A survey by the Australian Institute found Australians wasted $980 million on unwanted Christmas gifts last year, many of which were discarded and likely ended up in landfill. This figure is incredibly disturbing, especially when you think of all the gift wrapping, decorations and single-use plastic that went along with it.

We get it: gifts can be tricky!

We see value in buying a sustainable gift that someone wants or needs, but also value in buying experiences because often someone doesn’t want or need anything. Our most important takeaway is to have conversations and find out for sure before investing in anything.

When it comes to gift giving, we love the Kris Kringle scheme. Each individual has a family member (or chosen family member) to buy for, with a capped budget. It means we have more time and more money to buy or create something thoughtful.

Gift giving can be a beautiful thing and there’s a lot more opportunity now to buy consciously. If you are going to give a gift this Christmas, do so responsibly and take a look at our list of better gift ideas.

ZERO-WASTE PRODUCTS:

Combine a thoughtful gift with responsible living by avoiding unnecessary waste and gifting something sustainable and eco-friendly.

Zero-waste products:

Beeswax wraps
Reusable produce bags
Bulk shopping bags
Swag bag
Glass and ceramic reusable containers
Stainless steel water bottle
Handmade keepcup
Handmade soap bars, shampoo bars, conditioner bars

VOUCHERS

Give someone the opportunity to try something new or the thrill of stepping out of their comfort zone.

Online vouchers for sustainable and ethical stores, restaurants, massage or spa treatments, experiences or tickets, e.g. adventure parks, bunjee jumping, concert tickets or a night away.

CLASSES + MEMBERSHIPS

This is a gift a loved one will get continued benefit and appreciation from instead of the short-term excitement of material goods.

Yoga studio sessions, pilates classes, gym membership, gin & vodka making classes, ceramics lessons, photography lessons, art classes, zoo, art gallery or museum memberships.

HANDMADE FOODS

Granola (page 19 A Better Christmas)
Pickles, preserves and ferments — sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled onions, pickled cucumber, pickled tomatoes, preserved lemons
Sauces — tomato sauce, chutney, worcestershire sauce
Infused oils (page 23 A Better Christmas)
Infused alcohol (page 26 A Better Christmas)
Jams and preserves
Sweets and baked goods (we have some great recipes in our ebook A Better Christmas)
Spice and herb blends
Dried tea or chai blends

This is a great opportunity to repurpose jars and bottles.

PLANTS + SEEDS

House plants, herb gardens, fruit trees, fresh or dried flower bouquets. This is not only good for our planet but has an added benefit to your health as well.

HOMEMADE PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Body scrub (page 16 A Better Christmas), bath salts (page 18 A Better Christmas), face masks (page 15 A Better Christmas), bath bombs. Most of the ingredients to make these products can be found at bulk food stores and can even use herbs and flowers from your garden to add a natural fragrance.

EMBRACE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE WITH ART, CRAFTS & DIY

If you have the resources, use what you already have at home, e.g. mix-matched wool knitted blanket or crocheted coasters.

Some of our favourites are painted or drawn artwork, hand moulding or wheel spun pottery, knitting and crochet and building and carpentry.

REPURPOSED + THRIFTED

Often things found at secondhand and vintage stores are of equal quality or better and it may give you an opportunity to spend less.

Shop at vintage and secondhand stores
Secondhand bookstores
Regift something you have received if you think it may be better appreciated by someone else.

EBOOKS

We love the convenience of ebooks and the fact that they save on printing recourses.