10 Sustainable & Fair Christmas Gift Ideas
Looking for sustainable & fair Christmas gift ideas this year? Let yourself be inspired by this practical list of gift ideas that don’t cost the Earth.
I believe we’ve all experienced the following scenario:
You get tons of Christmas presents, wrapped up in layers and layers of packaging. At first, it feels exciting to be unwrapping all of these gifts. But later, you find yourself disappointed, because, honestly, you don’t need half of the things you’ve received! They are either redundant, don’t fit you, or become forgotten very soon, anyway. We find ourselves accumulating all sorts of things, generating more and more waste.
Why not try something different this Christmas?
Here are 10 suggestions for sustainable & fair Christmas gift ideas that don’t cost the Earth, and still bring joy to the recipient!
According to Gary Chapman, the author of The Five Love Languages, each person has a different way of receiving love and appreciation. For someone, it means the world when you help them with something they have trouble with. Others will appreciate it most when you simply hug them or spend quality time with them. Another person will feel loved when you make them a special gift or if you say a word of encouragement, for example.
Of course, there is no one and only way in which you can express your appreciation for a person. But before you head out shopping for gifts next time, stop to reflect on what really makes your loved ones happy. And often, you will come to surprising conclusions!
Whatever it is that you want to give away this Christmas, it doesn’t need to bring damage to the earth or the people producing it. And it can even save you a lot of money!
Let yourself be inspired by this list of 10 sustainable Christmas gift ideas.
1. Time
If you’ve come to the conclusion that your loved one appreciates quality time with you the most, why not give the gift of time?
This could be in the form of a voucher for the cinema, the theatre or a concert. It could be meeting at their favourite café (once they re-open…).
Or it could simply be a cozy tea time at home – especially in times of the Corona pandemic! The possibilities are endless.
2. Second-hand books
You have that perfect book in mind for somebody. Why not buy it second-hand? Amazon has lots of second-hand books in offer. And often, they haven’t even been used or look like they are new!
Bonus tip: gift someone an eco-themed book this year. Here’s a list of my personal favourites.
3. Reusable mugs
A coffee-to-go doesn’t need to come in throw-away cups. There are chic, beautiful-looking, reusable alternatives. And an increasing number of coffee shops is offering the possibility of filling the coffee in your own brought mug. Make somebody the gift of a reusable mug this year. This could save 260+ cups from entering the landfill every year!
4. Gifts with a difference
If you know somebody who cares about the Earth a lot, this could be the right gift for them…
‘Gifts with a difference’ are a wide variety of “products”, that, when you purchase, have a positive impact on the environment & surrounding communities. This could be a fuel-efficient cook-stove for a Ugandan family, fruit trees planted in Peru, hands-on nature lessons in the Lebanon or beehives for a community in Kenya, to name just some examples.
Each order comes with a beautiful, free card to remind your loved one of the difference made in their name.
The gifts are brought to the people by the environmental organisation A Rocha. Have a look at their shop to purchase a gift that will make a real difference for people and the planet!
Photo from A Rocha
5. Home-made cookies
Really simple, but delicious: make somebody happy with a bunch of home-made, beautifully wrapped cookies.
6. Soap
Soap as a more sustainable substitute for shampoo or shower gel could also make an ideal gift. It’s something very useful and pretty. This helps save a lot of unnecessary plastic waste, too. And if you’re into experimenting yourself, try to make your own soap! It’s not hard at all and it enables you to customize your gift. There are many tutorials around the web showing you how to do this.
Photo by Viktor Forgacs
7. Help
Your spouse, sibling or child has their favourite clothing item lying around for ages already with the need to be repaired? Or their laptop/bike etc. needs some care? Have it repaired for them in secret. Or, if you know how to do it yourself, surprise them with the item repaired and looking all new again by Christmas!
As an alternative, give somebody a personal voucher offering to clean their shoes, help them with their homework, repair their dishwasher, bring the car to the mechanic, sew new buttons on their jacket… – whatever it is that they need help with or that you’re skilled at.
8. Fair trade products
We all know at least one passionate chocolate or coffee lover. If you’re looking for some good coffee, chocolate bars or pralinés to give away, make sure you buy them ‘fair trade‘.
The same applies to gold, silver and other jewelry. When you buy fair trade certified products, smallholder farmers and miners are paid better and stable prices. Uncertified producers can often barely make a living off their income, and child labour in farms or mines is common. That’s not at all what Christmas should be about!
So, make somebody happy with an ethically sourced product. One where both the producer and the recipient of your gift will have a benefit.
9. Regional products
The idea of ‘fair trade’ doesn’t end in developing countries. Many smallholder farmers in the developed world don’t earn enough for their produce, too. Why not visit a local farmer’s market or shop and find some local & organic specialties for your loved ones?
10. DIY socks
Wool socks are always a good idea in the winter season. Have you ever tried knitting socks yourself? Selfmade socks last longer and can even be repaired in case they get holes one day! That’s a Christmas gift that brings long-lasting joy and doesn’t cost the Earth.
Which of these gift ideas have you already tried? Which are you planning to use? Do you have a tradition of giving Christmas gifts?
Thank you so much for reading!
Thanks for this helpful list of ideas, will definitely try out some of them this Christmas! I especially liked the idea of having something repaired for someone – a gift doesn’t necessarily need to be “new” to make someone smile.
I’m glad this was helpful to you! So true, new doesn’t necessarily mean better and more valuable 😉