I am a notoriously bad gift giver during the holiday season. I put pressure on myself to find the perfect present, but I routinely struggle to live up to that expectation. With nothing specific in mind, I’m relegated to combing through bookstores or the mall in search of the perfect gift. This year though, gift-giving has been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. And while online Christmas deals may be enticing, they promote unsustainable shopping habits. Boxes from my family’s combined Christmas shopping have been flooding our front doorstep. Our recycling is crammed with deconstructed boxes, and the plastic packaging and peanuts seem to double our trash. With all the excess packaging and plastic that comes with online shopping, it’s time to reconsider mass online vendors and instead look for smaller, in-person vendors who are more environmentally conscious.

Online shopping is sustainable to the extent that it limits carbon emissions from car transportation. However, virtual shopping’s environmental impact is a much more complex issue. First of all, it encourages quantity over quality. Without being able to try on an item, shoppers are more likely to buy multiple cheap items—thus, the label of “fast fashion.” This idea of cheap but unsustainable products applies to Christmas shopping as well. What’s even the purpose of giving a small gift that someone may ultimately never use? A big part of sustainable gift shopping is eliminating the gift that serves no purpose other than a gift. Instead, a card, baked goods or a handmade ornament are examples of things that can be both low-cost and low-impact on the environment.

Granted, coronavirus is a major concern for vendors and customers alike. And for those who are especially concerned, perhaps look for local vendors who offer online shopping but an in-person pickup to minimize contact and exposure. Many places in St. Louis alone—for example Left Bank Books—have adapted their procedures to be more accommodating to customers. Now, all online orders can be found outside their Central West End store with contact-less pickup. And that’s just one idea. Vendors are employing increasingly creative methods to make sure that people can shop safely.

It’s also important to recognize that some online vendors are more environmentally conscious than others. Certain brands like Made Trade and Reformation use recycled packaging and have made a concerted effort to be eco-friendly. They follow criteria such as heritage and fair trade that ensure that the goods are responsibly and ethically made. If you do have to shop online, prioritizing these stores can be a way to balance sustainability with safe shopping practices.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful, but the social pressure to give a good gift to friends and family is undeniable. In our consumer culture, there are so many cheap gifts that the act of gift giving loses its meaning and becomes a performative act. It’s time to prioritize creativity over material value. Make a Spotify playlist for your siblings or wrap up a favorite book with a special inscription. Plan a trip together. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the holiday spirit of giving, but it’s also important to step back and realize that our holiday shopping can have a negative environmental impact if it continues unchecked.