We all know that sometimes we give and receive unwanted gifts. There is a huge amount of waste produced, and it comes at an expense to our pockets and the planet.

Here are some tips on sustainable gift giving!

Regift!

We’ve all been there. The giver is well-meaning but the gift misses the mark! Here are some ideas for what you can do to stop them ending up in landfill.

In the past it has been frowned-upon to re-gift an unwanted present, but now that people are more aware of the huge problem of waste, it is becoming more acceptable.

We think it’s a great way to reduce waste. If you know the other person would really like the gift, then it’s a win for everyone and the planet too.

If you can’t think who would like it, you can always send your gift to a charity or give it away to friends and family. Much better than letting it gather dust or binning it.

Know the receiver

Giving good gifts often involves research especially if you’re not close to the person you’re buying for. If you can’t remember how old your niece or nephew is or what they’re in to, find out from their parents. Children’s interests often change quickly as they grow. If in doubt, ask for a suggestion.

If you can’t know the receiver because you’re doing Secret Santa, choose something that most people will appreciate or use, like chocolates, a mug, fancy tea/coffee, socks, a voucher, or a small charity donation.

Give money or gift cards!

Many think giving money or gift cards is unthoughtful but actually it’s less wasteful and the receiver can get something they really want. This works especially well for teenagers and children whose tastes change quickly. Many kids will appreciate having the choice.

Quality not quantity

Do they really need 5 or 15 or 25 parcels to unwrap? Do they really want that crazy Christmas scarf/t-shirt/hat/mug that will be hilarious for 10 minutes then end up with all the others in the loft or in the bin?

Choosing quality over quantity is a great way to avoid waste. Hold back and be thoughtful.

Sustainable gifting ideas

Experience gifts

Experience gifts are usually very low waste! There is a huge choice available from gifting companies or you can organise something special yourself. Book something you will both enjoy. A restaurant, a photo shoot, gig or theatre performance.

Experience gifts don’t need to be expensive. You could give a voucher for a massage, babysitting, a home-cooked meal or even car cleaning!

Eco gifts

Give plants, bulbs herbs, anything people can use for their garden.

Handmade gifts can be really special.

Make simple things like jars of ingredients with recipes, homemade candles, knitted items... there a lots of ideas on Pinterest, something for all skill levels.

Edible gifts are great and usually won’t go to waste!

Think about what it’s made of

Whilst shopping, always thing about the materials involved in the gift. Try to avoid plastics as these are harder to dispose off. Find organic, natural materials which. Search for organic food and drink or ones with certifications. Use recycled paper and FSC material.

Clothing made with recycled fabrics is a great option.

Shop Sustainable Brands

There are more and more sustainable retail brands to choose from. Include “sustainable” in your internet search and you’ll get plenty of hits. You can check their credentials by looking on their websites for certification as ethical, organic or zero waste.

Clothing from sustainable brands makes great gifts. An investment piece can last a lifetime, be beautiful and useful. Many brands have seasonal discounts or sample sales where you can get great bargains.

Shop Vintage

Charity shops can be full of giftable treasure. And there are more and more vintage shops appearing. Shopping second hand is a great way to be sustainable and gift unique and thoughtful gifts.

You can pick up fantastic clothing bargains if you take your time and look for good labels.

Vintage and charity shops are a great source of unusual and affordable homeware gifts.

Shop Local

Online shopping is easy but we think local Christmas shopping can be a lot more fun and festive! Buy from local, small businesses or get really Christmassy with a trip to a Christmas Craft Market in your town centre, school or place of worship.

Donation and adoption gifts

Give a gift of a donation to a charity that is important to the receiver. Send it on behalf of the person you’re giving the gift to and include a card explaining what you’ve done.

Adopt an animal. You could choose a local small charity that looks after animals or an international or world wide organisation.

Many charities offer lovely gifts that support the organisation. These can be really good for kids. The Worldwide Wildlife Fund is just one example.

Clever Sustainable Online Shopping

Plant trees as you shop! Well, let someone else do it for you! It’s always great to use websites like Ecosia to do your shopping online as they plant trees whilst you browse, off-setting your carbon footprint.

Sustainable gift wrapping

Furoshiki is the Japanese art of gift wrapping with fabric.

