Gifts

6 simple ways to make Christmas a touch more sustainable this year

A few simple ways to be kinder on the planet this festive season with sustainable Christmas gifting 


Rethink your wrapping
It’s hard not to fall for wonderful Christmas wrap, but if the mountains of glossy paper left over after the giftgiving extravaganza leaves you wincing, why not wrap your gifts in fabric this year? Either buy your own fabric and hem it so your gift recipient can use it as a tea towel, or wrap it in a reusable bag. Essentially giving them two gifts in one. Lucky them!


Encourage green fingers
If you’re stuck for what to get a family member or friend, why not encourage them to start thinking about garden-to-table produce growing with a chic garden box? The Garden Bunch gift box, $122, from fatherrabbit.com

Oh, honey
Urban apiarists Bees Up Top rescue bee swarms before they’re exterminated. This Christmas, support them and the bee population by purchasing their honey, or even gift a rented hive. Swanson Honey, $16.95, beesuptop.co.nz

Another crack
If you love the tradition of pulling on Christmas crackers, but hate the waste, you’ll find your sustainable solution at Waste Free Celebrations. Their reusable crackers are filled with plastic-free, locally made gifts, reusable cotton crowns and are designed with a clever inter-locking tube to ensure you’ll get the satisfying ‘crack’ when you reuse them next year. Christmas Re-Crackers in Have a Holly Christmas, from $199.95 for six, wastefreecelebrations.co.nz


A shopper’s best friend
Take this with you when you go shopping this Christmas, or give one to someone else. Kind reusable bag in medium tricolour, $22, from goodthing.co.nz


Handmade gifts
Nothing shows thoughtful gifting more than a home-made present. Sometimes simplicity is best, if you aren’t a painter, potter or sewer, a jar filled with treats (shortbread, rocky road, peanut brittle) could be just the thing. Or, create a gift voucher to take them out to their favourite local cafe.

Create the home of your dreams with Shop Your Home and Garden

SHOP NOW

FEATURED