Season's "Greenings"! Tips for sustainable gift giving

Since the holidays are coming up quickly, I thought I would put together some tips for sustainable gift giving!

The Gift of Time or Experiences

Does it feel stressful to find the “perfect gift” for someone? We often put so much pressure on ourselves for something that’s supposed to be fun and filled with love! Instead of buying yet another material item, why not spend some quality time with your loved one instead?

Here are some nearly free ideas:

• Cook them a nice dinner
• Go skating on the Rideau Canal or Rink of Dreams 
• Volunteer somewhere together
• Help them with something you're good at or that would be useful to them - babysitting, pet walking, cleaning, painting, etc.

For the past few years, I have had the rule that unless a person specifically requests a material item, I gift an experience. I love this approach because you can easily tailor the experience to any budgetary requirements. Also, the best part is that you get to spend quality time with your loved ones and make memories.

 

If you have a bit more budget to spare, here are some experience ideas:

• Take a trip to a local spa such as Koena, Nordique or Uppliva
• Go out for a nice dinner, there are too many good spots in Ottawa to try and name a few
• Do a staycation or a short road trip – Montreal is close by train, and there are many cute towns within a relatively close driving distance
• Venture a bit out from downtown to one of the local skating trails such as Icelynd or RiverOak
• Go see a sporting event
• See a play or musical 
• Book a photographer (or ask a friend) to take family pictures

Contrary to popular belief, I think it’s totally okay to give a gift certificate. It allows for maximum flexibility and customizability! Don’t be afraid to go this route, maybe just pair it with a nice personalized message about the vision you have for this gift – the time you hope to spend with them and what you’re looking forward to about this experience. 

DIY and Personalized Gifts

Get crafty and make a gift! This way you get to personalize your gifts for the person, making them unique. You might be able to find a lot of the materials at your house or the Free Store!

A few of my favourite DIY gifts that have been given to me include:

• Baked goods
• Bath salts
• Candles
• Flower vases
• Knit hats and scarves 
• Photo albums
• Soaps

Material Gifts

Are you set on a physical gift? Here are some tips to make it as sustainable as possible:

• Check out second-hand stores first, you can find a lot of unique clothing, art, décor, jewelry and more
• Shop local and/or ethically (e.g. fair-trade certified) 
• Choose items that last a long time and are well-made
• Ask the person what they want so you don’t them something they don’t need
• Avoid single use plastic items or things that can’t be recycled

Lastly, skip the wrapping paper (which likely has to be sent to landfill), put it in a reusable bag instead. 

Well folks, that concludes all my ideas for now. Let’s make this holiday season about connecting with friends and family and enjoying time spent together rather than about the stuff you bought them. Create memories, not trash. Happy holidays!

~ holly gordon, sustainability coordinator