This holiday season, many people are giving more importance to the environment than the prices. So how can we change our buying habits to more “green” ones?

One option is to stick to your neighborhood’s independent retailers. This way, money will stay in the local economy. We can also buy pre-owned items instead of new ones. Reusing items such as clothing and furniture reduces pollution, which has resulted in new ways to shop for pre-loved products. And of course, who doesn’t love good food during the holidays? But keep in mind that eating less is still the best. Turkey is the traditional Christmas meat, but there are worries about how soya—which has been linked to deforestation—is used as food for livestock. As an alternative, you can make your own with seeds and grains.

It’s challenging to avoid overpreparing during the Christmas season. But the best way to approach the coming holiday is to buy fewer items. After all, the spirit of Christmas lies in the wonderful memories we share with our loved ones, not the money we spend.