If we've learnt one thing in recent years, surely it's that the world does not need more new stuff? With this in mind, I've updated my blog with some fresh ideas for experience gifts and consumables. Gifts that and won't linger much beyond the end of December) as they'll be eaten, drunk, burnt in the case of a candle, enjoyed for a defined period flowers/plants) or are experience based.
In line with repurposing and what I refer to as "conscious buying", I'm also featuring companies who produce goods from materials that would otherwise go to waste, or who have a story to tell, (which goes beyond selling items for solely for their own profit).
Christmas creates so much waste, and much of this waste is due to the huge number of unwanted gifts that end up being returned to the shops and ultimately end up in landfill. According to an article published in the Independent in January 2019, "More than 4 million people returned an unwanted Christmas gift last year (data supplied by GoCompare)".
That was in 2019, imagine how much this will have increased since then.
Christmas waste doesn't just come from the exchange of unwanted gifts however, but also from the paper used to wrap those gifts. Christmas cracker debris also deserves a mention in this category too!
Maybe this year, we can all be a little bit more creative and environmentally conscious in our buying and giving? I'm thinking both from a decluttering perspective and for the future of our planet. Each and every one of us has a responsibility not to request more than we need this Christmas. However, if we want gifts coming our way to be consumable or experience based, or at the very least second hand, made from repurposed materials and/or from sustainable sources, we must communicate that wish to our friends and family. Well in advance!
With this in mind, I've come up with a list of clutter free and good conscience Christmas gift ideas. Some of the ideas are location specific, but perhaps they'll prompt you to search for something similar in your local area. At the end of the gift list, I've included some alternative gift wrapping and Christmas cracker ideas.
Explore the best of our country's great out (and indoors) with National Trust Membership, or the chance to ride in a beautiful setting such as Windsor Great Park.
Or how about a tree dedication in the name of a loved one via The Woodland Trust.
Oakdale Bees is a Windsor based company which not only produces gift items such as local honey and candles, but also offers a "bee experience".
Theatre or concert tickets, or tickets for a local event. Giving tickets doesn't have to be boring, Father Christmas left "a howler" to announce the gift of tickets to Harry Potter for my daughter.
Give to do good with a backpack from Madlug, "with every bag purchased, one will be given to a child in care." Do read their story, what a fabulous idea!
Fresh baked goods or voucher for a cookie decorating, or baking workshop.
Eco friendly toiletries from your local refill store.
Give someone a day of pampering and relaxation with a spa voucher, a swim/pamper session at a gorgeous lido such as Thames Lido or even a Turkish Baths experience.
Clear your printed photo clutter by creating a Blurb photo book from the best ones, or digitise your memories with the help of Henley Scan.
Book someone a place on a floral workshop or needlework course for somebody looking to take up a new hobby.
Place on a cookery demonstration or workshop with Waitrose Cooking School, or a cookery course abroad.
Afternoon tea in a beautiful setting such as Cliveden or an unusual dining experience. Treat someone to colour analysis or personal styling (in person or online).
Family Cinema pass, voucher or Netflix Membership
Give the gift of a calm and organised living space with a voucher for Less Is More - decluttering & organising service, or an annual membership to an online Clutter Free Living Community.
Donation to a favourite charity (I'm still waiting for somebody to adopt me a donkey!) Seeds or bulbs from Sarah Raven. Voucher for learning a new sport or a Digital Magazine subscription .
Family falconry experience at Feathers and Fur Falconry Centre or a family skate session at your local ice rink. Tickets for Windsor Racecourse, Ascot Racecourse or another sporting event.
Sports car driving experience, Junior off road driving experience or even a flying lesson for the more adventurous!
If you and your family decide to go for one Secret Santa gift this year, rather than exchanging lots of gifts, there's an app called Drawnames which will help you facilitate this.
Gift wrapping - did you know that not all wrapping paper can be recycled? According to recycle now, wrapping paper that is "dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver coloured shapes, glitter or plastics, is not recyclable. If you want to be sure that you can recycle yours, why not decorate your own by potato printing designs onto brown paper? It's the perfect Christmas holiday art project for kids!
If you're kids are older, try furoshiki, a traditional Japanese wrapping technique using scarves (or similar fabric squares). After use they can be folded up, stored and used over and over again.
Christmas Crackers - for many years now in our family, we've avoided the small mound of plastic and metal tat that lurks into January, until it eventually gets binned, by making our own crackers (this way you can make the little gifts more personalised!). It's another brilliantly creative craft project, where the experience itself is worth just as much (if not more), than the end result!
Ideas for innards include reusable make up wipes, hankies, rolled up lottery tickets and packets of seeds.
You can even buy reusable Christmas Crackers now, check out Sew Caroline for some beautiful designs.
Happy decluttered (and good conscience) Christmas shopping this year!
If you have any brilliant ideas to add to this list, please share them with us in the comments below.
Jo Hall is a Professional Home Organiser and Clutter Free Living expert 🏠
If you would love to have a really good sort out but don't know where to start, or maybe you've made a great start with it, but have since lost your way, Jo can help!
Jo works online with clients worldwide 🌍 via 1:1 sessions, DIY resources and group courses 👩💻 Guiding overwhelmed people to break free from the burden of stuff.
Get in touch to fix up a no obligation chat: Less Is More
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