Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter

Circumventing the Supply Chain

There’s been a lot of talk lately about supply chain problems. Logjams of shipping containers slowing Amazon’s roll. I’m not worried though, because I know how much we already have right here our own backyard.

For years, I’ve been searching out and writing about things that are actually manufactured in America (and yes, trucking issues are slowing down that part of the supply chain) and encouraging everyone to shop locally. I’ve also helped so many of you give so much stuff to thrift stores over the years that I can’t help but wonder if any of us need to buy anything new at all.

I love that my teenage twins are really into thrifting. They like that it’s cheap and they can experiment with different styles without investing a whole lot of cash (which is good, because they don’t have a whole lot of cash). But they’re also aware of the environmental benefits. They’re simultaneously thrilled and bewildered when they come across something at UNIQUE on 234th street in the Bronx that still has the original tags on it.

Thrifting isn’t only a teenage thing. My BFF, Katie, often finds unique and personal gifts for us at Housing Works, and when my kids break glasses (all the time!) I replace them from a thrift store. I don’t need a whole set, I just need one or two. I also like mismatched glasses because everyone can keep track of which glass is theirs.

Of course, “antiquing” is just thrifting for grownups with more money. I was flirting with the idea of buying soup bowls in my mother’s china pattern from Replacements.com (which would definitely get reuse-and-recycle points), but I’ve decided that there’s no rush, and that it would be more fun to search out mismatched but similar china soup bowls one at a time from antique and thrift stores. It’s always more fun to go antiquing when you have something to hunt for.

Who needs more stuff, though? I always encourage people to spend money on experiences rather than objects, and one of the best ways to do that this year would be to support local theatre. No shipping costs or delays at all. For those of us in NYC, Broadway is back and I for one am vaccinated, boosted and ready to partake, and everyone, everywhere should remember that there is no theatre (or live music) without an audience. So, step up, step out and keep it local this holiday season. The actors, the small business people and the earth will all thank you.