The Best Present Ever: A Healthy Environment

The holidays are quickly approaching and buying presents is on almost everyone's mind. Before you run out to the mall to do your shopping, though, consider some environmentally friendly present ideas.

Every year, the holiday season makes me crazy. And not the normal buying presents, wrapping, cooking, family and friends craziness. At this special time of year, I have an inner battle raging.

On the one hand, I love the spirit of giving, the time spent with friends and family, the good food and the beautiful music and lights everywhere. We need all that generosity, warmth, love, comfort and brightness at this, the darkest, time of year.

But.

(And this is a big but)

I stress so much about the waste: presents people usually don't need and wrapping garbage (no, wrapping paper, tissue paper and pretty bags are not recyclable!).

I'll talk about wrapping paper in an upcoming post but for now let's focus on the stuff we give: shiny, pretty, new stuff. Yes, sometimes you find the perfect present for someone that you absolutely know they will love and cherish forever. But, let's be honest. Most of the time we give an almost right present that a person doesn't really need. This means that while a select few presents are used and enjoyed, a lot end up packed away in boxes, in second hand stores or even in the garbage. This is an awful waste of resources (the energy and materials used for making the presents and your money).

So, before I go bonkers considering this holiday dilemma, I will discuss different ways of giving. I have 6 suggestions that are thoughtful, generous and environmentally friendly.

1. The Experience: A Gift of Memories

It may sound cheesy (cheese is also an excellent present idea) but creating a memory is usually much more special than giving a thing. You can share the experience with the person you are giving to (definitely appreciated because you are giving your time as well) but if you have no time (or you really don't like what you're giving the person) you can give a gift certificate or a single ticket.

Examples: lunch date, tea date, movie, concert ticket, winery tour, amusement park pass, museum or art gallery trip, hike, picnic, etc.

2. The Donation: Share the Love

Find out what cause or charity is close to your friend's or family member's heart and donate to it. You could donate money in that person's name, you could donate things that that charity needs or you could even volunteer your time to that cause.

This is a great present for kids too (but I would suggest combining it with something tangible). It teaches them about caring for the larger world.

Examples (these are not recommendations- simply the charities I thought of): Quinte Conservation adopt an acre program, World Wildlife Fund adopt an animal program, Habitat for Humanity, local humane society, local food bank, local hospice, Greenpeace, World Vision, etc.

3. The Food Present: A Way to a Man's (or Woman's) Heart

Everyone adores this one. But don't limit it to just sweets, treats and alcohol. I've gotten (and loved) pure cranberry juice, olives, nuts and even lemons (well, one lemon and money for a year's supply of lemons- thanks Mom!). Discover something someone already loves or share something you love.

And for an added enviro boost, choose organic, local and minimally packaged food.

Examples: I don't think they're needed... it's food, dude... you get it.

4. The Useful Environmental Present: Thoughtful... Yet Sneaky

I wouldn't go as far as calling this type of present underhanded but it is sneaky: your present has a mission. This present's mission is to make the gift receiver a little more environmentally friendly, whether they know it or not. You can give a personalized present: a reusable travel mug for those who frequent Tim Horton's (hint, hint, those paper cups are a huge waste). Or the present could be universally necessary: a package of cotton handkerchiefs (you do blow your nose, right?). The present could be very obviously environmental, like cotton produce bags, or very subtle, like socks made from recycled fibers.

Despite the hidden (or not so hidden) messages, these presents can be just as thoughtful and generous as any other present. So don't let a little sneakiness put you off.

Examples: organic shampoo for someone who loves their hair, an organic cotton piece of clothing, a journal made from recycled paper, a sketch book made from recycled paper, a box of laundry eco nuts, etc.

5. The Second Hand Present: A Little Something for Everyone

No, buying a second hand present does not make you cheap. There is so much that has already been made in the world, why encourage the waste of our precious resources by buying new if you can find something similar in decent shape second hand? Plus, there is usually minimal or no packaging in second hand stores (less waste- yipee!). Despite items being previously used, many things in second hand stores are still in great shape.

And let me tell you a secret: you don't have to tell anyone that the gift is second hand if you don't want to. Mind you, I often do just because I want an excuse to preach about environmental stuff.

Shopping at a second hand store has benefits beyond being environmentally friendly. There are so many unusual, funny, and beautiful things in thrift stores that you either wouldn't find new or they would be far too expensive to buy new. And if you're in my community, there's another plus: our thrift store is a non profit organization. Yep, if you buy there, your money goes to the food bank, hospice and other local charities.

A second hand present also gives you the option of personalizing it. You can touch up the paint in colours your friend would like, write a special quote on something, or sew a patch on ripped pants. I've even gone through a thrifted book and written little inside jokes and comments on the pages. It's fun to add your special touch and it makes the present more thoughtful.

Examples: books, stuffed animals, toys, puzzles, games, clothing, jewelry, picture frames, mugs, vases, candle holders, and the list could go on and on and on...

6. The Homemade Present: Very Niche but Very Nice

A homemade present can certainly be one of the most thoughtful types of presents. Even if the person doesn't like your creation (what teenage boy doesn't like a homemade lavender sleep pillow? Yes, I did that last year!), the time spent creating is always appreciated. I understand that making presents isn't for everyone: it takes time and, in a lot of cases, a certain amount of craftiness. But hear me out. I can't help you with the time these presents take (that's part of their charm!) but I can help you discover projects beyond the homemade jams, hand-knit hats and handcrafted soaps.

I've provided a list of some simple ideas below but don't limit yourself to my ideas. Let your own creativity run wild and I bet you'll think of something perfect. And if you have crafting skills, by all means, use them!

Examples for the not so crafty: a list of quotes that you think that person would appreciate, a “feel good” jar (write things you like about a person or things you know will make them laugh, like inside jokes, on pieces of paper and put them in a jar. When the person needs a lift, they reach in the jar and pull one out at random.), a memory jar (works the same as the “feel good” jar but has your favourite memories of that person inside), a mix cd/playlist, a lego creation (personalize the people and create a little scene that means something to the person you're giving to. Can work well for a child, but also a grown up), write a story or poem, fancy oatmeal in a jar (oats, spices, raisins, nuts and a bit of sugar layered for a pretty appearance and the instructions attached), a collage of pictures of cherished memories and a list of book recommendations. I'm sure there are tons and tons of other ideas but I've exhausted my creativity for now.

Examples for crafty folks (some upcycling ideas): make hats, mitts or pillows from used felted wool sweaters, make herbed dream pillows, pillows or produce bags from used cotton shirts, take apart thrifted jewelry and recreate it, make a set of cotton hankies out of old sheets and, the list could go on.

Now that you have the basic ideas, combine these types of presents in any way you want to make mutant presents with the super power of being, well, super!

What's better for a music lover than concert tickets and a homemade mix cd or playlist? Wouldn't an outdoor enthusiast love a hike in a beautiful spot with their favourite organic snacks provided by you? And if your friend cares about animals, I bet giving pet food to your local humane society and giving them a super cute kitty figurine from a thrift store would be purrrfect. You're only limited by your imagination. So mix and match to your heart's content!

Let's give differently this holiday season in order to give the earth a chance. Because although new stuff might seem nice now, a healthy earth is the best present of all.