If you’re looking to reduce your impact on the planet (and stay on Santa’s good list) this festive season, try opting for sustainable gifts this Christmas.
Sustainable gifting means giving your loved ones non-material items. If you do purchase physical gifts, consider eco friendly, ethically sourced presents that they actually want or need, which won’t be left to collect dust.
We’ve put together a list of our favourite sustainable gifts to help get you started. When ticking off your Christmas list, try to support local and small businesses within your community.
Gifts for the home
There are some great alternatives in the market to traditional household items that your friends, family or Kris Kringle are sure to put to good use.
Here’s some handy household gift ideas that would look great under the Christmas tree:
- Stainless steel straws
- Reusable produce bags
- Reusable sponge cloths or compostable sponges
- Beeswax wraps (a great alternative to cling wrap)
- Stainless steel water bottle or lunch box
- Organic cotton face cloths or makeup remover pads
- Candles – a great way to cut back on electricity usage
Gifts for the garden
If you’re buying for the green thumb of the family, here’s a few gardening gift ideas that are sure to keep on giving:
- Potted indoor plant or succulent
- Selection of potted herbs or seeds
- Gardening tools - like wooden secateurs or a stainless-steel harvest basket
- Plant care – like plant food, fertilizer, or eco friendly pest spray
Gifts for coffee lovers
Keep your coffee loving friends happy (and caffeinated) this Christmas with sustainable, ethically sourced coffee goodies.
- Ethically-sourced coffee beans or a subscription to their favourite bean supplier
- A coffee machine – French presses and plungers come at great prices
- Keep cup – say goodbye to single use coffee cups
- Stainless steel reusable coffee pods – a great alternative to single use, plastic pods
Something personal
Get personal and reduce your waste this Christmas with non-material or personalised gifts – like an unforgettable experience or a gift voucher they’ll appreciate.
These gifts can also save you (and the environment) on the cost of gift wrapping:
- A subscription to their favourite magazine or streaming platform
- Gift cards to their favourite spots – like a restaurant, café, salon, bookstore, etc.
- An experience that they’ll never forget, like go-karting or a cooking class
- A donation on their behalf to their favourite charity
- Adopt an endangered animal on their behalf (there are some great charities supporting bushfire affected animals)
Gifts from Certified B Corps
This Christmas don’t just think about what you are buying, but where and who you are purchasing it from and consider buying gifts from a B Corp business. B Corps are organisations that proactively meet high standards of environmental performance, accountability and transparency. They balance people, profit, planet and purpose, striving for an economy that benefits all.
There are around 500 B Corp organisations in Australia, and you can use this directory to find a B Corp in Australia, and find out more about the B Corp movement. Look for the B Corp logo during the festive season, and know you are supporting a business that’s committed to having positive impact. You can read more about our B Corp accreditation here.
While checking businesses for certifications, you can look for ones provided by Fairtrade or Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), which are given to companies that adhere to fair labour standards. Many companies publish sustainability or impact reports, which can often provide insights into their environmental and social impacts. You can also look at the supply chain of a business to see if it is traceable and transparent.
How to wrap gifts sustainably
Did you know that your standard Christmas wrapping paper (the shiny, glittery kind) is made from microplastics that can’t be composted or recycled?
If you’re looking for a way to reduce your waste over Christmas, opting for sustainable wrapping materials is a big step.
Here’s a few ways to reduce your waste through sustainable gift wrapping:
- Wrap gifts with fabrics like napkins, scarves and even tea towels.
- Kraft paper is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. It also adds a rustic touch to your gift wrapping.
- Jazz your gift wrapping up with some twine and sprigs from the garden for that added Christmas feel.
- Use baskets and boxes from around the house to create a sustainable gift hamper or gift box.
- Used magazines and newspapers make for great wrapping paper and can go straight in the recycle bin after use.
