Conscious Christmas pressie ideas
The idea of Christmas shopping can be quite overwhelming; if you’re not careful, Christmas can follow a path of throw-away gifts and last-minute 3-for-2 Boots pressies for your secret Santa at work and your aunty Linda. This Christmas let’s say no to the scarf that deep-down you know they won’t wear and be a bit more conscious about the gifts you give. After all, Christmas should be a time for spreading the love and being mindful and grateful for what you have.
Plastic-free wrapping
The amount of wrapping paper we discard over Christmas every year in Britain can be wrapped around the equator 9 times – NINE TIMES!! Obviously I’m not going to suggest attempting to wrap your loved one’s pressies in old socks or tin foil; but it goes a long way to be a little more conscious of the paper that is inevitably going to get ripped off in a few split seconds. Anything with glitter or a shine is not recyclable - just as wrapping paper with sellotape on it makes it landfill rather than recyclable! A good alternative is good old brown paper and string – a little fiddly but you soon get the hang of it! You can even use Christmassy stamps and sprigs of holly/fern to spice up your gifts.
(Also use up the stuff you bought over the last few years! It doesn't matter if under the tree isn’t all coordinated - conscience over aesthetic!)
My mum’s cute wrapping this year!
Choose Love shop
Outside the Choose Love shop on Carnaby Street
I recently volunteered in the Choose Love shop in London. The shop is the first of it’s kind; a place where you can buy real gifts for refugees, doing your Christmas shopping and leaving with nothing but a gift card to show where your money has gone. The items range from warm emergency blankets to hygiene kits and meal ingredients, everything from immediate arrival to the long term needs of refugees. The whole space is completely funded by donors, so 100% of your money goes to the gifts you choose! And it’s also available online - yay!
The ‘arrival’ section of the shop
(The Choose Love pop-up shop in Carnaby street is open until Christmas Eve)
Shop independent!
Pop down to your local high street; independent shopkeepers are more than happy to help you pick the best gift with that personal touch; not only are you able to get unusual and unique gifts, but you’re helping the economy by diversifying and supporting small businesses too! You never know, you may find a little gem that becomes your local go-to shop for gifts.
Reusable bottles and coffee cups
This is sooo on trend since David Attenborough’s focus on our mass consumption of plastic and the effect it’s having on out planet. Almost all coffee shops give discount to those who bring their own cups, and so many places do free refills for water bottles. Not only this but they all look amazing too, with so many variations available it will be easy to find a style that suits everyone.
A couple of my favourite brands…
Coming in a huge range of colours and patterns, Chilly’s do varying sizes and even food pots!
A non-spill lid and customisable with just about every colour - what’s not to love?
Metal Straws
In-keeping with the reusable drinking equipment… lots of places have stopped serving plastic straws with their drinks, this is amazing for the turtles, but unfortunately they’re often replaced with paper straws: a sad soggy alternative. Step in the metal straw… a reusable alternative that can be used at home or taken to a bar.
I’ve had some from Bare Kind for a few weeks – they come in a range of different colours and sizes (some specific for the cocktail lovers out there!), with a little pouch and a cleaning brush too.
A charity subscription
Think of something your loved one or pal is passionate about; it may be animal welfare, or mental health awareness, there will be a charity out there working to support these issues! A lovely, more long term pressie idea is a subscription to a weekly or monthly donation scheme. For something like the Guide Dog charity, your recipient can get info about the dog they sponsor and see the development over time – it’ not just for Christmas after all!
Doing something
It doesn’t all have to be about money! Giving time or things at Christmas (or any time of the year) is just as effective. Lots of people volunteer at soup kitchens on Christmas Day, giving meals and spending time with those who are in a less fortunate position.
Why not make space for all the pressies you’ll be lucky enough to receive and have a little clear out before Christmas and donate your excess stuff to a charity shop.
Or pledge your time, it doesn’t have to be around Christmas – you could sign up to volunteer somewhere to fill the long month of January, or make it part of your New Year’s resolutions.
Whatever you choose to do this year, I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with your loved ones. Please let me know what mindful choices you make this year - I’d love to hear how you’re helping to make a difference!
Merry Christmas,
Love Humanitarian Girl x