they sell at Walmart or Target- you can buy something specially-made in the US on Etsy and use it for years. Let's make our lunches zero waste!

For a Lunch Sack

from A Little Lark

A Little Lark sells simple cotton bags with all sorts of hilarious and/or adorable designs silkscreened onto them. Such a cool variety and I think this would be absolutely perfect most elementary schoolers. Cool and different, but also really affordable.

from Italic Home

I love these bags from Italic Home, because they look so much like a regular paper lunch bag, but on closer inspection, you see they are made from waxed canvas. It feels modern and totally eco and animal-friendly. If you like these waxed bags but are looking for a different color, you can try Newton Supply Co.

from Intericon

Intericon makes gorgeous cotton and leather lunch sacks that could look grown up enough for a workplace while still being sturdy enough for a kid. Might be a perfect transitional bag for a high schooler. I like that it stays standing on its own.

from Waami Industries

Waami Industries makes great-looking lunch sacks in some of my favorite colors. Based out of Minneapolis, this company takes low cost and low value items, chooses more beautiful and eco-friendly materials, and what results is just really sharp and well-suited to all sorts of students and adults.

from Cloth Bliss

If you (or your little one) want something with some pattern or fun, check at Cloth Bliss which has all sorts of cute patterns and designs. I can totally see this coming with someone to elementary school!

And Instead of those Ziploc Bags...

from Love for Earth

Love for Earth makes tons of sizes and colors sandwich and snack bags out of their shop in Virginia. They have amazing reviews, and you just handwash the bags with the rest of your dishes for the day. One bag can last years, replacing tons of ziplocs (saving money and preventing waste- score!).

from Olive Street Studio

Olive Street Studio also makes wet bags/ sandwich bags. I love the cute patterns they come in, though I would worry about getting something too cutesy since they last so long!

from Bag it Conscious

Bag it Conscious sells sandwich, snack, and lunch bags. I love the bright colors and simple designs. The patterns look so fun for younger kids. Plus, they have 3000 positive reviews, so they must know what is up. (check out equally fun napkins to put with it on Creekside Kid).

from Sweet Pea Purse Company

Sweet Pea Purse Company also makes sandwich bags in some seriously adorable prints that might even be cool enough for a high schooler to use. Other ones are pure kiddo, but check them out.



Want to make your home greener? No matter the size or location, you can limit your waste and make your house have a more positive impact on the environment. Check out the Green Home Page for thousands of ideas on how to do it.

Ok, friends. We are getting to the end of the line. Christmas is coming.

There is no more time to procrastinate. Get those final gifts so you can focus on celebrating, not shopping!

I have a very distinct memory of going to Walmart on Christmas Eve with my amazing (but also amazingly busy) mother so she could frantically finish up her Christmas shopping in the last hour. I was sure I would be nothing like that, because I thought I couldn't stand the chaos, and you would definitely think I wouldn't fall prey to that kind of procrastination now that ethical and eco-friendly shopping is so important to me, right? But yeah, I procrastinate like everybody else.

 We all have a week before Christmas, so it must be time to forget ethical gifting and just fill those gaps, right? Wrong! You and I can still make good choices for a few days before we reach the Christmas Eve Hail Mary trip. Stores are still open.  Hope continues for a while longer!

This post does use affiliate links from Amazon and Etsy. It is probably too late for Etsy, but before you revert to Prime, check out what is in your own neighborhood! Money sent to Amazon will never see your community again, but money paid to local business owners continue to enrich the place you live. Check out this post to see other places to shop online. 

So, here is a list of things you could still pick up now. It's not too late to do something good with your Christmas shopping!

1. Experience Gifts 

Experience gifts are the BEST, and you can get a gift card to their favorite restaurant last minute as easily as ahead. Also last minute? A coupon to do 5 hours of handyman work at their house. Movie Tickets. Event tickets. Piano Lessons. Couples Dance Classes. A Gift card for a cleaning lady. A Netflix subscription.

When you step out of that box, where every gift has to be a material thing, you see that the options are endless.

Still don't see an idea that clicks with you? I have 99 ridiculously awesome experience gifts on this list. As you reflect on that person, something will click, and it could be the absolute best gift you've ever given, even in a pinch.