This is such a beautiful, sustainable form of gift wrap and the fabric itself can be part of the gift. You can buy a variety of patterns, prints and sizes of ready-made furoshiki wraps or make your own. There are online tutorials for easy ways to wrap specific shapes like books or wine bottles.

Reuse wrapping paper, keep wrapping paper or gift bags from previous gifts.

Print on brown paper or add dried leaves, twigs and dried fruits with rope or ribbon.

Use old books, newspapers, music sheets magazines as wrapping paper.

Ditch plastic sticky tape and use eco Japanese paper washi tape, biodegradable brown paper tape or use ribbons to wrap and fasten.

We hope this gives you some ideas on how to do sustainable gift giving!

Sustainable Gift Giving Checklists

Gift Ideas

Find things to re-gift
Give experiences including paid-for and free things you can do
Money and gift cards
Plants, bulbs, herbs, other garden stuff
Make gifts (check Pinterest)
Edible gifts like chocolates, alcohol, fancy soft drinks, sweets, cheese, nuts
Vintage clothing
Vintage homeware or books.
Adopt an animal
Give a charity gift

Choosing Gifts Checklists

Know the receiver
Choose something edible or useful for Secret Santa gifts
Go for quality not quantity
Think about what it’s made of
Shop sustainable brands
Shop vintage
Shop local
Shop Christmas Markets
Use websites like Ecosia to help the planet while you browse
Use sustainable wrapping

Organic September is raising awareness of the incredible benefits of organic farming. It is extremely beneficial for the climate nature and our health. It encourages people to produce and consume organic products.

Organic farming promotes ecological balance of the natural resources and prevents consumption of harmful chemicals and protects the wildlife and environment.

Here are some tips for being more organic:

- Join an organic community

This will help with research and finding out information on where to buy products and be supported by like minded people. There are many Facebook groups and local community groups you can join. You can sign up to organisations that send out emails on sustainable living. Some places do community vegetable boxes that are grown by locally

- Grown your own vegetables

The best way to be organic and to know there are no chemicals and pesticides on your produce, is to start growing your own. Start off small with something easy to grow. You can use peat free compost and pollinator plants. It’s also a great idea to start a compost bin to add nutrients to your soil, and also install a water butt bin to capture rain water to water your garden. This saves on water using the hosepipe.

- Organic beauty
Try look out for the soil association symbol on beauty and wellbeing products to make sure you’re supporting small businesses that don’t test on animals and don’t use controversial chemicals parabens and phthalates, synthetic dyes or fragrance. Natural organic products are always better for your health and the environment.

There are also cleaning products and household products that have cruelty free logos and less chemicals.

- Your choices count
We have the power to change the food system by what we purchase and what we grow and cook. We can all make positive choices that help make a difference.

- Support local
Supporting your local community is a great way to help local small businesses grow and get organic home grown produce without the carbon footprint.

- Organic on a budget
There are great food waste places that save food from going to landfill. These outlets offer some great organic produce and as it’s usually available in bulk, plastic packaging is kept to a minimum. Growing food from seed is also a cheaper option. You can always regrow food ends like celery in water to make them go further. Look out for cheap wonky fruit and veg or produce that is past or close to it’s best before date.

- Eat with the seasons
These is a great way of getting the tastiest produce at the right time of year. It also reduces food miles from the field to your plate.

- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The best way to be zero waste with shopping is to bring your own grocery bags.
There are also many zero waste refill shops where you can take your own containers to fill up with produce and save money too.

- Find joy in nature
Go walking outside, go forest bathing, be at one with nature this is great for your body and mind.

- Start eating less meat or become vegan
This is the single greatest thing you can do to dramatically lower your carbon footprint and live a healthier lifestyle packed with fruit and vegetables.

- Organic fashion

Buying clothing with organic fibres is beneficial for you, the people who harvested the materials, and the workers that made your clothes, as it is not grown with pesticides and chemicals, which can have a harmful effect on the skin, environment and local wildlife.

Choose natural organic fibres from sustainable designers or second hand shops.

Joining in with Organic September is a great introduction to living a more organic lifestyle. We hope this inspires you to develop and keep these habits.