By Yuki Nakayama, Ecology Center Writer
With the winter holiday season fast approaching, it is startling to realize that millions of tons of holiday waste are generated each year. While we are bombarded with gift guides and holiday shopping ads, the holidays do not have to be centered on consumer culture. There are plenty of ways to celebrate this time, cherishing connections and kinship instead of participating in capitalism. Here are some of my own practices and ideas, many of which are rooted in Japanese culture and customs.
Easy Handmade Gifts
One of my favorite low-cost practices in Japan is handmade gift tickets for a wide range of services. Young children commonly give these as gifts to their parents and grandparents, often as "kata tataki" (shoulder massage) tickets. These tickets let you be as simple or as artistic as you like, and they offer a fun opportunity for a family gift ticket-making session. As adults, this tradition can be a meaningful way to offer support without the pressure of asking for help, making the act of giving and receiving service truly special. It's a unique way to cherish connections, even in adulthood.
Handmade gifts can be more meaningful. For example, instead of holiday cards with generic statements, I love getting and giving letters, especially now that we live a very digital life. I like routinely rereading them. It is a nice opportunity to reflect on your relationship with the person and what they mean to you. The letters bring value that consumer goods cannot capture.
Otoshidama: A Japanese New Year Cash Gifting Tradition
In many Asian countries, there are many traditions of gifting cash, and in Japan, we have "Otoshidama" money. On New Year’s Day, kids receive a small envelope of cash from close adults to bring good fortune in the year. Money is often the most versatile and appreciated gift, which is why gift cards are so popular here in the US, too. I have never seen anyone who was disappointed about getting cash, including kids. This was one of my favorite parts of visiting extended family during the holidays for obvious reasons.
Donate In Their Name
A gift I have received that I frequently think about is a donation to an organization that plants trees in my name. It is very cool to know that my interpersonal relationships led to some trees being planted, and that those trees could be part of this planet beyond our lives. I was given this gift because this person knew that I care about the environment, like trees over flowers, and don't want more "stuff." I think about this gift a lot because it captures this person’s understanding of who I am and makes me feel seen. Such gestures not only strengthen personal bonds but also contribute positively to the world we share.
Opting Out of Holiday Gifts & Focusing on Other Moments
I often do not send winter holiday gifts to my family or friends. I also do not expect any gifts from them and have asked them not to buy anything for me. Instead, I focus on their birthdays or other life moments that have more meaning to me and the receiver of the gift. This means I have a bigger budget when I want to give, and it makes me think about what I want to cherish about my relationship with that person. Opting out of exchanging gifts is a very easy way to have a less-stuff holiday. Having a "no gift" holiday as a family takes the stress and pressure off of figuring out gifts. We've all experienced the stress of trying to get things shipped in time for specific holiday dates. It also helps to make holidays less transactional and financially sustainable for everyone involved.
Ecology Center Staff’s Less Stuff Holidays
At this point, I'd like to transition from my personal perspective to the voices of the Ecology Center staff, offering a broader view of how others celebrate a less-stuff holiday. I reached out to colleagues to learn about their practices and ideas for reducing holiday consumption while still appreciating the season's meaning.
One of the most common practices was reuse. Rachana Gone, Ecology Center Graphic Designer, shared a beautiful family tradition of using the same Christmas tree since 1999/2000. They’ve even travelled with their tree, bringing it from the U.S. to India. She said that “it becomes less about having the ‘perfect’ tree and more about honoring something that’s lasted decades and all of the memories tied to it.”
Many people mentioned reusing gift wrapping materials. This requires some planning to save materials from the gifts you’ve received the previous year and throughout the year, but it is an excellent and easy way to make gift-giving more environmentally friendly. It’s not always possible to opt out of giving gifts, and we all have special people who make us want to show our care and love through gifts. Mary Sue Schottenfels encourages people to look around and “re-gift” things they never used or donate them to those in need. If you are not going to use it, it's better to give it to someone who will use it instead of letting it collect dust in the basement or end up in the landfill. To get started, you can create a 'reuse box.' Simply place it in a convenient spot and fill it with reusable wrapping materials and items you could re-gift.
Handmaking things was another common practice among EC staffers. Erica Bloom likes making her own holiday decorations, which can be turned into a fun family activity. I thought this was a cool way to grow your holiday decorations over time and to imbue each one with special memories. Rachana also shared that she once made a Christmas tree using scrap wood and existing materials in the architecture studio where she worked; it was a fun office activity for the entire team.
Ecology Center’s Environmental Health Advocate, Melissa Cooper Sargent, holds a gift exchange where the gifts must be handmade. She has made hand and lip balms in non-plastic (mental or cardboard) containers for her family. This is an interesting tradition that makes one think creatively about what the receiver would enjoy and what you’re able to make.
Ecology Center Senior Scientist, Gillian Miller, Ph.D., suggested gifting food and beverages for people and animals. Food gifts become even more sustainable and affordable if you can grow your own ingredients. If you don’t have a home garden, she suggests going to local farmers’ markets to source ingredients or to purchase birdseeds and nut balls for winter birds, homemade dog treats, dried herbs or tea mixes, local meat jerky, homemade jam, honey, and local seasonal produce (e.g., winter squashes).
Thrifting was a popular suggestion, especially for those who do not have the time or resources to reuse or make gifts. One of the most enjoyable aspects of thrifting is the thrill of the hunt, as each trip can feel like a treasure-hunting adventure. An unexpected find can bring a sense of joy and wonder as you discover something unique and cherished. Some of my treasured gifts have been thrifted gifts from friends. I’ve received fresh flowers and a thrifted vase from a friend in case I didn't have any vases. If you do not have many thrifting options nearby, look into local “buy nothing” groups to get cool items for free.
Many EC staffers also skip giving objects altogether and focus on providing fun or functional experiences, such as movie / theater tickets, gift cards, and subscriptions to museums / restaurants / hairdressers / masseuses / various classes. Kathryn Savoie recently gifted her daughter a one-year membership to a bikeshare program. These gifts are also great for family and friends who live far away. You can look up local options they can use instead of shipping something during the busiest time of the year.
Less Stuff Holiday does not mean boring or bland. With a little creativity and intention, a handmade gift, a repurposed item, or a cherished experience can bring more meaning into our celebrations, helping create a community of inspiration and accountability.
Happy winter festivities to the EC community. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!