Need more reason to go this route? These gifts create less waste and shift the focus away from overconsumerism (which is making us all miserable) to the memories and moments that make our lives amazing. What a huge gift.

2. Anything from a Locally-Owned Store Nearby

 Before you try anything else, take a shopping trip to your local downtown, consignment shop, antique mall, or candy store. You may not find anything, or you might find something really really cool.

Do you even have a grocery store in your neighborhood with local products? Maybe something a little pricey for everyday shopping? Start there. Any adults on the list are likely to enjoy some bread or cheese or candles or soap that was made nearby. These might be the kind of stores that are not open at all hours, and they may not stay open on Christmas Eve, but if you spend some of that last 50 bucks of panic money locally, you could be helping to save the jobs of your friends and neighbors.

One of our family branches just does a 20 dollar limit white elephant, and we make a point to buy all of those gifts in our neighborhood. It means we have spent at least 80 dollars in the community that made us that will stay in that community. I love that, and feel really excited about it. Plus, we have found some really cool stuff!

Made locally and sold locally means that gift used less fossil fuels and created way less waste. It also keeps jobs in your neighborhood.

3. Buy Nothing

  This week, I saw so many people ask for specific gifts or give gifts that might be Christmas-worthy on this site. I gave away some baby stuff so new aunts could re-gift to their new niece and nephews. I have been so moved to see people help others celebrate Christmas in their homes and stock their house with gifts when otherwise there may not have been any. It's hard to fight with free, and that thing lingering on your list might already be collecting dust in someone else's closet. In a pinch, asking your neighbors for help produces surprising and moving results!

Not in a Buy Nothing Group yet? Craziness! Check out their webpage to see if there is one near you (checked before? Maybe check again, because new ones are constantly starting). If there isn't, I have a resolution for you for the New Year...

4. Donations

5. Make Something

My Aunt Joanna is a master gardener, and she has perfect advice for all of us- 

"EVERYONE should grow something, even if it's just spinach and lettuce in a flowerpot on your porch!!!!"


She is right! Whether a person you love gardens now or needs that push to get started, lives are completely improved by growing things. 





Growing and preserving food is one of the most eco-friendly things we can all do. Not to mention, growing food can create an appreciation for what you eat and provide food that is clean, healthy, and pesticide-free. And what you can't grow, buy local and seasonal! Just another thing that is good for your body, good for your home, good for the country, and good for the Earth. It's a hard logic to fight with! 

Plants, even small indoor plants, clean the air and have been proven to actually change the chemicals in your brain to make you happier!Truly, growing things is a worthy task for everyone. 

In the summers, my Aunt Joanna spends her time at a Giving Garden in State College, PA. A Giving Garden grows food specifically to give to charities and food banks, to give fresh food to people who need it. This is a truly amazing idea, and lots of cities and towns are starting them (Seattle even has a group to organize theirs), so if this sounds up your alley, check into your hometown!

 Joanna  has LOTS of experience gardening. She had tons of good ideas for things she would like to have to work in her garden and the Giving Garden, and her wisdom could be helpful for lots of us! I know I was taking notes, as we are just learning to grow food in our own yard. 

Thinking about gardening too? Joanna has some suggestions to add to your Christmas List (or to gift a grower in your life). Here's her list: 

Plants

Tools

Gloves and Sunhats

Poles

Twine

Baskets

DIY Decorations

Pocketknife/ Cutting Board/ Kitchen Knife

Canning Jars and Supplies

Seeds

Joanna had way more effective advice than I can give, so I will let her do most of the talking and just chime in here and there. 

This blog has affiliate links for Amazon and Etsy. I highly recommend you shop locally first- rural and urban areas tend to have nurseries or farm supply stores. Money you spend at local businesses stay in your community and do more good. 

Plants

  "Nourse Farms for berries, White Flower Farms for flowers, trees from a local nursery if you can.....Gift certificates are awesome!"

