Do you want to give your family and friends eco-friendly, ethical or responsible gifts this Christmas? We have ideas that will help you create or buy original, responsible gifts.
Christmas is a time of giving gifts. This is not an excuse to consume excessively, especially at a time when we need to be careful about our carbon footprints.
How is this Christmas consumerism compatible with a desire to live a sustainable life? There is no perfect way to consume responsibly. However, there are still ways to make Christmas more sustainable .
Many good ideas exist that allow you to enjoy the joy of exchanging Christmas gifts and keep the tradition alive without succumbing to the world of disposable and unconscious consumption. Here are 10 ideas that reflect this mindset.
Christmas Gift #1: Durable or ethical clothes
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA?
We all need to dress up and people want new clothes as they get older. We tend to shop from the same brands, which is often because they are financially strong enough to have physical stores at shopping centres or strong marketing budgets that allow them a strong presence on the media.
These brands are not always the most ethical and don’t give (perhaps because they don’t do it) information about sustainability of their stores and processes. Numerous studies have shown that the fashion industry has the highest levels of pollution in the world. There are many ethical and sustainable alternatives.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
There are many new brands that aim to disrupt the fast fashion model. These new brands offer clothing made from organic cotton and/or recycled fabrics. They also use sustainable production methods that are good for the planet and respect human rights. These brands are worth exploring if you don’t already know Patagonia and Klow. Panafrica and TOMS are all available online.
Christmas Gift #2 – Local Cultural Experience
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA.
Everyone enjoys going to a show, whether it is a concert, theatre, or stand-up comedy. Do a quick Google search to find out what your loved ones are interested in. You’ll be able to find interesting activities near you that you can attend with your family or friends.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND EETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
If you pick an event that is close to you, it might be possible to travel there by a more environmentally friendly transportation option such as the bus, train, or underground. Because some shows empower or empower the weak, you’ll be helping to support the local economy.
You’ll also be able to spend more time with your loved ones and share new experiences that will strengthen your relationships. We’re social beings, and experiences make us happier longer than material gifts.
Christmas Gift #3 – Food Gifts or Homemade Cosmetics
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA?
Everyone has a little bit of greed and we all need to look after ourselves, at least occasionally. It’s always nice to have a gourmet basket. You can also get creams and cosmetic products.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
Because it is homemade! It is made from homemade ingredients and avoids industrial products that are often overpacked with plastics or chemical additives. It’s great for Christmas! We know exactly what’s in it – (ideally) the local, sustainable ingredients we purchased.
This is also true for handmade cosmetics and soaps. You can share the experience with your children or friends, learn how to make it and discover the impact of the ingredients. It will allow you to explore your creativity and open up new hobbies.
Christmas gift #4 – A train or bus ticket for an original city trip
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA?
When there are so many beautiful and amazing places close to home, we often think about what the other side of it is. We can all agree that people love to travel, especially the youngest.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
These places are easily accessible by train or bus, which is a much more environmentally friendly way to travel than taking planes or cars. This way we don’t contribute to warming the atmosphere by emitting tons of CO2 and we give someone (or ourselves, if we choose to go on a joint trip), the chance to discover a new place, and hopefully meet new people.
Christmas Gift #5: A DIY Home Decorative Craft
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA?
It is always pleasing to have a beautiful decorative object. You can make many beautiful and unique items with just a little bit of time, creativity, and know-how. You can make a beautiful lamp with a bulb design or a table made of bread wood. Or you could use some hand-painted flower pots and ceramics.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND EETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
We can reuse materials that have been left behind in our homes, and we can also buy recycled materials or sustainably produced substances like glues, paints, or woods. These crafts are also handmade so we can avoid heavy polluting.
Christmas Gift #6 – An Eco-Friendly Or Gourmet Basket
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA.
We all have guilty pleasures, as we know. Some people love wine, while others prefer sweet and savory foods. There are many companies that make organic, sustainable, local, and high-quality products. These include biomimicry wines or 100% natural jams.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
Because it supports ecological sectors like organic agriculture, whose market must grow in order to increase production and make prices more affordable. You’ll also be supporting healthier products.
Christmas Gift #7 – A toy, game or decor object made of certified sustainable wood
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA?
Children are now flooded with plastic and other synthetic toys that can be harmful to their health. It would be wonderful if wooden toys and objects were reintroduced to fashion as “vintage” products. They are more durable and require fewer transformations, but they also have a higher resistance to damage and are often more natural and beautiful.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
Wood is one of the few 100% renewable resources. There are currently specific sectors that can certify sustainable forestwood which may be sold in your area. This is the kind of wood we support: wood from sustainably managed forests.
Christmas Gift #8 – Plants Or Gardening Accessories
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA?
People are becoming more conscious of the importance of being more sustainable and the increasing population moving to cities, there is a greater need to regain contact with nature. For those who live in apartments or areas lacking green space, plants can be a great way to encourage this connection with nature. It’s cool to garden . It improves our wellbeing and makes us think about the seasons and cycles of nature. The plants also help us become more environmentally conscious.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
Because plants possess all the virtues: They clean the indoor air and make people feel more relaxed.
Christmas Gift #9: A Great Book Made Of Certified Sustainable Paper
WHY Is IT A GOOD IDEA?
Because reading is an enjoyable experience. There are many books that cover a variety of topics, depending on what interests they have.
WHY IS IT A ECOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT?
Books are ecological objects by their very nature. Despite being made of paper, books are more eco-friendly than the technological equivalents (Kindles and reading tablets) that use highly polluting electronic parts.
Most important, books today are made from certified paper because consumers forced industry players to discuss this topic. If in doubt, check the first and last pages for logos and acronyms like PEFC or FSC. Attention, ECF acronyms are not always a guarantee that producers use a cleaner bleaching process and don’t produce harmful waste. They might also be using too much chlorine.
You don’t have to buy a brand new book. You can either give a book you already own with a special dedication, or you can purchase a second-hand copy from an online seller or physical exhange point. Reuse, reuse, reuse.
Christmas Gift #10: Why not buy anything?
Lastly, why not buy nothing? Seriously! Although Christmas is a time for giving gifts, it can also be a time for overconsumption. We often buy things we don’t need or want for others.
Giving our time, our love, and visiting our loved ones can make a wonderful gift. Sharing meaningful conversations and experiences, as well as sharing our time, is a great way to give our time. There are many ways to please others without succumbing to the temptation to overconsumption. Why not try to discover those that would be most pleasing to you?
Maybe your parents need some help with Christmas cooking, or your grandpas would love to tell the story of how they met. Your brothers would be crazy if you sang or played with them. It’s worth it! It’s easier to give happiness than any presents if others feel you care.
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