The Feel Good File from October 15th, 2020

Fall is officially here, and it is gorgeous. Thanks, Mamma Nature, for the rainbow confetti you’re sprinkling us with right now (we’ve needed it). Whether you’re a leaf peeper, a pumpkin spice-er, or you’re all about the sweater weather, these cooler months are the perfect opportunity to get cozy with our loved ones, and to take in the natural beauty of the world around us.

At Shop Tomorrows, we like to take a “think globally, act locally” approach. We know our actions have the power to change the world, one tee-shirt at a time. But sometimes, you’ve gotta act globally, too. That’s why this week’s dispatch is all about re-thinking our holiday habits, re-connecting with nature, and finding small ways to do big things in our own backyard and beyond.

From making your own Halloween costumes, to making a plan to vote, our choices today have the power to affect the world we live in for years, and generations, to come. As Elle Woods might say… “what, like it’s hard?”

Here’s what we’re fall-ing for this month…

A Green(er) Halloween: Did you know that nearly 85% of Halloween costumes will eventually end up in landfills? That amount of garbage is enough to scare the Snickers bars out of us. But amazing costumes don’t have to come out of a plastic bag, and you definitely don’t need Project Runway-level sewing skills to create fabulous DIY looks. Shop Tomorrows is the spot to get and sell pre-loved costume pieces and accessories for your kids. Head on over to the blog for some fresh ideas to make this your cutest, most sustainable Halloween ever (no needle and thread required—we swear).

Good Gourd: What do you do when October is over, and your pumpkin has turned into a pumpkin? If you don’t want to contribute to the one billion (yes, billion, with a “b”) pounds of pumpkin garbage heading to the landfill, there are tons of easy and delicious ways to recycle them. Carved jack-o-lanterns make for great composting, or donate them to a nearby farm to give the animals a special treat.  Decorative gourds make a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece, or you could make your own pumpkin puree for soups, cakes, and honest-to-goodness pumpkin spice lattes! Yum.

Voting Matters: It may not always feel like what goes on in D.C. has much of an impact on our day-to-day lives, but our political system affects everything, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. With the 2020 election just a few weeks away, now’s the perfect time to talk to your kids about how voting works and why it’s so important. Here are some great books to get you started!

Sticks and Stones: It’s prime leaf-peeping time, so why not get the kids outside and make some Andy Goldsworthy-style land art? All you’ll need are your own two hands and whatever materials you can find in nature, like leaves, pinecones, twigs, pebbles, rocks, and flowers. Land Art For Kids has enough simple-yet-gorgeous projects to keep you busy well into winter.

Merch That Gives Back: Political merch is cuter than ever, with plenty of fashion designers and high-end brands getting into the game. So if you must shop for something new this election cycle,  here’s a great list of apparel and accessories that give back with every purchase. And definitely check out some of the makers on Etsy doing amazing things with up-cycled fabrics and clothing.

Yes She Can: Election season can get a little intense, so for the middle schoolers in your life, check out The Campaign by Leila Sales. In this hilarious political comedy (think Veep meets The Babysitters Club), a 12-year-old named Maddie convinces her babysitter Janet to run for mayor, and ends up in charge of the whole campaign! It’s a great way to open up conversations about activism, and what it means to be an engaged citizen, no matter how old (or young) you are.

Keep It Gucci: Okay, this is huge: Gucci just partnered with The RealReal, and they’re launching a dedicated site for secondhand items from the brand itself. Why is this such a big deal? Because the biggest name in luxury fashion just planted their flag on planet resale, making it clear that consumers shouldn’t have to choose between high-end style and living sustainably. As the cool kids say, that’s pretty darn Gucci.