10 Sustainable Gift Ideas for the Holidays
To remain as sustainably as possible during Sinterklaas and Christmas this year, I came up with 10 sustainable and original gift ideas for the holidays that will make your friends and family extremely happy!
The holidays have almost begun. All the Christmas offers can already be seen in the stores. We are eager to go out and buy lots of presents for all our friends and family. Because, what Christmas without presents under the Christmas tree?
Yet we often have no idea what exactly we should buy and what makes the other person happy. We live in such an abundance and do not realize that in principle we need very little. Why are presents so important to make a holiday complete? Perhaps out of tradition, for socializing or perhaps purely as a sign to make someone remember how much you care about them, which is beautiful!
Why sustainable gifts?
Now there appears to be a problem. Buying stuff is on average in the top 3 of the most polluting habits in daily life. Or better to say, it is on number 1. This was a reason for me to change this tradition.
That is why I came up with 10 different gift ideas with which you can give your friends and family a new look at life. They are original, minimalist, personal and have a positive influence on nature and the environment!
Enjoy!
1. Plants & Trees
Houseplants are always a good idea as a gift. They are air-purifying, durable and stress-reducing. Many plants filter the air and give them extra oxygen. A plant or tree for someone is a super alternative and also good for the environment! You can often buy plants at the market, and also at Dille & Kamille they also have really nice house plants and you can of course also take a look at a garden center, florist or at (Facebook) Marktplaats.
Repot the plants in a nice flower pot that you can find for a euro at the thrift store, or you can plant them in an empty bean can for a trendy retro style (or just as well clean before repotting;). In this way you also contribute to reducing waste!
2. Vega cookbook
On average, the number 2 of the most polluting habits in daily life is eating meat.
A big part of land is used for animal products. In addition, much more water, energy and raw materials are needed to produce animal products. A lot of pollution is involved. In addition, animals emit greenhouse gases, which in turn causes global warming. Growing vegetables takes up much less land and requires less energy, pollution and water. The impact is therefore less! Giving a vegetarian / vegan cookbook as a gift to friends and family is an incredibly fun and subtle way to encourage them to eat more vegetarian or even vegan.
You might find a vegetarian cookbook second hand! Here are a few tips for cool, inspiring vegetarian cookbooks:
3. Cozy socks
On average, number 3 of greatest impact on daily life is the house. Certainly heating your house. That is why I always like to dress warmly when it is cold outside, so that we can keep the heater off or low for as long as possible! Warm socks hold your body temperature (this also applies to hats or a nice warm second-hand Christmas sweater;). In addition, they are also super comfy and cozy! Nice gift to give away. Find them at Sus&So or Eco Giving.
4. Reusable cup
It is 2019, and we are all busy busy busy and on the go. Quickly get a take away coffee and continue. Normal, but this can be done differently! With a reusable cup you can save on mountains of waste. In addition, you get a 25 cent discount at all Kiosks at the station (in Holland) if you bring your own cup! And also at Starbucks you get a discount, nice to mention in your poem or card;)
5. Tea
Tea is always a good idea! Opt for organic, fair trade and organic tea. You can also choose a nice bag that you may still have at home, and have it filled for example by Simon Lévelt. This way you can prevent unnecessary packaging!
Also a nice tip if you have more time!:
If you have a tea garden or have time to start one, you can also grow tea yourself such as lavender, mint, chamomile, lemon balm, nettle, lemon verbena or sage. Let this dry and tie it together with a bow, just like a bunch of flowers. You can also put the dried leaves of these plants in a recycled pot and put a nice label on it to show that this tea is made yourself!
6. Shopping bags
When shopping, you quickly come into contact with plastic, even when this is not necessary at all! Instead of using plastic bags when shopping, you might as well use reusable bags! This means you can reduce your waste. You can buy them at the Appie for 0.69 per 2 pieces (vers zakjes), Etsy, Plastic Free Amsterdam or at Zo Zero. They are super easy to use. You can also find them online or simply create them yourself! Extra personal of course 🙂
7. Soaps
I think it is important that you know a person well before you know which fragrances and care products they like to use. Of course you can always check it out for certainty! A natural soap has a lot of advantages (read more about this) and brings almost no pollution or packaging with it. You can find them from natural products. I prefer to buy them at Dille & Kamille, but you can also take a look at Lush, DIY Soaps, Holland & Barrett, Helemaal Shea, Werf Zeep or Zeeplokaal.
8. Eco candles
A lot of candles are lit during the holidays. So cozy and let’s be honest, this is part of it too! Now, candles alone are not that good for the environment and health. When burning a candle, waste products such as soot and CO2 are released.
A nice alternative is an ecological, environmentally friendly candle made from soy wax.
Brandt Kaarsen is a online webshop, based in Utrecht. They sell handmade say candles. Also at Dille & Kamille, My Flame and at The Very Good Candle you can find several sustainable and eco-friendly candles. Super nice as a present!
9. Greeting cards
A really nice, personal Christmas card is of course a homemade Christmas card. The easiest and nicest option is of course to make a card yourself (for example from leftover paper from the paper bin). You can also choose to buy an ecological card. For example, there are Christmas cards from which you can grow plants! How original is that? To be found at
To be found at: Bloom Your Message or Kekootje. For the sustainable cards from “De Zinnige Zaak” there are no trees cut down and are printed with bio ink.
10. Nice gift stores
Last but not least, a list of a number of stores that you can visit and where you will certainly score a nice, sustainable gift for the holidays!
- Waar
Onwijs leuke cadeau winkel met alleen maar duurzame, ecologische, eerlijk gemaakte producten & cadeaus. - Dille & Kamille
Great shop since they sell many articles from natural materials and products with natural ingredients. - Lush
Looking for delicious care products? Then Lush is the place to be! All products are honestly made with natural ingredients. - SMIR (Amersfoort)
Onwijs gave winkel met mooie duurzame producten, zonder plastic. - Holland & Barrett
De place to be voor natuurlijke verzorgingsproducten.
Read “Zero Waste Stores in The Nederland” for more sustainable and ecological present stores (also webshops)!
So far all the sustainable and ecological gift tips that will hopefully make all your loved one happy this year. Nature will thank you!
I hope these tips have helped you! When you give one of these ideas as a gift, share a photo of it via Instagram or Facebook! Don’t forget to tag me (@ emmawouterson) so that I can see and repost your creations!
Happy Holidays & Good vibes,
Emma
Bron: De Verborgen Impact door Babette Porcelijn
