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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Eco gifts

35 replies

clpsmum · 14/09/2021 15:34

My 10yr old son wants to make up Christmas eco gifts bags this year but I'm a bit stuck as what to put in them so looking for any suggestions.

So far we have a reusable cup, a solid shampoo bar and a bamboo toothbrush. All suggestions welcomed!!

OP posts:
CoffeeChocolateWine · 14/09/2021 15:58

Reusable beeswax food wraps?

mumonthehill · 14/09/2021 16:02

Homemade seed bomb or packet seeds. You can also make seed pots out of newspaper which look lovely.

Pissinthepottyplease · 14/09/2021 16:10

Who are the gifts for?

Pissinthepottyplease · 14/09/2021 16:11

Remember people should be reducing, reusing then recycling. So you should be only putting things people actually will want.

Original poster
clpsmum · 14/09/2021 16:11

Great idea I will google the seedbombs now. The gifts are for two teachers, a babysitter and aunt and uncle

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AuntieStella · 14/09/2021 16:15

Ethical brand chocolate bars in fully recyclable wrapping.

Check out the Traidcraft catalogue - they are first and foremost a fair trade company but have expanded their eco/natural product lines

www.naturalcollection.com/shop/traidcraft/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsI38veD-8gIVAeh3Ch1aKw2KEAAYAiAAEgLwofD_BwE

AuntieStella · 14/09/2021 16:17

Sorry - thus is the main Traidcraft site (the other has only some of their lines)

www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

onetwothreeadventure · 14/09/2021 16:36

Tony's (or equivalent) chocolates/beer, reusable cup, eco soap or laundry powder, fairtrade coffee

Original poster
clpsmum · 14/09/2021 16:40

Thanks everyone some great ideas

Does anyone have any fair trade coffee recommendations?

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HungryHippo11 · 14/09/2021 16:45

Have a look at Babipur they have loads of stuff - eco friendly and fair trade.
Ideas: organic cotton socks, coconut scourers (these are amazing!), seedboms, Tonys Chocolonely

Code BUDDY for 10% off

Anoisagusaris · 14/09/2021 16:50

Also look at local producers and markets. Not much point choosing a bar soap that travels hundreds or thousands of miles to get to you.

NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 14/09/2021 16:52

I'd lose the reusable cup. Everyone has one already, especially teachers!

villamariavintrapp · 14/09/2021 16:56

Honestly, it's a nice idea, but unless it's things that someone will actually want, then it isn't actually very ecological. Everyone does already have reusable cups. And I'm not sure about a toothbrush and shampoo bar as presents. I use an electric toothbrush, so a bamboo one would be useless for me, and I've tried shampoo bar and didn't really get on with it, think it's quite a personal choice?

HungryHippo11 · 14/09/2021 16:56

@NigelSlatersXmasTaters

I'd lose the reusable cup. Everyone has one already, especially teachers!
I would probably agree with this TBH. Most people have a bamboo toothbrush these days too but at least they need to be replaced regularly so they'll be used eventually.
Bagstolen · 14/09/2021 17:02

We were given bamboo toothbrushes that sit unused too as have electric . Almost all presents feels quite redundant to me though as I need to declutter , so I prefer edible gifts as feel bad at any more waste. It’s so tricky to think of things I find !

AuntieStella · 14/09/2021 17:53

@clpsmum

Thanks everyone some great ideas

Does anyone have any fair trade coffee recommendations?

Lots of coffees and teas here, and I got my coffee from them for years

www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/drink

I recommend the rich roast, and the Eat Your Hat looks nice as a gift

HasaDigaEebowai · 14/09/2021 17:56

Organic cotton socks are not eco friendly.

Original poster
clpsmum · 14/09/2021 18:00

Thanks for tour replies and ideas everyone. He's only ten and suddenly became very aware so trying to encourage him and he's enjoying researching everything.

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SarBear1980 · 14/09/2021 18:24

So nice to hear young people thinking consciously @clpsmum As a teacher I’d say we have so many reuseable coffee cups but never enough coffee!! A big jar of Fairtrade coffee or a lovely voucher for an independent local coffee shop would be very well received 😊

Tomatalillo · 14/09/2021 18:29

Organic cotton socks are not eco friendly.

How so HasaDigaEebowai I agree that it’s not ideal due to personal preference, size etc, but otherwise?

Original poster
clpsmum · 14/09/2021 18:33

@SarBear1980 phew I've just ordered a few jars so glad that will be appreciated!

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DirtyBlonde · 14/09/2021 18:35

Shampoo bar might not be to everyone's liking, but you could get bar soap?

HasaDigaEebowai · 14/09/2021 18:36

Cotton is in general a poor eco choice in terms of climate change plus It takes massive amounts of water. It has a high carbon footprint.

Bamboo is a far better choice for the environment. Very fast growing and sustainable plus the processes of turning it into a fabric are less damaging for the environment

HasaDigaEebowai · 14/09/2021 18:39

How about a solar phone charger? He could make sock dish scrubbers (google its a fun activity for kids), zero plastic toothpaste tabs, reusable make up remover pads..

Original poster
clpsmum · 14/09/2021 18:41

@HasaDigaEebowai I'm heading to google now it sounds fab

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