A Sustainable Guide To Gift Giving

Christmas shopping is upon us despite its different forms this year, and the worry of what to get who is as strong as ever. Fear not! Compiled below are some present ideas that spread joy and cheer without being less than festive to our planet…

• Let’s start on a slightly different note – this year has taught many of us that it is not the material things we accumulate that mean the most to us, but the health and happiness of ourselves and those around us and the possessions with meaning which are there for us. Therefore before you rush to buy anything straight away, think, is there something I can share with others? This Christmas finances are especially precious and the state of our planet is of upmost importance, so why not try sharing your skills as a gift to others, without having to be as consuming. If you are a good cook, could you write down a friends’ favourite recipe of yours and share it with them, or take your neighbours some delicious baked goods? If you are a more creative person, could you craft something handmade for friends and family? Did you spend lockdown making jams and preservatives which you could gift to others? Could you perform a song on Christmas day, write a poem or even make and write a heartfelt card? Everyone has something they can share with others, and although it may feel like a small gesture, can be so much more meaningful than a shop-bought present come Christmas Day.
• Connected to this is the idea of giving meaningful gifts that you know the person will use. It can be easy to panic and buy something material for the sake of it, but this can be very wasteful. So think about each person and what would be useful/ mean a lot to them. Gifts like photobooks, personalised maps and items with a purpose such as cooking ingredients or a bar of soap take on more of a meaning than quick-fix gifts and are less likely to stay unused and therefore be wasted. At this time when it is difficult to be together, a more thoughtful gift which shows someone you care would be a really nice way to reach out to friends and family you can’t physically see this year.

If you do want to buy something for someone because you’ve exhausted all your skills and they’ve had enough of your baking attempts, the following may be of interest …

• Beeswax Wrap Kit – a great alternative to plastic food wraps which create a lot of non-recyclable waste. As a kit, this would be great for the creative person in your life as you get to make the wraps yourself, adding a more personal element to your sustainable transition. With a variety of fabric patterns to choose from, these kits are really fun while bringing in a more environmentally sustainable element.
• Solid Cosmetics Products – for the rest and relaxation lover, make their routine a little more waste-free by opting for ‘naked’ products such as shampoo bars, bath bombs, soap and makeup products in packaging free-forms. Another great way of introducing less wasteful products into someone’s bathroom while they give themselves the pampering they deserve.
• Sustainable product kits – more of these are popping up (especially from small businesses, try Etsy and Not On The High Street), catering to many parts of your lifestyle including cleaning, skincare, kitchen and garden. A fab all-in-one gift for someone who wants to start becoming more sustainable in their lifestyle but isn’t quite sure how.

• Even if someone on your list has asked for something specifically, you can adapt where you shop to make that process a little less demanding on the planet. This year especially, small, independent shops and businesses need your support. If you are in a position too, check out shops local to you for gift ideas or to check items off your present list, as not only will you decrease the travel distance of your gifts and the amount of packing (often much higher in online orders), but you’ll be supporting your local community.
• Additionally, look out for brands that are making their own contributions to creating a more sustainable world. Support those who communicate how they are helping protect our environment and let your recipient know what they can do. For instance, businesses like The Body Shop have Refill & Recycle schemes and have partnered with Terracycle to combat the global plastic waste crisis. Let your gift recipient know how they can reuse their gift and sit back knowing your gift is working hard for the environment as well as spreading joy to someone.

I hope this post has given you some ideas for gifts that bring positivity to others as well as doing good for our planet. By applying a more sustainable mindset to your gift giving, you may find that your gifts take on a deeper meaning, as something handmade, purposeful and reusable can connect more with people, especially at this time when contact with loved ones is more difficult. Happy sustainable gifting! 🎁