Give sustainably this holiday season
Oh deer, Christmas is here! Looking for sustainable ways to enjoy the festive season? Say snow more. We produce more waste at Christmas time than during any other time of the year. This year, why not deck the halls with gift ideas that won’t end up in landfill?
The hierarchy of sustainable gifts
Get inspired with these minimum-waste gift ideas.
Buy less
Do you really need to buy a present for everyone? Consider organising a secret santa with friends and family so you end up receiving one really special gift each, instead of lots of small packaged token gifts. This also saves time and money!
Gift experiences
Experiences make the most unforgettable gifts, providing loved ones with an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone or develop new skills. While skydiving may not be for everyone, cooking courses, dinner vouchers, spa days and weekends away are all winning ideas.
Search for secondhand
One person's trash is another person's treasure! Opportunity shops are full of hidden gems while there are plenty of online shopping sites that make it easy to search for specific second-hand items. It's cheaper than buying brand new and you’ll be sure to find something truly unique for those people who have everything!
Make your own
Making a gift is a great opportunity to show off (or practice) your skills, and the time dedication involved shows you really care. Make something that will be appreciated and used by the receiver to avoid the materials going to waste. Some ideas include preserves and baked goods, home-brewed beer or kombucha, beeswax wraps, propagating your own plants, coffee scrubs and natural skincare, or framing your own artwork or photography.
Shop local
Shopping locally can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your purchases. Not only can you ensure higher quality gifts, but you can reduce carbon miles and the risk of modern slavery in the supply chain. You might even hear your local shop owner singing jingle bells all the way home, because you’ve supported their local business.
Last resort: give ethical
If you really need to buy new and can’t get it locally, do your best to buy ethical. This requires research into where products are made, what materials have been used, and how their workers have been treated. Look for products made from recycled, durable materials that have been produced with low environmental impact. A B Corp certification is a reliable certification to look for, with online stores like Goodsmiths providing one-stop-shops for certified gifts.
Other tips
- Reuse old wrapping paper or gift bags, or get crafty with newspaper, some secondhand ribbon or even some old linen.
- Use existing decorations or make some new ones out of secondhand materials.
- Send email cards instead of buying paper ones.
Instead of making it rein with decorations and gifts this Christmas, think about what you already have and only buy what you need. The Sustainability Team wishes everyone a very happy holiday season, with minimum waste and maximum joy!