Your Guide To Giving An Eco-Friendly Gift This Christmas

How to have a more conscious Christmas.

Sleigh bells are ringing, fairy lights are starting to twinkle and Christmas carols are being played in department stores—that’s right we’ve almost made it through another year and Christmas is here. It is a jolly time of year but it can also be a very wasteful time. Alas, there’s no need to throw your sustainability values down the chimney! Here’s how to spread the Christmas cheer with less waste.

Give Memories (Not Gifts)
For the person who has it all an experience is a sure way to impress. Each year Australians receive over 20 million unwanted gifts and presents. Yes, you read that correctly, so why not give an experience this year? A couple of ideas could be a weekend away, a decadent picnic or you can’t go wrong with a spa treatment, check out GP’s salon directory to find the perfect spot.

Wrap It Up
It’s a little known fact that Christmas wrapping paper can be recycled, just make sure you don’t use copious amounts of sticky tape and pick a pattern that you can use all year round (and one that isn’t smothered in glitter!). Reuse any gift bags or ribbons that you receive or keep it plain by using kraft paper and twine which can go in your compost bin. My favourite way to wrap my Christmas presents is using the furoshiki method, this means using a tea towel or cloth instead of wrapping paper so your loved one gets a practical present too. For a tutorial, head here.

Shop Sustainably
Even if your friends and family don’t have as much of a green (sustainable) thumb as you, take this opportunity to give them a sustainable product. When shopping for a conscious gift there are a couple of things I’d recommend considering, like what materials or ingredients is it made of? How long will it last? When and where will it end up?

Here are some of my top conscious Christmas picks.

Biossance Your Clean Routine Overachievers Skincare Kit, $92 from Sephora

Biossance is a relatively new brand to Australian shores but they are disrupting the sustainable beauty industry. Their signature ingredient Squalane reduces ageing, brightens and tightens. The Your Clean Routine Overachievers Skincare Kit incorporates some of their most loved products.

Flavedo and Albedo Pick & Mix, $119 from Flavedo and Albedo

Flavedo & Albedo are on a mission to remove plastic from makeup bags around the world. Their quality formulations are “packaged in aluminium, glass and sustainable timber. With zero plastic, anywhere. No tubs, no lids, no seals, no nothing.” With a range of styles and shades you can’t go wrong. 

L’OCCITANE Almond Oil Refill, $58 from L’OCCITANE

L’OCCITANE’s sustainability journey is really exciting to watch, this year they launched their refillable range which means you can now purchase your favourites like their Almond Shower Oil in refill pouches. The pouches use at least 77% less plastic and can be returned instore to be recycled, another win for your loved one and the planet.

Mojo Candles, $74.90 from Mojo

Mojo Candles are handmade in the Southern Highlands, their range is made using natural soy and doesn’t include any palm oil, synthetic fragrances or parabens, choose from one of their reclaimed wine bottle candles or a ceramic candle. Plus, when you’ve burnt through it you can send in your vessel and they will refill it.

December 07, 2022

Your Guide To Giving An Eco-Friendly Gift This Christmas

How to have a more conscious Christmas.

Sleigh bells are ringing, fairy lights are starting to twinkle and Christmas carols are being played in department stores—that’s right we’ve almost made it through another year and Christmas is here. It is a jolly time of year but it can also be a very wasteful time. Alas, there’s no need to throw your sustainability values down the chimney! Here’s how to spread the Christmas cheer with less waste.

Give Memories (Not Gifts)
For the person who has it all an experience is a sure way to impress. Each year Australians receive over 20 million unwanted gifts and presents. Yes, you read that correctly, so why not give an experience this year? A couple of ideas could be a weekend away, a decadent picnic or you can’t go wrong with a spa treatment, check out GP’s salon directory to find the perfect spot.

Wrap It Up
It’s a little known fact that Christmas wrapping paper can be recycled, just make sure you don’t use copious amounts of sticky tape and pick a pattern that you can use all year round (and one that isn’t smothered in glitter!). Reuse any gift bags or ribbons that you receive or keep it plain by using kraft paper and twine which can go in your compost bin. My favourite way to wrap my Christmas presents is using the furoshiki method, this means using a tea towel or cloth instead of wrapping paper so your loved one gets a practical present too. For a tutorial, head here.

Shop Sustainably
Even if your friends and family don’t have as much of a green (sustainable) thumb as you, take this opportunity to give them a sustainable product. When shopping for a conscious gift there are a couple of things I’d recommend considering, like what materials or ingredients is it made of? How long will it last? When and where will it end up?

Here are some of my top conscious Christmas picks.

Biossance Your Clean Routine Overachievers Skincare Kit, $92 from Sephora

Biossance is a relatively new brand to Australian shores but they are disrupting the sustainable beauty industry. Their signature ingredient Squalane reduces ageing, brightens and tightens. The Your Clean Routine Overachievers Skincare Kit incorporates some of their most loved products.

Flavedo and Albedo Pick & Mix, $119 from Flavedo and Albedo

Flavedo & Albedo are on a mission to remove plastic from makeup bags around the world. Their quality formulations are “packaged in aluminium, glass and sustainable timber. With zero plastic, anywhere. No tubs, no lids, no seals, no nothing.” With a range of styles and shades you can’t go wrong. 

L’OCCITANE Almond Oil Refill, $58 from L’OCCITANE

L’OCCITANE’s sustainability journey is really exciting to watch, this year they launched their refillable range which means you can now purchase your favourites like their Almond Shower Oil in refill pouches. The pouches use at least 77% less plastic and can be returned instore to be recycled, another win for your loved one and the planet.

Mojo Candles, $74.90 from Mojo

Mojo Candles are handmade in the Southern Highlands, their range is made using natural soy and doesn’t include any palm oil, synthetic fragrances or parabens, choose from one of their reclaimed wine bottle candles or a ceramic candle. Plus, when you’ve burnt through it you can send in your vessel and they will refill it.

Image credit: Instagram.com/fannyb

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