The holidays are a time of giving, but that doesn’t mean you have to participate in its excess. This season is notoriously known for how materialistic it can get, and oftentimes holiday joy comes at the significant cost of the planet’s wellbeing. While an individual isn’t the cause of this, it’s important to support businesses that pay it forward to the planet with sustainable practices.
Here’s our guide to staying sustainable during this holiday season. It’s not just plant soaps and soy milk (though they’re still great gifts!), there are plenty of great gifts one can give to someone that is both thoughtful and sustainable. Whether it’s stylish organic clothing or a pack of high-quality seeds, sustainable gifts can still be amazing.
The Cost of Christmas
Holidays are a blast, but sometimes all the things we buy end up causing a lot of waste. The driving force behind the planet’s ills is still the corporations of course, but that doesn’t mean individual change is worthless. Living a sustainable lifestyle encourages others to put more thought into what they purchase.
This means more people support businesses that follow an eco-friendly philosophy. Over time, this hopefully leads to real change as people are aware of the cost of materialism. That said, there are other reasons to go sustainable with gifts than just ethical considerations.
Why Sustainability Is Good For Gifts
Quality and Durability
Sustainable gifts often mean better quality. They're built to last, which means you're giving something that won't break or wear out quickly. That's a win for the person receiving it, and every time they look at that soft vegan leather bag, they’ll think “Wow, I can’t believe that thing’s still around” and appreciate you for it.
Healthier Living
Some sustainable gifts focus on natural, non-toxic materials. That means fewer harmful chemicals in everyday items, which is better for the health of the person using them. Whether that’s the hoodie you wear or the hygiene products you use, sustainable materials are typically far healthier than factory-made.
Supporting Ethical Practices
Choosing sustainable gifts often means supporting companies that care about fair wages, good working conditions, and ethical manufacturing such as biodegradable protective mailers. Making a positive impact with your purchase can help create positive change in the world.
Cost-Effectiveness
In the long run, sustainable products save you a lot more money. They're durable and sometimes energy-efficient, which means spending less on replacements or utility bills. They have to be effective for the cost because they don’t have the same luxuries that factory-made products have. The old saying is true — you get what you pay for, and when you invest in quality, it might last a lot longer than something you have to buy over and over again.
Unique and Thoughtful
Sustainable gifts often have a unique flair. They're not your run-of-the-mill presents; they're thoughtful and show you've put some extra care into choosing something special for the person. It’s also a lot better than just buying whatever generic trend is out there. Make a statement with slogan shirts like “Delete Meat” or “Dairy is Scary.”
Things to Consider When Buying Gifts
Where Stuff Comes From
When choosing gifts, look for things made from good materials or stuff that's made in a way that doesn't hurt the Earth. That means avoiding harmful plastics or toxic materials. On a grander note, look into the companies that make a gift you’re looking to get.
Are they confirmed to be cruelty-free? How much damage have they done to their planet with their factories? These are simple questions that you need to ask yourself when buying anything special.
Make it Last
Think about gifts that will stick around for a long time. This way, we won't need to toss them out after a short while, which is way better for the planet. Luckily, a lot of sustainably manufactured products are durable, often due to the fact that they can’t be as easily replaced as factory-made stuff.
Easy on the Packaging
Try to go for gifts that don't have a lot of wrapping or ones that have wrapping that we can recycle easily. Less wrapping means less trash. More practically, it’s also a lot less hassle. Making things a surprise is great, but wrapping stuff up can be a pain, especially during the holidays.
Get Stuff People Will Use
Nobody likes getting gifts that end up collecting dust. Sure, it’s sustainable, and lasts a long time, but it’s pointless if the person you’re giving it to has no use for it. Try to pick presents that people need or will love using. That way, they won't just sit around being forgotten.
Ask The Person Directly
Seriously, it’s an underrated practice to just ask people what they want for the holidays. Unless it’s a big surprise, most people would rather know they’re getting something they want. Don’t leave it to a roll of the dice. Just ask them what things they want for Christmas, and see if there’s a sustainable way to acquire them.
Great Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas
Eco-Friendly Clothes
You can look stylish and be eco-friendly too! Clothes made from good materials or made by recycling old stuff are awesome choices. They reduce waste, support green businesses, and most importantly, look cool. Plant-Faced Clothing has a wide selection of plant-based shirts for vegans to peruse.
Reusable Kitchen Stuff
Imagine replacing plastic utensils with cool bamboo ones, swapping out regular straws for stainless steel ones, or using wraps made from beeswax instead of plastic wrap. These things are kind to the Earth and super handy!
Plants or Grow Kits
Adding a bit of green indoors is a great idea! Potted plants or kits to grow seeds not only make rooms look nicer but also help keep the air clean. Make sure to personalize the plants to whatever their favourite is, if they have any favourites at all.
Unique Handmade Gifts
There's something special about gifts that are made from old stuff or created by hand. They're unique and show that you put thought and care into choosing something special.
Final Thoughts
Sustainable gifts shouldn’t be seen as a limitation on what you can buy. Instead, think of it as what you should have always been doing in the first place. It allows you to put more thought into the products you buy, and communicate that care to a loved one. Ethics and a fun gift aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, making them go hand-in-hand is a very special gift indeed.
