Your gifts make a statement. What do your selections say about you?
Buying gifts for friends and family is a big part of our holiday traditions. It’s a way to show those closest to us how grateful we are to have them in our lives. But meaningful, creative giving also says a lot about who you are as a person. In our consumer-driven culture, choosing to gift sustainably indicates your commitment to the planet, and encourages others to consider their impact.
Make a statement this season by shopping with the planet in mind. There are lots of ways to shop sustainably and give meaningfully. The first step is to make a conscious decision about what and from whom we are buying. As you shop for the perfect gifts this season, look for a gift that makes a difference and delights a loved one.
The Secret Power of Shopping
Yes, we live in a hyped-up consumer culture that focuses on consuming more. But your dollar has a secret power. Together, consumers can shift markets with the power of their choices. Here are some creative gift ideas that are both thoughtful and sustainable.
Creative Gifting Idea: Eco-Conscious and Community-Building
Shop Local and Watch Your Community Thrive
Every dollar you spend locally is the equivalent of $6 spent in the community. In your treasure hunt for the perfect gift, seek out local restaurants, shops, and businesses and spend your dollars there. When you shop locally, your community thrives and grows!
Learn more about how shopping locally benefits the community.
Support Businesses and Social Enterprises Committed to the Planet
We love businesses that balance purpose and profit. There are thousands of Certified B Corporations who are committed to doing better for the planet. These businesses consider the impact they have on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Additionally, there are social enterprises that are committed to making a positive impact in our world. These leaders are focused on using commerce and business as a force for good. When you can’t find that perfect gift locally, take a look at these great options.
Some of One Planet Life’s favorite B-Corporations include:
Creative Gifting Idea: Gifts with a Net-Zero Carbon Footprint
Gifts are wonderful to give and receive, but they take a hard toll on the environment. You ought to consider not only how the product is made, but also how you choose to wrap it. Most gift packaging, while beautiful is discarded shortly after being opened.
Luckily, there are many creative ways to lower the carbon impact of your gift.
Thrifting and Second-Hand Gifting
One of the best ways to reduce waste is to shop second-hand. Thrifting has become very popular, especially with younger generations. Enjoy the hunt by scouring thrift stores, yard sales, vintage boutiques, online second-market retailers, or trade with your neighbors. You just never know what you’ll find that will bring someone joy! Once you have the item, you can clean it up and use your creativity to embellish it. When you gift a second-hand item, you are saving the planet and making a stand against our trash culture by giving something a second chance.
Handmade Gifting
There’s nothing more personal than a handmade gift. The possibilities are endless! Prepare a treasured family recipe or platter of holiday cookies, create something unique from upcycled materials, and more! Pinterest is an excellent resource for ideas and instructions.
One Planet Life has several recipes that make beautiful handmade gifts. Try your hand at making fruit shrubs, pepper jam, cranberry-strawberry jam, or chocolate chip and coffee biscotti.
Creative Wrapping
Think outside the box when wrapping your gifts. Invest in reusable wraps, repurpose previously-used gift bags, or wrap in recyclable materials.
Creative Gifting Idea: Philanthropic Giving
Some people on your list are simply hard to shop for. Philanthropic giving is an impactful, thoughtful idea for the minimalist in your life or the person who has everything.
In every community, people are struggling who need our help. Consider a donation to local charities that give toys to children, stock the local food bank, or help a local school. There are so many ways to support our communities. When you gift a donation that makes a difference for someone in your community, you are spreading joy.
For the person who seems to have it all or who loves doing good for others, consider making a donation or membership in their name. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
- Plant trees with a membership to Arbor Day Foundation or a donation to One Tree Planted.
- Protect wildlife by adopting, apparel or donating to the World Wildlife Fund.
- Protect the planet with a donation to Friends of Earth or the National Resources Defense Council.
- Support local museums and organizations. Notice what is most important to your loved one and purchase a membership or donation in their name.
Creative Gifting Idea: A Shared Experience
For many people, more stuff isn’t what they need. What brings more joy is an experience, especially one that’s shared together. It could be dinner at a local farm-to-table restaurant, a museum membership, a sporting event or concert ticket, or a gardening class at a botanical garden. An experiential gift is a way to learn something new, spend time, and create joyful memories together. When you gift an experience, you also support the local businesses and organizations that make a community vibrant.
A gift of experience doesn’t have to cost much! Maybe you and your friend go for a “forest bath” in a nearby park. Consider baking cookies or spending time in the kitchen together. Maybe it’s committing to a twice-monthly coffee date, or an annual pass to a state or federal park. There are lots of ways to spend time together and try something new without spending a lot of money.
Choose a gift this year that speaks volumes about both you and your loved one.
Let your treasure hunt begin! The journey can be lots of fun. This year, shopping for and buying gifts does not need to be about more stuff. Thoughtful gifting that is good for people and the planet is more rewarding for the giver and the receiver. It makes the world a better place.
Discover more sustainable gift ideas on our blogs:
Written by Kristina Shane
Lead Content Manager and Editor
“I’ve always had a strong inclination to protect and nurture the people and living things around me. Especially after having kids, I became passionate about conserving our planet for future generations. It’s my duty to teach my children, through words and actions, how to be good citizens and thoughtful stewards for our planet. Joining One Planet Life felt like a natural next-step for me, and I’m thrilled to support their mission and strengthen my own sustainability efforts.”
