Spend Less, Give More: A Guide to a Sustainable Holiday Season

Quinn Fournier

The holidays are rolling around, just as they do every year, but they won’t be so happy for many. With SNAP Benefits being cut nationwide, and New Hampshire being the 14th most expensive state to live in (caphr.org). Many NH residents will have to cut back this year. This article is a guide to a homemade holiday season, on how to buy less, avoid big-box stores, and give back to our community.

To start, let’s talk about decorations. It can be tempting to buy new decorations each year to follow the trends, but there are other methods to spread cheer rather than purchasing more. For example, a “Decoration Swap” is an idea seen on social media that suggests meeting with family or friends to swap holiday decorations for the season. This is one way to switch up your home without spending a cent. 

Another activity is an absolute classic: paper chains. You can use colored paper or leftover wrapping paper for this craft. Using a glue stick, stapler, or tape, you can connect paper rings to make a colorful chain. Using different paper variations and chains with wider or thinner rings, you can create an array of colorful embellishments to hang in any room. 

Finally, a personal favorite of mine, paper bag wrapping paper. Over the months, collect some paper bags from any store (grocery stores will be easiest) and then cut them apart to get one sheet. You will need to remove the handles, then get to work! Using festive rubber stamps, paint/paint pens, or stickers, you can create your own personalized wrapping paper (which can be recycled! This is a perfect activity for a snowy day inside, to do with friends or family, with a holiday movie on in the background.

Giving is the true meaning of this time of year, and this extends past family and friends. With so many struggling, it's crucial to take care of your community the best you can. Here are some local foundations to look into. 

St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry

Located on 53 Lincoln Street in Exeter,  SVdP is not currently taking volunteers, but is always accepting monetary donations. Their website also features a current “Wish list” of needed items, including fresh produce, tea/coffee, toilet paper, and deodorant. Please visit their website for specifics. (SVdP takes donations on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.)

Seacoast Family Promise 

According to their website, Seacoast Family Promise’s mission is “To empower families with children who are experiencing homelessness to achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.”  Seacoast Family Promise is seeking volunteers for the Day Care Center, Maintenance, Landscaping, and other positions. If this is of interest to you, there is a Google Form on their website. Seacoast Family Promise is also accepting monetary donations. 

The Exeter Community Fridge

A wonderful invention of our very own Daniel Provost (Mr. Provost to most) and his wife, Mary-Paige Provost, the community fridge is located outside the YMCA on 56 Linden Street, Exeter. Mentioned in other Talon articles, the fridge continues to be a great community resource. It is open all day, every day, accepting all sorts of foods. Fresh produce, pantry goods, or homemade meals. Even making an extra serving of your dinner and driving it over helps out. It’s a great way to get out leftovers that would go to waste, and one of the easiest ways to help out. Just make sure to list all ingredients in homemade dishes in case of allergies!

Exeter Community Fridge is reachable at @exeter_community_fridge on Instagram

In conclusion, food, clothing, housing, etc., are all basic human needs and should be birth rights. It's so important to give to those less fortunate to create a community based on trust and empathy. Remember to keep your eye out for school-wide events. We had a canned food drive at our homecoming game and dance, and Student Senate just had a very successful warm clothing drive. Keep your eyes peeled for posters in the halls and social media posts. In the words of a seasonal favorite himself, Charles Dickens, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

Works Cited

“Give - Seacoast Family Promise.” Seacoast Family Promise, 11 Feb. 2025, seacoastfamilypromise.org/give/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

“Giving Quotes (1059 Quotes).” Goodreads.com, 2025, www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/giving.

“Our Mission.” CAPHR, 2023, www.caphr.org/who-we-are.

SVdP Exeter. “Home - SVdP Exeter.” Svdpexeter.com, 2024, svdpexeter.com/home. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

The. “The Talon - Exeter Community Fridge.” Google.com, 2022, sites.google.com/sau16.org/thetalon/past-years/2022-2023-articles/january-issue/exeter-community-fridge. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.