Holiday Consciousness

This holiday season, I pledged to buy handmade. However, in many ways, I disliked some of the connotations that came up with the idea of shopping "Handmade": that "handmade" can be so broad and vibrant, but can also have some negative connotations. Handmade can be construed as sloppy, cheaply made, and while I know this isn't true, it can be difficult to shrug off that image (especially when giving gifts!).

Instead, I Took the Handmade Pledge, and have expanded it to fit my own needs. This holiday season, I want to shop with a sustainable conscious. I will support local and independent designers and artists; I will support local businesses; I will give the gift of donations to nonprofit organizations. I will do, what is in my power, give gifts that are full of love and thought while leaving as small a footprint as possible.

For those who are also looking to expand upon their pledge, here are some resources I, my friends, and family will be using/have used this holiday season:

Adopt-An-Animal with the World Wildlife Federation. When I was young, I remember how excited I was to be given an adopted Humpback Whale as a present. Now that I'm older, I love the share this gift with Miss Malaprop (who got an octopus last year!), along with my nieces and nephews.

Child's Play Charity was founded by the guys behind Penny Arcade, and each holiday season they strive to raise money for children's hospitals around the country. If donating straight cash isn't your style, each participating children's hospital has an Amazon wishlist with toys and games desired at the hospital.

Miss Malaprop also has her three selected, New Orleans Recovery related charities. My personal favorite is The Green Project and their Recycle for the Arts program. Supporting a sustainable environment and arts community in New Orleans, and helping it rebuild, is important to me.


And keep your eyes open, because this Monday is the Fabulous! Festival with everything you'd need to know for the Holidays!. After this, the lovely Meg will be bringing the show back home at All About Appearances. This festival should be lovely, with tons of ideas for the next few weeks.