The holiday season can be a wonderful time of the year, but it can also be filled with excessiveness and significant waste. Statistics show waste increases by a whopping 30% at Christmas. On top of that, $400M dollars worth of ‘unwanted’ gifts received, reportedly end up in landfills after the holiday period.
So, what can you do this Christmas to avoid excessive consumerism?
There’s no need to be the Christmas Grinch and dismiss all gifts. Instead, why not opt for sustainable alternatives that are good for the planet and help local businesses? We’ve rounded up a list of the best sustainable options for your Christmas this year.
Support local businesses with these sustainable options
Consciously made fashion for kids
For friends or family with kids, Huxbaby has you sorted. Buttery soft fabrics accompany their stylish looks made using all-natural products and sustainable practices. Worn by kids to the stars, like Khloe Kardashian, Pink, Hilary Duff, these kid threads will be envied by all!
Founded by a Melbourne family in 2014, each piece is locally designed. Over 70% of the range is made from GOTS certified organic cotton or cotton blends that feel luxurious and are environmentally sustainable.
Reusable cups
Loving the planet while staying stylish has never been so easy. Fressko flasks and reusable coffee cups are a sustainable, reusable alternative to plastic, rubber or paper, single-use takeaway cups.
Their flasks and coffee cups are thoughtfully designed in Melbourne, with quality, aesthetic and versatility in mind.
A curated makers marketplace
Many gifts given over Christmas end up in landfills, so this year try to buy sustainable gifts that stand the test of time. For these needs, look no further than Finders Keepers Online Markets.
Finders Keepers is Australia’s largest curated marketplace of local makers, designers and entrepreneurs. Finders Keepers gives independent creators a platform to sell their products, supporting purchases from local handmade brands.
This Christmas, Finders Keepers Online Marketplace has you sorted for all your gifting needs.
Personalised subscriptions
Subscriptions are the perfect gift for the person who has everything. Instead of buying throw-away or unwanted items, you can tailor your choice for the recipient.
Perfume Subscriptions
Perfume lovers will delight at Melbourne based Cygnet Perfumery, who offer year-long subscriptions to their slow made handcrafted perfumes. Created using sustainable practices and local ingredients, the perfumery only puts out its range once a year to avoid excess waste.
The subscription model includes a unique bottle each month with a personalised letter and scent notes, but don’t fret you can still buy their scents all year long!
For your furry friends
Olly’s Box is a perfect gift for a furry friend, which is sure to provide a pooch and their family with a monthly box of joy.
Jam packed with fun interactive toys and all-natural Aussie made treats delivered to special four-legged friends, Olly’s Box will have everyone flipping out with excitement.
Three cheers for flowers all year!
Everyone loves flowers, in fact there isn’t a time of year when you’re not in need of some floral cheer. So, why not give the gift of monthly happiness with Aussie brand Fig & Bloom’s beautiful boutique florals.
As the lovechild of former fashion designer Kellie Brown and her partner Dan Groch, Fig & Bloom offers subscriptions as short as three months for high-end contemporary floral designs. This fashion-forward brand also offers gifts like cheese boards, green cups and preserved arrangements.
But it doesn’t end there, the team are also passionate about sustainability in the flower industry and aim to use Australian grown products created under ethical conditions without pesticides.
Give an experiential or educational gift
The best gifts in life often are experiences. So why not treat your loved one to a fun day out. WeTeachMe is an Australian online curator of workshops and classes in Australia.
From the likes of pasta making to pottery to taxidermy, there’s a massive range of online and in-person classes to suit even the fussiest recipient. They even have a broad range of sustainability classes across Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney.
Purchase a gift card to WeTeachMe this Christmas, and give the gift of fun!
