Have a Zero-waste Christmas
Finding that perfect gift and reducing your waste this silly season is easier than you think. Founder and CEO of The Rubbish Whisperer, Helen Townsend shares her favourite environmentally-friendly spoils ideal for under your Christmas tree this year.
Waste-reducing household items
One of the best gifts you can give friends or family is helping them on their waste-reducing journey. Reusable coffee cups, stainless steel straws, reusable produce bags and water bottles are all pretty sweet options – either individually as stocking fillers or bundled as a plastic-free lifestyle starter kit.
House plants
Who doesn’t love a great plant? They have been proven to lift your mood, make your home more beautiful and the air cleaner. Share a plant you’ve grown and place it in a beautiful pot you’ve picked up at the second hand shop– or if you’re short on time, support your local nursery by buying one instead.
Homemade pampering products
Creating a personalised lotion, candle, unpackaged soap or a set of bath bombs is a great spoil to give. Use scents you know they’ll love to make it special. Glass mason jars or homemade fabric bags are impactful ways to package the pampering products beautifully.
Fun experiences
Experience-based gifts are thoughtful ways to really show how much you care this Christmas. Think dance lessons, scuba diving for beginners, massage training, knitting classes or yearly passes to a local attraction.
For kids, think of awesome annual memberships
Unlimited visits to an aquarium or zoo is (almost) every child’s dream! Think about the child’s interests when selecting the perfect place to gift. If you’re buying for a niece/nephew or a friend’s child, this is the ‘extra’ expense parents will appreciate being covered as well.
Reusable water balloons
Keep the kids busy all day with reusable water balloons. They are a fantastic gift – especially for Christmas stockings. Simply dunk each reusable water balloon into a bucket of water and throw! You don’t need to pick up little bits of balloons at the end of the day.
Plastic-free store vouchers
Gift vouchers are still a firm favourite – opt for an electronic voucher code rather than a plastic card. Treat friends to a voucher from their favourite store or brand, and if you have tween or teen children, a gift voucher allows them to select exactly what they want.
Donate to a charity on their behalf
Make a monetary contribution to an initiative your family member or friend is passionate about or support a family in need with a food hamper on their behalf is a meaningful way to give.
A stunning piece of clothing for the vintage lover
We all have that friend who simply rocks statement vintage pieces. Shopping second hand is an ethical and sustainable way to buy clothing – it not only has no packaging, but also provides an opportunity for an item to have a second life.
Wrap it well
When it comes to wrapping your gift, forgo expensive printed wrapping paper and sticky tape and use reusable gift wrap instead. Get creative and reuse fabric or brown paper you have at home.
