With 35 days to go, the Christmas countdown is on. For some, this time of year centres around faith; for others, its family and friends. But for many of us, it’s the season of giving and receiving gifts. And at the best of times, this process can be a chaotic and stressful ordeal; especially when considering the heightened unsustainability that the holiday season brings.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Christmas—the food, drinks, festive carols and quality time with loved ones—but the attempt of reducing our carbon footprint, definitely does not mesh well with gift-giving season. Despite this, we know there’s nothing better than that good gift-giving feeling. So we’ve curated a list of sustainable, eco-conscious gifts, letting you feel less guilty when splurging on a loved one this festive season.
Reusable, sustainable gifts
If you are looking for a gift that adheres to sustainability while supporting the ban of single-use plastics, look no further. From LARQ water bottles, KeepCup coffee cups and Swell stainless steel straws, each gift is a step towards a more sustainable future. And as plastic is now a planetary problem—with 1 million plastic beverage bottles being bought every minute, and recycling is at an extreme low—reusable gifts are the way forward. It's not just plastic bottles, but 1 billion toothbrushes are also discarded each year causing detrimental environmental damage, so why not grab the alternative, The Dirt bamboo toothbrush for a friend or colleague?
Sustainable subscription gifts
The subscription service is the gift that keeps on giving. Providing something unique and tailored to its receiver. For your mum? A monthly flower delivery from Charlotte Puxley Flowers. For your grandmother? Organically and sustainably grown produce by Citizen Farm delivered each week. There is an array of sustainable options for all. Our particular favourite, Sortorial—a home organization and styling company based in Singapore. Sortorial encourages customers to revisit current pieces in their wardrobe and step away from fast fashion. Ideal for the friend with a wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear.
The gifts that give back
But of course, Christmas isn’t just about the presents under the tree, it’s about giving time to important societal issues or to those less fortunate than ourselves. This year, how about removing materialism completely? Volunteer at a charity through Giving Singapore, sponsor an animal at a shelter or contribute to the environment by planting a tree, to aid the National Parks Board greening and conservation. ‘Tis the season to sustainably volunteer and create lasting impacts on communities and the environment.
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