12/20/23: Ditch The Duds: 5 Common Items To Avoid Gifting

Hi my friend,

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Ditch the Duds: 5 Common Gifts To Reconsider

The holiday season is upon us, a time for joy, togetherness, and...potentially receiving some not-so-stellar presents. 

While good intentions abound, some popular picks can land with a thud - bad for the environment, potentially harmful to health, and ultimately unused or unwanted. 

So, to inch our culture closer to a regenerative future, and spare your loved ones the eco-guilt, let's ditch the duds and choose gifts that are thoughtful, sustainable, and sure to spark joy.

1. Glitter Galore? Not So Much:

Those sparkly cards and wrapping paper might seem festive, but their glittery sheen comes at a hidden cost. 

Much of that sparkle is made from microplastics – tiny plastic fragments that pollute our oceans, soil, and even the air we breathe. 

These microplastics harm marine life, disrupt ecosystems, and can even end up on our dinner plates. 

Opt for recycled paper, natural decorations like dried leaves or pine cones, and ditch the glitter - your loved ones (and the planet) will thank you.

2. Scented with Secrets: The Unsavory Truth About Perfume:

A luxurious perfume might seem like a pampering treat, but the industry's love affair with the word "fragrance" can be misleading. 

Often hidden under this umbrella term are a slew of potentially harmful chemicals, including phthalates, musks, and parabens, linked to endocrine disruption, allergies, and even reproductive issues. 

Skip the potential health risks and choose natural alternatives like essential oil-based perfumes or body oils made by trusted companies with transparent ingredients and high standards. 

Great documentary on this topic: Stink.

3. Flickering Fumes:

Conventional store-bought candles often contain paraffin wax, a petroleum-based product that releases harmful chemicals when burned. 

These chemicals can trigger allergies, respiratory problems, and even worsen asthma. 

Similar to perfumes, the fragrances to create that “gingerbread cookie” smell aren’t coming from whole ginger! It’s potentially thousands of undisclosed chemicals.

Additionally, paraffin candles often come in plastic containers, adding to the environmental burden. 

Instead, opt for candles made with natural beeswax or organic soy wax, both of which burn cleaner and don't release harmful toxins.

Eventually you can become sensitive enough that one quick whiff of a ‘fake’ candle, and you know instantly it is toxic fragrance, instead of the safer essential oils. 

4. Fashion Faux Pas: Synthetic Threads and Fast Fashion

Gifting the latest trendy threads might seem stylish, but consider the hidden cost of fast fashion. This industry churns out cheap, disposable clothing often made from synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic. 

These fabrics shed harmful microplastics, pollute waterways, and take centuries to decompose. Plus, the human and environmental costs of unethical fast fashion practices are well documented. 

Ditch the trend cycle and opt for gifts that prioritize quality over quantity. Choose ethically-sourced clothing made from natural fibers like organic cotton or hemp, or invest in timeless pieces from vintage stores or curated secondhand online platforms.

Your loved ones will appreciate the craftsmanship, uniqueness, and the feel-good factor of a sustainable wardrobe.

5. Tech Trinkets and the Battery Graveyard:

While gadgets and gizmos might seem like high-tech treats, consider their short lifespan and potential environmental impact. 

Many tech toys end up quickly outdated or unused, contributing to e-waste, one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. 

Batteries, often included in these gadgets, also pose environmental and health risks if not disposed of properly. 

Instead of adding to the tech graveyard, focus on experiences and connections. You could gift a subscription to a streaming service for movie nights in (especially one with educational documentaries!), tickets to a local musical performance, or a board game for family game nights. 

These create lasting memories and don't contribute to the mountain of electronic clutter.

Remember, the holidays are about celebrating the relationships that matter most. If you are blessed with holiday family gatherings, try your best to be present in the moment, and remember it’s about the people, not the material goods.

By choosing gifts that are kind to the planet and considerate of your loved ones' health and interests, you can create memories that sparkle far brighter than any glitter, smell sweeter than any artificial fragrance, and last longer than any impulse buy. 

By the way, I’m not perfect. It’s about moving in the right direction and learning more to do better each opportunity we get. So do your best to ditch the duds, embrace the spirit of conscious giving, and spread joy that's sustainable and truly meaningful.

Bonus Tip: Wrap gifts in reusable fabric or recycled paper, add a handwritten note (or card made from recycled materials), and demonstrate an example of another way it can be done.

Happy holidays!

To a healing future,

Rob

P.S. If you have other ideas of really common gifts that you wish weren’t so popular…just hit REPLY to this email and let me know.

P.P.S. Final reminder that it’s the final day to join Dr. Don Rosdale for the free masterclass The CEO Of Aging where he shares all his expertise on slowing and reversing degenerative conditions and symptoms of aging. We’re in the final hours, but you can still join HERE.