Shake up your shopping habit this season to find the most thoughtful and unique holiday gifts — all while avoiding getting trampled by huge shopping mobs. Instead of spending your cash on the same cheaply-manufactured gizmo everyone else is getting at chain megastores, buy local!

By thinking outside the big box store, you’ll find affordable one-of-a-kind gifts, all while reducing your carbon footprint, making friends with small businesses in your community, keeping money in your local economy and creating a cuter, more walkable neighborhood. Where to look first:

Stop by your farmers’ market. No, we’re not just talking organic fruit baskets, though those do make nutritious and tasty gifts. These days, many farmers’ markets have local vendors offering everything from uniquely designed T-shirts to handmade jewelry. At my market in Santa Monica, I can find gorgeous handmade soaps (above), gift baskets of roasted nuts, honey-scented beeswax candles, and even holiday wreaths!

Search Etsy’s Shop Local. Just type in your city in the search box to find one-of-a-kind gifts created by your crafty neighbors. Not only will you be able to buy local, you’ll buy handmade too! An increasing number of Etsy stores also feature eco-goodies made with reclaimed, recycled, or otherwise green materials, so spend a little time seeking out the eco-gems. And since you’re buying directly from people in your community, you may even make a new friend — or knitting / sewing group member!

Browse through your local green directory. To find green stores and services near you, pick up a copy of The Big Green Apple (New York), Greenopia (Los Angeles and San Francisco). Don’t have a green directory in your city? Planet Green’s brief Green City Guides may be able to get you started.

Get to your local shopping event. In the LA-area, we have a Holiday Gift Bazaar coming up on Nov. 15 featuring eco-stationery, fair trade body care products, organic clothing, and more, all from local businesses.

Support your local eco-nonprofits. Tired of the materialism that comes with the holidays? Then instead of an extravagant gift, opt for a donation to a local environmental group working your area. Many nonprofits let you donate in honor of a friend or family member, who are sent a card letting them know about your donation. Your dedicated donation will help create green changes in your neighborhood — and may even inspire your giftee to get involved with the eco-organization! Two of my favorites are TreePeople and Heal the Bay.

[crossposted on BlogHer]

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