Holiday Tips to Help You Prepare, Save Money and Shop Sustainably
The holiday season is right around the corner. It’s the perfect time for family gatherings, celebrations and holiday shopping. With all the planning, preparation and costs that the season brings, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why Goodwill North Central Texas has put together some useful tips to help you plan ahead, save money, shop sustainably and make the most of your holiday season.
Here are some useful tips to help you get organized and ready to take the holiday season head-on:
- Shop in advance. Consider starting your holiday shopping at least two months in advance to take advantage of early sales and to snatch popular holiday gift items before they sell out. You can start a list of potential gift ideas even earlier to add to throughout the year.
- Avoid overspending and shop sustainably. Look for bargains on unique holiday items and treasures such as houseware, holiday decorations and clothing at secondhand stores like Goodwill North Central Texas.
- Get crafty. You can shop secondhand for holiday craft supplies or unique wrapping ideas like fun fabrics or reusable gift bags. Instead of new plastic containers for gifts of food, purchase pre-loved household items like glass dishes or cookie tins for your homemade treats.
- Host a secondhand holiday gift exchange. Ask guests to bring secondhand items as gifts to swap. Set a dollar limit or a theme to see what creative and fun finds everyone discovers.
- Create a DIY holiday outfit contest. Challenge your friends and family to put together unique, DIY holiday outfits for upcoming holiday celebrations. You can post photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook to have others vote on the best DIY outfits.
- Have a holiday donation drive. Host a donation drive to encourage people to clean out their closets or pass on the holiday décor they no longer use. Holiday items can be donated to your local Goodwill store.
- When you shop or make your end-of-the-year donations, learn where your money is going. Do your research so you can support your values with your donations and your purchases. Support nonprofits and buy from retailers that give back to your community.
“When you shop at Goodwill, you not only find unique holiday treasures, but you also help provide job opportunities for individuals in your community,” said Shay Gipson, Vice President of Community Engagement for Goodwill North Central Texas. “Donating and shopping at Goodwill also helps the environment by giving items a second life.”
Donations to Goodwill make a difference in our local community by giving items a second chance while creating opportunities for people to gain job skills and find meaningful work. The sale of donations at Goodwill North Central Texas helps provide job placement and training to individuals in the greater Fort Worth area. Last year alone, Goodwill shoppers helped 11,921 individuals in our community gain education, training and job placement.
When you bring donations to Goodwill or shop in our stores, you’re also driving the circular economy by promoting reuse. Last year, Goodwill diverted more than 4.3 billion pounds of used goods from landfills to give them a second life. So, this holiday season, give back, save money, and shop sustainably by choosing Goodwill—where every purchase and donation supports your community, the planet, and the spirit of the season.