Zero Waste Christmas Gifts | the best for 2020
Christmas Gifts for zero waste lifestyle
I love giving zero waste Christmas gifts!
Once upon a time I bought heaps of “just for the sake of it” stocking fillers and gifts.
Partly because I felt I had to and I suppose partly because I wanted to.
Now I give gifts that reflect our zero waste lifestyle and hopefully feel as though a lot more thought has gone into them.
Spending time finding a meaningful gift rather than spending a set amount of money and worrying that it’s not enough/too much has helped me to remember the true meaning if gift giving.
I think it’s worth mentioning that for me, zero waste isn’t about never buying anything plastic.
It’s more about:
- Making mindful purchases (not filling a trolley with pretties in the bargain stores just because it’s cheap!)
- Buying quality items that are built to last.
- Spending time choosing a gift that someone will use for years (even if it means asking them!)
- Carefully considering who I actually NEED to be buying gifts for each Christmas.
- Finding new homes for preloved items.
What is a zero waste Christmas gift?
I think that a zero waste gift should be either handmade or pre-loved or something that will be loved for many years or help it’s new owner to refuse and reduce avoidable waste.
Whether you’re trying to live a zero waste lifestyle or are buying for an eco-conscious loved one then we have some lovely ideas to inspire you.
Gifts that won’t join the estimated 60 million unwanted gifts that are exchanged at Christmas just in the UK!
We also have a post full of Zero Waste Stocking Fillers too.
This post does contain affiliate links but buy second hand or locally if you can.
Choosing a an eco-conscious Christmas gift in 2020…
If you’re looking for zero waste Christmas gifts then you’ll want to buy something that a zero waster will actually want or need.
Finding a gift for someone who doesn’t love ‘stuff’ isn’t as challenging as you might think.
But before, I get into our zero waste Christmas gift list I think I need to mention something…
…ask them what they’d like!
I know that a gift doesn’t quite feel like a gift if the receiver asks for it.
However, I can almost guarantee you that a zero waster will not want another gift that’s been purchased just for the sake of it.
So, if you’re comfortable to, ask them if there’s anything they want or need.
Now, if you’re still looking for that perfect zero waste gift…here are our zero waste Christmas gift ideas:
Zero Waste Christmas Gifts To Buy
Event tickets
A concert ticket, cinema, theater.
Membership
Depending on how much you have to spend an annual membership can make a lovely gift that will bring happiness all year.
Choose something the receiver will appreciate…days out, digital magazine, vegetable box.
Plants
December and January is the middle of the dormant season in the Northern Hemisphere.
It’s the time to plant bare rooted deciduous trees and shrubs (dormant).
We planted our woodland with native British trees from here.
Biodegradable dish scrubber
Reusable razor
Disposable razors are unrecyclable so they end up in landfill…these don’t as the stainless steel blades are replaceable and recyclable.
Dryer balls
Reusable Water Bottle
Mason jars for freezing, canning etc
I see these often in charity shops.
Zero Waste Travel Kit
Being zero waste when out and about can be a challenge.
Put a little kit together to help out your zero waste gift recipient.
A lidded jar with a napkin inside is enough but add a fork and spoon and they’ll be prepared for anything!
The jar can be used as a drinks cup or a bowl for holding snacks.
Wrap foods in the napkin or use it as a tablecloth while eating outside.
Shampoo
Gift a solid shampoo bar.
Hand cream
Why not make your own cream to gift.
Soap bars
Soap makes a great gift as it has so many uses and will keep for ages until you need it.
Hairbrush
What about an 100% biodegradable hairbrush.
Essential oils
Not entirely zero waste but if you choose oils from sustainable sources then they are a great way to fragrance a room.
Take a look at our plastic free diffuser guide.
Tea
Did you know that some tea bags actually contain plastic?!
Gift a tea strainer and some loose tea!
Reusable bags
If you don’t already own 216 reusable bags then these look great (it holds 10 bags so is enough for a family shop).
Containers
Stacking tins like these are great for keeping in your backpack while out and about…incase you fancy a takeaway or some berries from the green grocers.
Mobile phones
1.5 billion smartphones were sold last year!
Phones need cobalt to function which is mined in terrible conditions, often by children.
If you want to gift a phone then you have a few options.l;
Buy a refurbished phone (we got ours from Music Magpie).
Buy a fairphone which is ethically made, built to last and easy to repair as it has replaceable modules.
Honey or jams
A gift of some local honey or jam is a great way to cut down waste and support a local producer.
Local Talent
What about seeking some talented artists locally. Buy a painting, some pottery or a crafted piece as a gift.
Seeds
Flowers or veg seeds make a thoughtful gift.
Compost bin
What about a wormery?
Ethical toys
If you can’t find what you’re looking for second hand then buy from a brand like Green Toys who’s toys are made with 100% recycled plastic and come in recyclable packaging.
Zero Waste Christmas Gifts For Kids
Many of the ideas above and below will be suitable zero waste gifts for kids.
I think I should mention that my kids do wake up Christmas morning to a full stocking and a pile of gifts under the tree.
I start sourcing gifts early so that I have time to search for used kids toys or make things myself.
Here are some items that make great zero waste Christmas gifts for kids:
Sewing kit
Buying non-toy gifts is a great way to inspire creativity.
I still use the Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle sewing box that I was given around 30 years ago!
Tool set
On my sons wish list this year is a real tool set. Will hopefully inspire a lifetime of making-do and mending!
Books
Second hand books are such great bargains. I love buying Usborne for kids as the illustrations and images are perfect.
E-reader
A refurbished e-reader or tablet with some pre-installed educational apps makes a lovely gift. As home educators we use ours a lot!
Zero Waste Christmas Gifts That Cost Nothing (or not a lot)
Re-gift something
Keep a box of unwanted gifts and pre-loved finds to use as gifts.
Upcycle
Turn something unloved into something beautiful…(like this lovely lady does!)
Gift an experience
Why not gift someone an experience…make your own or buy one.
As a busy parent a spa day or even a luxury bath (minus toddlers!) would be appreciated much more than a new handbag!
DIY Bath Salts
Kindness cheques
Similar to above but a cheque-book full of kind gestures.
Think about what would mean a lot to your friend and present them in as little notelets that they can redeem over the year.
For example, a foot massage, night-out, baby-sitter, favorite meal.
Jars full of goodies
I love giving gifts in reused glass jars.
Make some fudge or even add some dry cookie ingredients…these make lovely zero waste Christmas gifts when presented in a jar.
Or what about a home made soup kit…
DIY wipes
Cut some old brushed cotton sheets into squares and sew edges.
String art
If you’re crafty then give string art a try…
A garden seat
Such a great way to recycle tyres…
Bird feeders
Make a birdfeeder.
Seed paper
Zero Waste Gift Wrapping
Once you’ve chosen the perfect zero waste Christmas Gift then remember to avoid waste while wrapping too:
- Newspaper
- Fabric and ribbon
- Reusable bag
- Magazine pages
- Kids drawings
I hope this zero waste Christmas gifts list has helped you to find the perfect zero waste present.
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