Posted by Les Mauvaises Herbes
The days are flying by, you see Christmas approaching dangerously, and you realize you haven’t planned anything to spoil your loved ones? Don't panic!
Here are 5 eco-friendly and/or homemade gift ideas that you can whip up in no time.
Perhaps you’ve seen the famous inverted pyramid of gift-giving hierarchy on the web. This pyramid, created by Just Little Changes, is really practical when it comes time to find an eco-friendly gift. Don’t hesitate to refer to it!
1. Give memories or time
This is probably the best gift to give—and to receive.
Last year, I gave my dad a simple card with an invitation to have lunch at the restaurant of my childhood. A gift he really appreciated, and so did I!
I have a bit of an urge to repeat this formula this year and, why not, improve it? Spending time with family or friends is so precious. With our frantic pace of life, it’s not always easy to make space in our routine. Offering this time as a gift sort of commits us to actually booking it, rather than just saying, "We should eventually go grab a coffee!" Now, it’s written on paper, and there might even be witnesses.
The fun part about this option is that the possibilities are endless. You can offer to spend time together through a very simple activity (a coffee at home counts!), but you can also outright offer time to loved ones who are short on it, whether it’s babysitting your nephew, cooking, cleaning, etc. You can write it all down on a little piece of recycled paper or a homemade card to make it official.
2. Make a donation
Do you have people in your family who don’t need anything and don’t want anything? We all know people like that. We can simply give them a big, heartfelt hug or, if we want to give something concrete, make a donation to an organization of your choice in their name.
You can even find an organization related to the person’s interests or values. A committed, meaningful gift that will have much greater repercussions than a thousandth trinket or a gift card.
3. For foodies
A little homemade recipe is always a treat! Maple-glazed nuts, a little jar of fleur de sel caramel, Christmas cookies, chocolate-covered pretzels, homemade hot chocolate mix, jams, biscotti, herbed salts… You name it!
There is no shortage of options. And who doesn't like to eat? Few people, really.
The Ricardos and Trois fois par jours of this world are there for you! Put everything in a nice Mason jar, and voilà, you’re done.
Don't have the time or the inclination to cook? You can find little treats in bulk at many zero-waste grocery stores. You can also go to your local chocolate shop or bakery to get truffles, fine chocolates, nougat, etc. Ask for them to be put in your own containers!
4. Offer homemade body products
Well, we couldn't skip this one! Haha! Our blog is overflowing with recipes for cosmetic products that make great gifts, whether it’s nourishing bars, bath truffles, a bath milk, a scrub, a lip balm, a whipped body butter, a face serum, etc.
For more ideas, check out our last two articles "5 gift ideas using repurposed items" and "6 handmade products to give as gifts."
Does someone around you already show an interest in making homemade products? We don't just have one, but now two perfect books for that: À fleur de pots, cosmétiques maison simples and Remue-ménage, produits ménagers maison.
5. Eco-friendly gifts
Are you a new fan of the eco-friendly lifestyle and want to influence those around you? Sometimes it just takes a little starting spark, like a pretty Swedish dishcloth, a homemade candle-making kit, a bamboo dish brush, a lovely natural handmade cream, etc. We have everything you need in our online store!
We’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU for all the love you’ve given us for years, thank you also for reading us, for answering the call, and for changing your habits one small gesture at a time.
We wish you Zen, stress-free festivities, and plenty of good times with your loved ones!
