Sustainable gift guide
There's a difference between gift GIVING and gift BUYING. We love to give to those we love but that doesn't necessarily have to equate to purchasing something.
Meaningful gift giving will be remembered.
Every year, Australians spend hundreds of millions of dollars on unwanted Christmas presents.
Below are some Christmas gift ideas that will be appreciated by your loved ones and the planet.
Gift an experience
Gift vouchers for the things your loved ones will appreciate such as movies, restaurants and beauty treatments?
Pay a professional for lessons in
- Golf, tennis, surfing and other sports
- Musical instruments
- Drawing, painting, gardening, furniture restoration and other creative workshops
Gift something green
Gift a plant. Outdoor, indoor, a herb garden. It’s the gift that keeps on giving
Gift a donation
For the person who already has everything, spend less on stuff and give to a worthy cause. Donate all or part of what you would spend on a gift to a charity you know your loved one supports.
Gift your time
Your presence could be the gift itself particularly for your older loved ones.
Gift your time by
- A big day out on a scenic drive, picnic, trip to a museum
- A helping hand. Washing cars, mowing lawns, walking dogs
- Free babysitting.
Gift what you’re good at
Sewing, painting, carpentry, cooking, flower arranging. Get creative and gift something special.
Gift pre-loved
It doesn’t have to be shiny and new. There is a treasure trove of pre-loved items begging for a new owner in op-shops and Council Buy-Back Centres.
Wrapping your gifts
Where possible, better environmental wrapping options include brown paper, scarves and t-towels. (Fun fact – op shops often have a fantastic range of scarves in excellent condition)
Hang on to paper wrapping paper, gift boxes and tags and reuse as much as possible.
Cellophane is often made from plastic and rarely survives for a second use so look for alternatives.