With just celebrating Hamish’s birthday it got me thinking about the gifts I will be giving to him and in the future to my friends and family. Giving your loved ones gifts is a lovely way to celebrate and let them know your thinking of them, but it can also be very wasteful.
I’ve put together some tips for more sustainable gift giving, wrapping and recycling what your given too!
- Try and buy a gift that the recipient needs
- Small businesses sell unique and beautiful items, usually at an affordable price. They tend to have beautiful eco-friendly packaging too.
- Homemade gifts like beaded jewellery sets can be customisable or food hampers.
- Buy long lasting gifts. Usually when you spend money on quality, it means you won’t be buying in quantity in the future. Like candles in glass jars.
- Baking is always a winner.
- Handmade cards and packaging can have a sentimental value for some family and friends. Children also love helping make something.
- Second hand gifting. I’ve found some lovely pieces in charity shops which make perfect gifts.
- Regifting items that you have received yourself but no longer want is a fabulous way of decluttering your own home.
- Giving to a charity on their behalf, is a thoughtful present for those people that you don’t know what to purchase.
- I found zero waste starter kits a great gift to get people interested in starting their own journey into a more eco friendly way.
- ‘I owe yous’ have been around for a long time. I love giving these to Gavin for trips away or adventures to go on.
- Vouchers and gift cards mean that the recipient can choose what they want instead of you guessing.
- Plants. Indoor plants especially are very ‘in’ at the moment and cut flowers can be compostable once finished with.
- Activities or days out. This is my perfect gift (even during COVID) I like taking the boys out and about and when someone gifts me somewhere to visit, it’s usually a place I’ve never thought of before.
I could go on and on but my biggest advice is this: just be creative! Gifts for zero waste living is about using imagination, defying commercial standards and striving for sustainability. Once you start, you just can’t stop. There are many ways to try and create less waste that ends up in landfill. Mindful shopping has a knock on affect, especially when I’m buying for my children as I can buy depending on toy themes I have coming up or where one of my boys is showing a certain interest (yes we have six million second hand tractors)!
Much love
Rebecca
Motherhood In Farming 
Gifting of zero waste is an excellent idea. Thank you 😊
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