‘Tis the season. The decorations are up and if the Christmas tunes aren’t playing in your office yet, they’re bound to be in every store you walk through. But as we all know, the festive season shouldn’t be all about consumerism. Which is why it’s important to remember the importance of having a sustainable Christmas.
To help you do this, we’re bringing you a Green Gift Guide this year – a range of eco-friendly gifts that will allow you to take part in the Yuletide cheer without compromising your sustainable values. From wooden sunglasses and stainless steel drinking straws to beeswax wraps and bamboo water bottles, our Green Gift Guide has your Christmas gifting covered.
And, if that wasn’t enough, you can be in to win all the gift ideas mentioned below and more! Find out how in our Giant Green Gift Giveaway.
1. Eco-friendly sunscreen
The northern hemisphere might be snowing this time of year, but here Down Under we’re sweating! With the sun’s harsh rays in full force, it’s important to remember to layer up in sunscreen. Natural skincare brand Wotnot creates a fantastic Anti-Aging Sunscreen & Primer from organic ingredients that are eco-friendly and free of nasties. The perfect gift for a Christmas in the sun.
2. Organic tea
Whether it’s overindulging on chocolate or drinking one too many sherries, it’s easy to get carried away over the festive season. Organic tea is a thoughtful gift that will give your loved one a much-needed detox and moment of calm in between the busy festive period. The Organic Tea Project works with single estate organic tea plantations in India to bring you only the finest teas such as Organic English Breakfast Tea.
3. Reusable straws
The days of plastic straws are numbered (finally!). With everything we know about the damage plastic does to our oceans, there really is no excuse for anyone to be using plastic straws anymore. Encourage someone special to go plastic-free by treating them to a pack of Stainless Steel Straws by Ever Eco. Then, make sure they sip all their glasses of mulled wine through them!
4. Reusable flasks
It’s not just drinking straws that should be reusable by now. Ensure your loved ones steer clear of plastic drink bottles by gifting them a reusable flask. Made by Fressko knows a thing or two about reusable flasks, as Trip from their original Camino series proves. The sophisticated, hard-wearing bamboo flask with a stainless steel inner makes the perfect gift for those on the go.
5. Reusable food wraps
We all know Boxing Day is all about tasty leftovers. Ensure your loved one can avoid food waste by keeping their leftovers fresh with a reusable food wrap – an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic. WRAPPA creates gift-ready food wraps made from beeswax or plant-based materials that are as appealing to look at as they are kind to the planet, such as this fun and colourful Organic Cotton Mermaid Magic 3-pack. Eco gift sets made easy.
6. Botanical beard oil
One for the guys. Help him keep that beard in shape with the nourishing blend of Botanics found in natural beard oil. Babs Bodycare creates the perfect Beard Oil from a unique blend of Camelia, Argan, Jojoba and Hemp oils, which reduce inflammation, soothe skin and heal irritations while reducing redness and itchiness. He will thank you for it!
7. The Urban Farmer book
Perfect for that budding urban farmer in the family. Written by horticultural expert Justin Calverley, The Urban Farmer is a guide for anyone who dreams of living the country life in the city by growing their own healthy, sustainable fruit and veg – and more! A great gift for someone green-thumbed to find beneath their Christmas tree. Keep an eye out for our exclusive interview with the author, Justin Calberley, in a couple of days!
8. Wooden sunglasses
As well as protecting our skin from those beautiful sunbeams, we’ll also want to shield our eyes. A pair of wooden sunglasses make the perfect gift for a loved one. Not only are they unique and awesome to look at, but there’s no nasty plastic meaning they’re better for the environment, too. Bonus! Grown makes sustainable wooden eyewear for him and her such as Bodhi in Redwood and Meraki in Ebony. We love!
9. Bamboo clothing
Last but not least, don’t forget that bamboo clothing makes the perfect gift for someone special! Our everyday essentials for him and her are soft, simple and sustainable – everything a great, green gift should be. Whether it’s socks and undies as stocking fillers or our Boody Lounge pieces wrapped up under the tree, bamboo clothing is the gift that keeps on giving.
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