As the holiday season draws near, people start to think about gifts for loved ones and for group gatherings. Unfortunately, the reckless consumerism prevalent during the winter holidays wreaks havoc on the environment. There are options, however for gift giving that have less impact on the planet and may even benefit it.
Some factors to consider when gifting green are 1) if the person will use it, 2) if the gift itself is eco-friendly, and 3) if the person actually wants it. Some thing to note is that these gifts may take time to gather. Oftentimes you can’t just run to the nearest store and have the first thing one the shelf be a green gift. Unfortunately, sustainable options are not that prevalent.
Here is a list of ten sustainable gift ideas for the winter holidays:
- Experiences
The joy of gift giving without needing a physical product. Some examples are tickets to the botanical gardens, to the art museum, a vegan cooking class, or even a nice meal!
2. Money
This one is my personal favorite. Money gives the recipient the option to spend it however they like whether it be a nice dinner, rent, a new gadget, etc.
3. Gift Cards
Oftentimes, people like to personalize a gift beyond cash in an envelope. With this present, the giftee still has an amount of freedom to how they can spend the money. There are also options for e-gift cards that reduce the need for a plastic card.
4. Food/ Drinks
I’m a huge foodie, and so I especially love trying new foods! Consumable gifts are a great way to ensure the gift gets used. If you make the food item at home, you also have more control over what goes into the recipe and how it is packaged. You can spruce it up by arranging it in a thrifted basket/ container.
5. Green household item
Fragrant hand soaps and beauty products are already common gift items. Why not gift green alternatives? Whether it’s package-free soap bars, a reusable water bottle, or , these household items are sure to see lots of love.
6. Secondhand gifts
Giving new life to pre-loved items is a great way to gift green. Some examples are books, mugs, home décor, and picture frames (with a treasured picture inside!)
7. Local gifts
My boyfriend’s mom loves the 100% soy candles that a local artist creates in thrifted tea cups and mugs. Shopping local helps to keep the money in the community and support local jobs. Bonus for a local business that has sustainable products or business practices.
8. Personally upcycled gifts
Especially if you’re a crafty person, you can create a whole new gift using materials that would’ve otherwise been thrown away. Some options are cooking aprons (made from secondhand fabric) and custom shaped crayons (made by melting old crayon scraps into fun molds).
9. Products made from repurposed materials
You don’t have to create an upcycled gift on your own. There are options from toys made from recycled/ natural materials to jewelry made from recycled sea glass.
10. A quality product with a long lifespan
Sometimes the recipient just wants a nice new pair of shoes or a new kitchen gadget. Finding a quality item that remains out of the landfill for as long as possible is a great green gift option.
While I do remember a Christmas where the hot gifts were Webkinz stuffed animals, both my immediate and extended family primarily gifted money for the holidays. As a Chinese American celebrating Christmas with my primarily Chinese extended family, red envelopes (hongbao) holding money were common presents. The cash allowed us to purchase whatever gift we wanted! I have a cousin who oftentimes, in addition to gifting money, wrapped a box of sweets so we still had a physical gift to open.
There are copious amounts of green options and alternatives that can still fill the winter season with joy. Sustainability still has a home during the holidays!