We’ve teamed up with savvy, sustainable living enthusiast Hannah from @nurturedbyhan to bring you 5 conscious gifting ideas that will help you share the joy over the holiday season. Read on for Hannah's festive (and wonky friendly!) tips.
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Kia ora friends! How is it November already? I don’t know about you, but the festive season always seems to sneak up on me. One thing that is often on everybody's mind is gift-giving! But before you rush out to buy the latest and greatest, let’s chat about some ways to show our loved ones we care whilst also keeping the planet top of mind. That's right...sustainable gifting.
I’ve got you covered this year with 5 of my favourite eco-friendly gift ideas and tips that will bring joy to your loved ones while also reducing unnecessary waste and allowing for a conscious silly season.
Who doesn’t love the gift of food?! Food related gifts are personal, thoughtful and most importantly…they won’t go to waste because they're too delicious! So why not create an edible gift made from fresh, seasonal, and slightly quirky Wonky Box produce? A few ideas...
Homemade Jams or Chutneys
Turn surplus or overripe fruit such as strawberries, apples or stone fruit (once they’re in season) into a delicious jam or chutney. This gift idea uses up excess fruit that might otherwise spoil, and turns it into a longer-lasting gift. Try presenting them in a small reusable glass jar, then tie them with twine and add a hand-written label for a personal touch.
Pickled Veggies
This is one of my favourite ways to preserve veggies that might otherwise go to waste, and they make a delicious, tangy treat that is often a crowd pleaser.
Plus you can get creative with your combinations!
What you'll need:
By pickling veggies that might otherwise be forgotten in the fridge, you can extend their shelf life and give them a second chance to shine as a unique, homemade gift.
Baked Goods
Turn overripe produce into a delicious baked treat, like banana bread, fruit muffins, or a cake. I like to wrap the baked goods in a cloth or beeswax wrap. Baked treats are also lovely because they can be gifted to friends who might be having a hectic holiday season and they can freeze them for when they need it. or even these more-ish kumara brownies
Apples, pears, carrots, bananas or zucchini all lend themselves great to baking! Feeling inspired? Try Wonky's “peels and all” banana bread recipe or even a batch of these more-ish kumara brownies.
This year consider skipping the store-bought beauty products that often come with layers of plastic packaging and instead make something by hand that your friends or family will love.
Some simple and easy ideas to start with are natural scrubs, body butters and bath salts that use common household ingredients like coconut oil, sugar, and essential oils. Make them in glass jars or reusable containers and add a nice handmade written label with usage instructions.
I personally think a beautiful experience that creates a lasting memory is worth more than most physical gifts. Think about what the person you’re gifting to would really enjoy or like to experience. It could be a craft class, a tourism adventure, or even a voucher for a local eco-friendly restaurant.
A gift that can keep on giving! Potted herbs, succulents, or houseplants are a great idea as they grow with love and last way beyond the holiday season.They even have some health benefits too, some plants help purify the air in your home.
While it’s great to have lots of new ideas for mindful and sustainable gifts, it’s also nice to think about how we wrap and present them. The wrapping side of gifting can generate a huge amount of waste from materials that often aren’t recyclable or compostable.
Instead of traditional wrapping paper that often ends up in the landfill, try some sustainable alternatives like reusable cloth wraps (Furoshiki wrapping), brown craft paper, old gift bags you might have saved or even repurpose newspapers or maps for a unique look. Another idea I like to use occasionally are reusable gift bags made from natural fibers like jute, which can be part of the gift itself!
Add a finishing touch with a bit of pine, dried oranges and old ribbon (I keep a stash from gifts each year!)
Sustainable gifting doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It’s about a bit of creativity, thoughtfulness, and a desire to reduce waste where we can. We can spread joy this holiday season in a way that’s kind to the planet too.
We would love it if you could share this blog with a friend you think will like these ideas.
Happy gifting, friends!
If you enjoyed this planet-friendly gifting inspiration, be sure to follow @nurturedbyhan for more helpful hints and DIY!
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