With the holiday season just around the corner, we’re all scrambling to find the most unique presents for our friends and loved ones. We hear you! We’ve curated a list of 10 sustainable gift options for you this giving season. Your friends & family are sure to appreciate how thoughtful they are for them, and the planet!
1. Gift an experience
A present doesn’t always have to be physical or materialistic. Find an exciting local experience for your loved one to enjoy - a wine or food tasting, a tour around some heritage sites, that deep tissue massage they’ve been longing for. What about an art jamming session? An escape room experience? A cat cafe? How about a bungee jump? There are so many options to choose from! Good luck ;)
2. Upcycle something
The internet is full of wonderful ways to recycle old ‘useless’ things lying around the house. Do your research and have some fun giving these things a second life and making them useful. We’ve picked some ideas below!
3. Cook up a lavish dinner
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.. We’ve got so many recipes for you! - For the seafood lovers: check out our playlist here.
- For dessert lovers: how about a marmalade bread & butter pudding or a chocolate brownie?
- Moussaka anyone?!
- For the lovers of simple things: potato peel soup.
- For the vegans: love a scone?
- For those who want to go all out: Are you ready to take on this Japanese feast?
4. Volunteer
This may seem silly but it really is a humbling experience. Find volunteering opportunities near you and take your friends and family for a memorable experience helping those less fortunate than yourselves.
5. Make a donation in someone’s name
Making a donation to your favourite charity in someone’s name is a great way to remind your friends and family that the holidays are a time for giving back. Plus, nothing can substitue that feel-good factor!
6. A second-hand book, an e-reader, or an audio book
Give your favourite book a new fan by sharing it with someone special. Or get them membership to the local library so they can get on with that New Year’s resolution they’ve been sitting on forever! Or get them an e-reader so they can download e-books and magazines whenever they want! No e-readers available? Gift them audio books they can listen to on their smartphone!
7. Bicycle/Scooter
Sometimes the best present is showing someone the way forward. If your city or town is bike-friendly, consider gifting an eco-mode of transport such as a bicycle or scooter to friends and kids. It’s the healthier (and greener) way to get around, not to mention makes for a great New Year’s resolution!
8. Gift card
Gift cards are always a safe option. Your friend can choose what they want and when they want it, instead of letting an item you bought go unused. Other options include gift cards to popular online services like Spotify, Netflix, or Amazon Prime.
9. Swaps for plastic
Now there are a few ideas in this theme because there are so many things we can swap out for sustainable alternatives. Pick any/all of these to help someone along the journey of being more sustainable.
- Bamboo toothbrushes
- Eco-friendly razors
- Menstrual cups
- Water bottles (insulated ones are a game changer)
- Metal straws & other reusable cutlery
- This list goes on and on, but you get the idea!
10. Buy something that will last
If there's something in particular you know your friend or loved one really really wants, might as well make sure that the product will last a lifetime! Search for products and items with lifetime guarantees or warranty programs. There are even online shopping sites such as Buy Me Once that specialize in listing the most long-lasting and sustainable products available.