Just to Add: Can I second the thought on gift certificates? A gift certificate for a local nursery makes for a gift that keeps on giving (without having to guess what someone might want months from now)!

from Fisher Blacksmithing

 Tools

 "Green Heron is the best..they are expensive, though. A narrow shovel , hand weeder, or a swan necked hoe are wonderful gifts, better than another shovel :)"

Just to Add- Green Heron, based out of Pennsylvania, does look awesome, and they make some of their tools to ergonomically work better for women? That seems cool. For other large gardening tools, you can also check out Gardex. You can also buy Trowel Pal shovels, which are super cute and USA-made.

If you are looking for hand tools for the garden, Fisher Blacksmithing makes their collection in Montana (not the cheapest, but gorgeous and lasting.  Ashfield Tools also look beautiful and are well-loved by their owners. Flexrake also makes cultivators and small hand tools here in America.

from Amazon

Gloves and Sunhats

"At least buy them from an American company, but it may be hard to find ones made here. Womanswork has good stuff along these lines."

Just to Add- We got these Womanswork gloves years ago, and they are still going strong. does have American-made gloves, but not all are, so check before you buy. There are other options- like these made in America leather gloves (the brand seems to be MidWest), but they do depend on whether you are alright using animal products. I also love these greener bamboo options, though they aren't made in the US. 

That said, you should check your local nursery. In this area, I have noticed there are brands out there that mostly sell to professionals and don't have much online presence. This is a really good one to check with your local gardening experts (no, not Home Depot. Local). 

You can also find some Made in the USA options for sun hats. You could get GI sunhats that are made in the US- not super cute, but it gets the job done! Etsy also has a couple of floral options- from Freckles California is my favorite. You can also find hats secondhand on Thred Up, Ebay, or your local secondhand store.  If you can sew things yourself, you can also get a pdf pattern for a hat so you can make the perfect gift!

 Poles

  "Always choose bamboo, or at least plain metal. Plastic coated stakes always, always, always shed the coating, and then rust."  

from storenvy

We use poles to hold up tomatoes and other vine-y veggies, but I thought these poles were a lot more fun. I found some stuff online, but you are better off going to a garden supply store than paying for all that shipping. We do about 50% wood and 50% plain metal. So far both held up, but I will just say "hell yeah!" to any suggestion of leaving plastic out. 

 Twine 

 "Again, no plastics or metal. They just make a mess later Hemp or jute are easy, cheap, and biodegrade so you don't have to clean up. You can never have enough."  

Just to Add- Don't buy twine Made anywhere but the US! And don't buy plastic! The price difference is minimal, and you have myriad options: this one, this one, this one (from a Gardening Gal- good place to browse) or this one. Seriously, so many good choices.

from Amazon.com

 Basket

 "The ubiquitous tub trug is plastic, BPA free made in Spain. . It's pretty, and relatively cheap and extremely handy, so it gets longevity points. Better choice is a classic wood bushel or 1/2 bushel basket. Most orchards sell them , or will sell you one if you ask. Ours were $4 . They last forever, and when they finally fail, use what's left for kindling. The only downside is they aren't washable, and you can't carry water in them.  Burlap bags are good for storing onions, garlic, and potatos. And dahlia bulbs! When they fall apart, you can compost them."

Just to Add- The Black tub trug is also recycled plastic, so if you are going to trug a tub, pick this one! The colors are prettier, but really, how pretty do you need this to be? 

I also love the idea of buying someone bushel baskets for a Christmas gift. I have never seen that before, but tie a ribbon to a stack, and that would be so cute! Like Joanna said, you can get them at orchards. 

 DIY Garden Decorations

"Paint a rock, label with plant names and use as markers in the garden. I've seen them on pinterest and they are totally cute. I have no time to make them...Or homemade soap, since we are always washing the dirt off Prep materials."

from Garden Garnish

My Thoughts- The painted rocks are really awesome, and they might make a perfect gift for a gardener in your life. Check out painted garden rocks on Pinterest and you will have your gift idea in a second. I also found cool reused spoon markers on Etsy. This might be tougher to make yourself, but they would be neat if you don't craft!

If you want to go the soap route, I will address this AWESOME gift option for anyone later this season, but you could go for one of these gardener soaps, wrapped in gardening gloves as a gift. 

