The holiday season is a time for giving, but it’s also a time when consumption skyrockets, and the environmental impact of our choices can be significant. From wrapping paper to plastic ornaments, the traditional trappings of Christmas often leave a hefty carbon footprint. This year, why not make a conscious decision to gift greener? Choosing sustainable gifts not only supports the environment but also fosters deeper, more thoughtful connections with your loved ones. Here are some ideas to help you embrace a more eco-friendly Christmas:
1. Choose Experiences over Stuff
Instead of giving physical gifts that may go unused or end up in landfills, consider giving experiences that create lasting memories.
- Concert tickets, theater passes, restaurant gift cards, allow loved ones to enjoy something special, without contributing to material waste.
- Other fun ideas include, cooking or art classes, or adventure experiences like a snowshoe excursion or a weekend getaway together, provide unique moments that are cherished long after the event.
- A brewery tour or wine tasting at a local winery or brewhouse.
- Subscription services like a year-long membership to a museum, streaming platform, or audiobook service offer enjoyment without unnecessary packaging.
By gifting experiences, you’re helping to reduce the demand for mass-produced goods, while encouraging meaningful moments over material possessions.
2. Choose to Shop with Artisans and Small Businesses
Nothing beats the personal touch of a handmade gift. By supporting local artisans or small businesses, you’re not only giving a unique present but also investing in your community. Whether it’s a locally made candle, a handcrafted piece of jewelry, or a homemade jar of jam, local honey, these gifts are often made with care and minimal waste.
Additionally, many artisans embrace sustainable practices—using eco-friendly materials, low-impact production methods, or reducing packaging waste all while limiting shipping when it’s something made locally. And if you are a baker, cook, or artisan yourself, gifting your own creations is the perfect gift.
3. Sustainable Toys and Gifts for Kids
When it comes to children’s gifts, sustainability is often an afterthought. But the market for eco-friendly toys has grown, offering alternatives to plastic and mass-produced options.
- Wooden toys or those made from organic, non-toxic materials are durable and often last longer than plastic toys. We love The Playful Peacock and The Village Toy Shop.
- Upcycled or secondhand gifts, such as gently used books, board games, or vintage toys, can be both nostalgic and sustainable. If there is something a child collects (aka. wooden trains), you can purchase more pieces to add to their collection.
- DIY kits—from craft sets to science experiments—encourage creativity and can be more eco-friendly than factory-made items.
- Secondhand Video Games make fantastic gifts. Know a child with a vintage game console? or one who loves video games in all forms? Opt for secondhand.
- Classic board games. You can buy the new or secondhand.
When shopping for kids, choosing items that are educational, long-lasting, and non-toxic can contribute to both environmental sustainability and the well-being of the child.
4. Sustainable Fashion: Clothing with Purpose
If you’re gifting clothing, think about sustainability. Fast fashion has a massive environmental impact, from pollution to waste, so consider these options instead:
- Eco-friendly slow fashion brands: Look for companies that use organic cotton, recycled materials, or that have fair labor practices. There are likely many local to where you live. A few of our faves include: Free Label, Hernest Project, Connally Goods, Nettles Tale, and Buttercream Clothing, to name a few.
- Vintage or secondhand clothing: Thrift stores and online secondhand shops are treasure troves of unique finds. From brand new cotton PJ’s to cozy wool sweaters, gifting beautiful, quality clothing can be affordable when thrifting. Just be sure to clean before gifting.
- Personalized items: A custom-made scarf or sweater from a local maker, or something that’s handmade or upcycled, can make for a meaningful and sustainable gift. If you are someone with a knitting or sewing skill set, don’t shy away from gifting something you have made. Those can be cherished heirloom items that get passed down.
5. The Gift of Greenery: Plants and Garden Kits
Plants are beautiful, living gifts that continue to give long after the holiday season. A houseplant or succulent can brighten up a home, improve air quality, and be a constant reminder of the giver’s thoughtfulness.
Alternatively, you could gift a gardening kit, perfect for those with a green thumb. Kits for growing herbs, vegetables, or flowers can encourage a connection to nature and sustainability. For those with limited space, a windowsill herb garden or indoor plant can be a perfect fit. Seeds also make a wonderful gift. A packet or two of seeds and a beautiful watering can would make a gardener’s green heart flutter. West Coast Seeds are our choice.
6. Thrift It
Gifting secondhand items is not the taboo thing it once was. Many folks are realizing the incredible things to be found on the shelf of a thrift store and that those items feel much more special than the generic mall finds. A few ideas to get you started…
- A vintage casserole dish or baking pan with one of your favourite recipes handwritten on a pretty recipe card.
- A beautiful vase filled with an arrangement or greenery you put together.
- Records for the music lovers.
- Gardening books and cookbooks. There are so many lovely options in this section of the thrift shop.
- Holiday themed items like linen napkins or ceramic candle holders. You could include some local, artisan candles to go with them.
- Coffee mugs or teacups accompanied with their favourite home brew.
For more gifting thrift inspiration, see our Merry Thriftmas article.
The Christmas season doesn’t have to be a time of excessive consumption and waste. By opting for greener, more sustainable gift ideas, you can reduce your carbon footprint, support ethical businesses, and make more meaningful, long-lasting connections with your loved ones.
From handmade items to charitable donations, there are plenty of ways to make your gifts as thoughtful for the planet as they are for the recipient. Gifting greener this Christmas is a simple way to show that you care about both the people in your life and the world around you. —Jen Pistor
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