CONCORD, N.H. — Inflation is impacting consumer holiday spending this year, with 60% of Americans planning to seek out sales to save money, according to a recent Statista survey. The second and third most popular shopping plans heading into the holidays are taking advantage of deal days and simply buying less expensive gifts.
Goodwill Northern New England is a local nonprofit that offers all three of these money-saving options on holiday essentials that also happen to be more sustainable, and charitable too.
“The dollars spent in Goodwill NNE stores help fund workforce and disability programs that support people across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in achieving personal stability,” said Goodwill NNE’s Senior Vice President of Mission Services, Trendy Stanchfield. “Shopping secondhand, especially during the holidays where consumption is at a peak, can make a real difference to your community, to the environment and to your wallet.”
Here’s three tips to help you make the most of your holiday shopping budget:
– Do your research. Think before you spend. Learn about ways to save and where your money is actually going. You can support your values with your purchases by buying from nonprofits and retailers that give back to your community.
– 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. Your creative gift wrapping can double as a part of your gift!
– 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. There’s a sale every day at Goodwill NNE that can be found on signs across their stores or on the digital sales calendar. Building a gift basket is a holiday go-to for many Goodwill shoppers between the abundance of baskets, candles, tea-towels and glassware available. Givers can choose to top off a thrifted gift basket with a bottle of wine or bag of coffee without spending more than $20-$30 overall. Other thriftable holiday essentials include sweaters, tableware, decorations and more.
Goodwill also offers another way to give through their donation centers that keep unwanted gifts and goods in use and out of landfills. With the help of Goodwill shoppers and donors, the local nonprofit diverts 50+ million pounds of donated goods from landfills annually. Thousands of people are also helped each year through Goodwill NNE’s workforce programs and disability services that invest in those who need support to achieve their work and life goals.
Goodwill NNE is serving thrifted gift and décor inspiration on their social media platforms. Holiday inventory is available at all Goodwill NNE stores now, which are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Goodwill Northern New England is a nonprofit that invests in people who need support to achieve their work and life goals. Goodwill’s workforce and disability services support more than 10,000 people each year. The stores drive sustainability through re-use, while offering good jobs and free supports to all employees. Goodwill NNE operates in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
For more information visit GoodwillNNE.org.
