Shopping for Christmas presents is no joke. You have to make a plan and decide what you’ll get for everyone depending on their preferences, brave the crowds that will flood the shops to get gifts for their own families, and stay within a budget so that you still have money left at the end of the month. It is certainly no easy task, especially with how you’ll feel pressed for time all along. However, there’s a downside to shopping for a large amount of items that many might not be aware of.
The toll all the shopping takes on the planet, with the massive quantities of raw material and energy that go into creating new items, is only matched by all the things that are later discarded, either to make room for the new ones or to get rid of the presents that didn’t live up to the expectations. This Christmas, you should focus on buying from sustainable brands and choosing quality over quantity to minimise waste.
Office Supplies
Whether you’re planning to surprise your work colleagues or want to get something special for one of your friends, you get the best of both worlds with eco-friendly office supplies that are practical and environmentally sound at the same time. Seeded paper, a handmade material that can be used for decorative effects and comes in different colours, patterns and thickness levels depending on the seeds and processing methods used, is one of the best options.
There are different types of calendars you can get made from this material, including tear-off and desk varieties. Envelopes, paper bags and business cards can all be manufactured from seeded paper. You can also get the unprinted variety. Some of the other office supplies you can put on your list are bamboo USB sticks and chargers, memo sets, sticky notes, bookmarks, rulers and pen cases.
Sustainable clothing
Fast fashion has taken its toll on the environment, and a large amount of global emissions are the direct responsibility of the garment manufacturing industry. Apart from the use of pesticides and the increased risk of water pollution, fast fashion has also been accused of unethical practices when it comes to protecting its employees, who often have to work for long hours and in conditions that are not compliant with worker safety protocols. Many are also exposed to dangerous chemicals that can have a detrimental impact on their health, as well as that of the community.
As a result, many shoppers have started gravitating towards labels that are taking active steps to be more sustainable. The upfront prices might be a little more elevated, but you get to enjoy the items for much longer since the quality is superior. You also don’t give your money to a brand that might employ exploitative means to produce its goods.
There are many sustainable brands you can choose from, depending on what you want to buy. A pair of soft slippers made from wool or sheepskin or a pullover are the best and most obvious choices for the winter season. Everyone wants something soft and warm to wear when it gets very chilly outside. You can even look for a brand that provides custom-made pieces, or which can personalise an item to give it a little more character. Artisan-made jeans made out of organic cotton and using non-toxic dyes, bamboo, fairtrade cotton bags from Greengiving, hemp, heavy metal-free pigments and biodegradable packaging are some things you should look for. If a company strives to become zero waste, that’s also a good indicator that they’re committed to helping the environment.
Gadgets
Technology is something that most of us cannot live without, and there’s no surprise as to why. It makes our lives easier and often more enjoyable. If someone you know needs to replace some of their old gadgets, you can take that as an opportunity to get them something that’s aligned with environmental values. A smart water bottle is the best choice for a friend who wants to stay hydrated but should really ditch plastic.
Most of the bottles come equipped with sensors that let you know if you’ve drunk enough during the day based on your body weight, height and age. You can also set a reminder in case you’re one of the people who tend to forget to drink water. Smart light bulbs come in an endless array of colours, last more and consume less. They operate using voice commands or motion-detecting sensors. If you enjoy music, you can get a wireless speaker from sustainably sourced cork, recycled plastic, and aluminium.
Beauty products
Skincare has steadily become more important all over the world. While the trend isn’t as visible as it used to be during the late 2010s, when all influencers were talking about their favourite creams, serums and ampoules, the love for skincare and especially clean, sustainable skincare remains unchanged. Herbal balms, facial cleansers, scrubs, lip balms, body butter, face serums, lotions, face masks and many more come in vegan, cruelty-free variants.
Many of the ingredients also bear the organic, non-GMO certification. Others are vegan and palm oil-free. Eco-friendly skincare includes fair trade shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil, working with local communities and aiming to empower small producers. You should also look at the packaging and look for products that offer a plant-based alternative. If the packaging is fully recyclable and made from materials that were already recycled before, that’s a bonus point.
Blankets
Winter is the season to get as cosy as you can, wrapped in a warm blanket and enjoying a film or good book. After all, life is all about the small comforts. For a bit of stress relief, choose the weighted option. The ones that come in a chunky knit also have a very charming design, apart from their functionality. The materials range from wool to recycled cotton and regenerated polyester created from repurposed plastic bottles.
Buying Christmas presents is no easy task since you must keep so many things in mind. However, it wouldn’t hurt if sustainability was one of them.
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