Christmas has become the time of year for excess, but the recent trend towards more sustainable ways to live can seem at odds with what the festive period is all about. However, traditionally Christmas always was sustainable, small gifts of homemade preserves or perhaps a wooden gift made for a child were the norm and large overblown gestures of wealth would have been frowned upon.
The Christmas we have all come to know, love, and now feel the need to pull away from has been largely driven by advertising and T.V. The pressure to provide the “perfect Christmas” means we are spending more than ever on food and gifts over the festive period.
More and more, people are starting to realise that our rate of consumption cannot continue and are looking into alternative ways to enjoy the festive period without over consuming and overspending.
As independent business owners, here at Relish we feel that the responsibility to provide more sustainable products which have a lesser impact on our environment sits firmly on our shoulders. If you are looking for some inspiration and ideas to celebrate a more sustainable Christmas, without losing any of the magic, here are our top tips…
What makes a sustainable gift?
Recycled not rubbish –
The push towards more sustainable living has seen huge developments in the techniques used to produce products which are made from recycled goods and materials, such as plastics, glass, metal and fabric.
Many items are now available which have been produced using recycled materials such as plastics, glass, metal and fabric. Buying recycled goods is an easy way to have a direct impact on the amount of waste entering landfill.
Often in the past people would have seen recycled as the cheap option, which could not be further from the truth now. With high quality products and new innovations entering the market at an unprecedented rate, buying recycled is easier than ever.
Reclaimed –
Again, these items would have otherwise been thrown away. There are some fantastically talented people making amazing things from previously used items. A little research in this area will go a long way. You will also be able to tell the story of how you came across your gift when you give.
Locally Handmade –
Items produced locally to you usually offer great value, help to support your local community and have zero airmiles. Search local farmers markets, craft fairs and farm shops to find the perfect gift such as unique handmade Cornish pottery or delicious local preserves and chutneys.
Tips for more mindfull gifting
- Do not give for the sake of it, each gift should be thoughtfully chosen and given with love.
- Plan ahead, do your research, are there more sustainable options available for your gift of choice?
- Shop small and independent this way you are sure to find unique items which will have a story at the same time as supporting local
- Perhaps give the gift of a skill. Book your friend onto a course such as pottery or cooking, maybe you could join them. Learning a new skill and sharing experiences together will be more meaningful than a physical gift and will create lasting memories for you both to cherish.
- LUCY & YAK (ethical clothing) - What can we say, these guys are absolutely smashing it. This ethical clothing brand are relatively new to the industry and are changing the way people think about fashion. I am a huge fan and would recommend without question plus their dungarees are fab! (www.lucyandyak.com)
- PEACE WITH THE WILD (cosmetics) –This brand offer cosmetics which are cruelty free, vegan friendly and plastic free. They have an ethos encompassing a more sustainable and eco-friendlier lifestyle. Their range is vast, and they support small independent makers. Having used their products, I cannot emphasise how much I love this brand. Ethical and great quality. (www.peacewiththewild.co.uk)
- Hamper - visit your local farm shop and create a personally curated hamper using local produce. These Are also often great places to discover local creators and artists all under one roof.
- Make a wreath - Get out into the wild and hunt for items to create a wreath. Driftwood from local beaches, greenery from local woodland and dried fruit can all be used to create this meaningful long-lasting gift.
- Sloe Gin - adding pricked sloe berries and leaving them to steep in your favourite gin is sure to be a well-received gift, put some thought into the bottling and labelling process to create the most personal of gifts.
A very merry Relish Christmas…
As our business takes up most of our time, Christmas for us is definitely all about family. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with our loved ones and share special moments. It may be a little cliché, but we truly believe in shopping local as we know every penny is important to small local businesses and the service we receive is always fantastic and genuine. We are lucky enough to have so many fantastic businesses locally where we live in South Devon, meaning there is no need for us to go to a big city to shop.
Christmas with a conscience is possible and with a little effort you can be sure to have done your part to help make the festive season more sustainable. So, get out there and discover how easy it is to make a few small changes which will really make a difference and help your community thrive.
To find out more about Relish, visit www.relishlifestyle.co.uk.