Cutting Tools- "Gardeners need a pocketknife, a cutting board, and a good kitchen knife. I have a single blade folding Kershaw (made in the usa) knife, and my cutting boards are bamboo and one is made of recycled husks, bought at Bed Bath Beyond...Chef's knives are good all purpose, but I prefer a santuko (sp?) because it's smaller and I have little hands. Mine is a cuisinart, cheap and effective."   

Just to Add- I discussed knives and cutting boards at length in my Wedding Registry blogs, but I will point to a few of my favorites for this blog. Our favorite cutting boards would be these recycled ones from Epicurean. If recycled plastic cutting boards aren't your thing, consider buying bamboo instead of wood (better yet if its sustainable). 

Canning Supplies- "Canning jars and supplies from Ball, which is a made-in-USA company. Glass jars are better for the food, and better for people, but don't ever preserve things on your own -- borrow The Blue Book (the Ball guide to canning; it was blue, once) from a library or a friend."

Just to Add- More serious canning supplies can also be found Made in America, but I am not sure you want to jump in without solid recommendations from someone who already cans. Also, those Ball Jars are perfect for all kinds of crafts and gifting. Cheap, Made in the USA, and available in tons of sizes- this is a dream eco-friendly product, because you still have tons of choices. 

 Seeds and whatnot- "My professional botanist/grower friend says Johnny's 

Seeds (Maine) and High Mowing Seed Co (Vermont) are the very best in the country if not the world. Organic and ethical and good seeds, literally. Those packets in stores from Large Seed Companies have a very poor success rate as seeds. 

More Gift Ideas

from Timberlane Gardens

Raised Beds, Pots, or Hanging Gardens- Not everyone has a big backyard or a public garden to grow in, but everyone can find some way to grow something, even if it's small. If you know someone who might love to garden, this might help them get started or find the space. I know I would love getting some raised beds for our yard!

I would avoid plastic- if you want something more durable than wood, I suggest a big metal tub like this one from Behrens.  For wood options, none are as pretty as the Timberline Garden planting beds; they are based out of Illinois, and this is one to seriously consider the efficacy of the shipping. If you want to make your own (which would be awesome), you can get pdfs of illustrated plans for great looking options from Etsy stores like John Marc 33.

from Roped on Cedar

These vertical gardens from Roped on Cedar are both adorable and a great option for someone with lots of space or just a little patio! This could work for so many people, so if you are thinking of going big this Christmas (and they are on sale right now).

For smaller spaces, you can get hanging gardens made out of 100% recycled polyester (my favorite are these Planty Pockets, which are made of 100% recycled fabric, but do have to travel all the way from Israel) or, my favorite, Panda Pots which are made with recycled plastic here in the US.

from artifact bag co

A Gardening Apron- My mom is also a pretty intense gardener, and I know she sometimes finds a small apron helpful to carry her supplies around and for jobs like weeding, so she isn't up and down as much.

 I love this one from Artifact Bag Co, which is pretty but also looks like it will last for a long time. These ones, from Such a Pretty Dress, are a little more affordable. I like this one from Lady Overboard in Wisconsin. But there are plenty on Etsy between 20 and 50 bucks, so you are bound to find something perfect. 

A Super Cool Music List- I know, a mix cd or a music list may seem like the kind of thing you stop gifting when you graduate high school, but aren't we all on the lookout for cool music? And I find working in our yard to be a kind of zen activity where I can listen to music and just get work done. Something upbeat and fun, whether listened to out loud or on headphones, might be the best gift you can give (bonus points if you can make it gardening themed). 

A Day of Planting Together- Maybe you give them coupons to be their assistant on a big planting day, or maybe you sign up to volunteer together. If the person you love enjoys growing things, showing interest in that joy might be the best gift you can give them. 

And on an environmental note, you can't do better than to spend a few days a year planting trees or other native plants. We desperately need them at every corner of the Earth, so the more you plant, the better you are doing. So the gardener in your life is an absolute gem! 

Thank you so much, Aunt Joanna, for your list which was really fun and inspiring to read and research! I hope you all are feeling inspired to get out there and grow, or at least nail your earth-friendly gifting for your Earth-Friendly loved ones! 

Check back in a day or two for our next Christmas list, and if you are looking to get inspired now, check out the Mega List of Shopping Inspiration!  

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