Eco-gifting that brings festive fun to everyone

3 minute read

Those of us who try to live as sustainably as possible can find some elements of the festive period pretty daunting. 

We may have spent all year trying to reduce our impact on the environment, then December comes - with the prospect of lots of new ‘stuff’ heading into our homes. 

Or perhaps we wish to give family and friends something to show they are in our thoughts - but we also have a desire and commitment to buy only from retailers whose values feel aligned with ours.

If this sounds like you, don’t panic!  The APDO Sustainability Special Interest Group (SSIG) have come up with 5 fantastic suggestions to help you gift more responsibly and even help you reduce your own clutter in the process!

1. Use their hobbies to help you

If your loved one has a real passion for something, why not invest in a service that will support their hobby? For example, the golf-lover in your life might be thrilled with a professional clean of their clubs, or a keen sewist could really appreciate having their sewing machine serviced to keep it running smoothly. 

These kinds of service gifts are usually a real treat that someone wouldn’t think to do themselves. They also have a wider benefit. As SSIG leader Sheena says, “Encouraging people to look after their existing possessions, rather than always defaulting to buying new, is a great mindset to share, as it can influence so many other choices they might make in life”.

2. Share or gift a skill

If you are a master baker, knitter or decorator and you know someone who always admires your handiwork, why not gift them a ‘voucher’ for your time to share some of your skills? Alternatively, if you and your friend have always said how much you’d love to learn a particular skill like a language or how to dance, then you could arrange a few lessons for you both to get you started. 

SSIG leader Kate says, “Time is generally our most precious resource and so, in gifting that to someone else, you are really showing them how much you care. It also gives you the chance to create the kind of connection with that person that you just don’t get when you give them a basket of ‘smellies’.

3. Opt for tasty gifts that won’t take up space

Edible gifts are generally always appreciated as your recipient can enjoy them without needing to find a long-term home for them! If you love baking or jam making, now is your time to take a look through your recipes and see who would enjoy what. 

And if you’re the kind of person who ends up keeping tins, glass jars or storage boxes because they look too nice to just go into the recycling, now is your chance to make these part of the gift to pass on your home-made goodies. 

If you’re not such a whizz in the kitchen, take a look at ethical chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely as they offer personalised wrappers for their fair-trade chocolate bars.

4. Don’t ignore the wrapping

Did you know that the Christmas packaging paper we use in the UK every year is the same in weight as 124 London Eyes? So, if you are using wrapping paper, make sure it’s the type that can be recycled (i.e. not shiny, no glitter and no foil) and if it can’t be recycled, then consider keeping it to use again next year. 

Alternatively, if you’ve had any recent online deliveries, why not re-use those boxes or their packaging paper? As SSIG leader Karen points out, “The packaging usually gets discarded pretty quickly anyway, so make the most of what you’ve got - and you can always draw on some decorations to make it more personal and fun”.

Kate adds, “If you’ve got any lightweight scarves you were thinking about decluttering, or any festive bed sheets or tablecloths that you don’t love, why not cut them up to make your own Furoshiki wrapping?” That’s a win for your own decluttering goals and a win for the planet by reducing your waste.  

5. Share the love

If time and energy elude you during the hectic festive period, you are not alone! A fantastic option to show someone that you care is donating to a charity that is really important to them. This also allows you to talk to your loved ones about what is important to each of you, which could help you start some helpful discussions around the steps you are taking to be more sustainable… and who knows what positive ripples these conversations might create? 

If you would like an APDO professional organiser to support you with decluttering and organising your home before the festive season or with ideas for sustainable living, check our member directory today.