Low carbon Christmas present ideas

[StrongLegs]

Hi,

I wondered if anybody might have good ideas for Christmas presents that don't increase our carbon footprint and fill the house with stuff that takes up space and isn't used?

I wondered if the best thing would be to just buy things we need like clothes and duvet covers and kitchen utensils, and wrap those, so we have something to unwrap. Maybe I could wrap the Christmas pudding and the crackers??

One time I bought us all pillows for our beds and wrapped those, and that was epic looking on Christmas morning.

This year I've also bought some nice seeds so we can all have something interesting to grow in the coming winter/spring. Mostly cacti so they can grow indoors in winter.

ds likes computer games, but he downloads those, which makes them hard to wrap.

@ConfusedBear it's funny you mention it, but dh has just asked for the piano to be repaired, so that's his Christmas sorted. :-) I won't even have to gift wrap it.

Maybe I could write a little Christmas tune that we could all play? That would be nice, and also not need gift wrapped.

A bit cliché, but how about vouchers? Personalised ones like making them a favourite meal, or doing an activity they enjoy with them, or (e.g. for your DS) buying him a game of his choice. You could always write them on card or something, then you'd be able to wrap them up.

You're way over thinking this.

If your husband wants electrical components or whatever for Christmas, get it. They will be used, so what's the problem? Better than getting him a spatula.

Your son likes games, get him game vouchers so he can buy one in the future.

Buying someone something they get no pleasure out of or will use much, like kitchen utensils, is the complete opposite of what you're trying to do. It's also highly boring for those opening them. Just buy them what they want, doesn't have to be a big present.

I actually think I'm all sorted now, but if people would like to keep chatting then please do carry on with the thread.

I might pop off now. Thank you very much for all of your comments. Very much appreciated. :-)

We have slashed gift exchange with adults but there are a couple of people who will ask what I would like. I'm going to ask for Bosh (the vegan cook book) and a book on growing food vertically, so we can start growing our own salad and herbs. So, footprint in the gift, but an investment in reducing footprint long term.

It's great that you're sorted now.

Another good thing about having something repaired is that it takes a task off the other person's list. They don't have to do the work of finding out how to either get something fixed or dispose of it safety.

Each get a ton of paint or a dust sheet etc and spend the week between Xmas and new year doing up a room in your house together with the radio on - then you all get to enjoy the result?

(Ton = tin and obviously you'd have to agree this in advance and all be on board).