Environmental gifts

[BonnesVacances]

I want to buy gifts this year to encourage people to switch to more environmentally friendly living. But I'm not really sure where to start. Any ideas?

If people already have the items then it is the total opposite of environmental

People who value this approach- will have them
Others wont use them and so a total waste of money and resource.

Preachy presents are not gifts.

I bought myself a fig tree that last summer & this has produced a large quantity of sweet fresh figs, planted in a pot outside my back door.

Both sisters have been dropping heavy hints so I will get them one each.

Fresh figs, no food miles, very healthy

Food items, the sort you wouldn't buy for yourself, but that you know the recipient likes. Not chocolate unless that's their thing, but eg cheese with quince paste parcel, or a v good fruitcake, or whatever it is they like. Is appreciated, used, and doesn't hang about afterwards. If you are living in a small flat then that's more valuable than anything!

But agree - reduce the present-buying circle if possible.

Maybe not quite what you were thinking but you could buy them a plot on a nature reserve. You can probably get a tree planted on it too I’ve not checked.

www.highlandtitles.com/

Seed bombs
Packets of seeds
Bug house for the garden
Wax wraps
Bath bombs (lots of places sell them not in plastic)
Bamboo socks

Reusable face cloths/makeup remover sponges were a hit last year. Home bargains as some sustainable gift ideas last I went, they had loads of stuff, bamboo hairbrush, toothbrushes, etc

The best thing for the environment is no presents. As an adult, I don't want loads of presents

This!

Homemade Cake
Cheese

Can someone enlighten me why bamboo socks are better per se than woollen or cotton socks?

If you have bit if time OP why not browse your locals charity shops for gifts? You can find all sorts of great things in there - from clothes to jewellery to books to home stuff.

My ‘gift’ to friends locally is often a jar of homemade mincemeat or some mince pies leading up Christmas ( not in uk so they can’t just buy one or ready made mince pies).

Seems to go down well as they have already mentioned if they can have again this year.

I've bought wax food wraps (the reusable ones) from Waitrose as stocking fillers. They are great, we are converts!
Also crocket/knit your own kitchen cloths kits, I'll try and find a link.

airedaleyarns.co.uk/index.php/kits/pure-cotton-washcloth-knitting-kit-and-optional-gift-bag.html

I've taken cuttings from my spider plant babies and another one (no idea what it's called) and I'm going to pot them up into classic cream pots that I'm gradually finding around charity shops. I thought that would be nice to give especially to people who are elderly or WFH to help improve their air quality as well as looking nice.

Pay a DD to a charity of their choice for 12 months? I might do this for one relative who i really struggle to buy for so that would be £60.

Oh I forgot, along with the plant I was going to make a variety of cakes/cookies that can go in the freezer so I can give a selection box of say 2 each of mince pies, choc muffins, brownies and gingerbread biscuits but they can put some in the freezer to have when they choose (unless they are greedy like me).

www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/sale?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0O6_2NK28wIVTJ7tCh2JTAsOEAAYASAAEgJ_FvD_BwE

therecycledcandlecompany.co.uk

These are great

Really the best bet is to ask what they want/need and get them that. Or a more environmentally friendly version of it. Apart from consumable stuff, there's a chance you might get them something they already have and that's not particularly environmental either.

@honeyisfunny

How about a nice book (second hand) with a lovely message inside? And a nice vegan treat to go alongside, with a paper bookmark

@honeyisfunny

A second hand book is a great idea. I have just bought one for a friend from here.
www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb

I use this website quite a lot. Keeps the cash away from Amazon (though I will probably later find out it is also owned by Mr Bezos!)

I've bought friends vintage wine glasses from junk shops and other an Edwardian sandwich plate set from a charity shop. I will be also giving big bowls of of forced bubs - Paperwhites, hyacinths and amarylis I've been collecting beautiful china and cut glass bowls to put them in from charity shops.

I think there might be less risk of coming over as preachy if you thought in terms of having a green Christmas yourself (including in terms of the gifts you buy) rather than trying to make other people greener.

The first step might be to tell people who usually buy you a gift that you’re trying to have a green Christmas so no presents please of if they really want to, could they give a giver to [charity of your choice] instead. Some might not want to, of course, but others might follow your example and say in return that they don’t want a gift.