Sustainable and Thoughtful Ideas for Everyone on Your List
Giving gifts is a wonderful way to express love and gratitude to those we love.
In today's world however, we are encouraged to spend our money on items that, more often than not, end up as landfill.
So, how can we give gifts to our loved ones that don't cost the Earth?
Here are some suggestions...
Homemade Gifts
If you are crafty or like to cook, schedule some time to make your own gifts. Some ideas include:
sewing, knitting or crocheting
baking biscuits, a cake or slice
drawing or painting a card or canvas
creating something with clay
There's a whole plethora of ideas out there. Visit your local library for some craft books or search online for easy to follow tutorials on YouTube.
Check out these two bliss ball recipes on my blog for some cooking inspo:
Natural and Organic Skin Care
There's nothing like using good quality skin care products, especially when they use organic and locally produced ingredients.
Perfect Potion is your one stop shop for organic, aromatherapy based skin care. I've been using their products for nearly 25 years and can attest to their quality. From moisturisers to face masks, essential oils to aromatic mists, perfumes to massage oils, their range is extensive and made at their facility in Queensland.
I have recently become an affiliate for them and have a special discount code for you to use at the checkout to receive 15%. Use this link to go to their online store and enter the code THECENTREOFKI when making your purchase.
Books
Who doesn't love a good book to read over Christmas? Or any time really?
I've had a few good books cross my path this year, so here are some recommendations that might resonate with your loved ones...
We Are The Stars, Gina Chick - The inaugural winner of Alone Australia, tells the story of her extraordinary, indomitable life in one of the most powerful, moving memoirs you will ever read.
The Impossible Life, Matt Haig - A beautiful tale of magic, mystery and mathematics from the best-selling author of The Midnight Library (another great read!).
The Goddess of Warsaw, Lisa Barr - An inspiring tale of love and loss spanning three periods of time: from the Warsaw Ghetto, 50s Hollywood, to the present day.
Milk, Matthew Evans - Want to know about milk? This eye-opening book shares the science, history and politics of milk and its many forms.
Ultra-Processed People, Chris van Tulleken - Everything you need to know about ultra-processed food and why you shouldn't be eating it.
Support a Cause
A great way to make a positive impact whilst purchasing gifts is to support a worthy cause. Many organisations have some great merchandise on offer, and by making a purchase you know that your money is helping the work that they do.
Here are some organisations I recommend supporting:
Alternatively, consider making a donation to one of these organisations on behalf of a loved one and let them know that their gift is helping support nature and the environment.
More ethical and sustainable ideas
Finally, check out this list of ethical and sustainable gift ideas on Bank Australia's blog.
If you haven't heard of Bank Australia, they are a customer-owned bank with B Corporation credentials, that do things a little differently to your typical bank. They put their customers at the centre of the bank, balance purpose and profit, and make decisions that have a positive impact on people, communities and the planet.
The list of gift ideas on their blog, highlight some of their customers and other B Corp businesses.
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I hope these ideas are helpful. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below.
Merry Christmas!
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