Now that it’s November I think it might just be safe enough to publish a Christmas article. I don’t like adding to all the consumption hype around this celebration, but until sustainability becomes the norm, having one requires a bit of planning, which starting early helps.
This article is full of ideas for sustainable Christmas gifts to put in those stockings or under the tree this year. If you’ve any other suggestions let me know in the comments.
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photo via beevive.com
Before we get into the gift goodies, just a note about having a gift-free Christmas*.
I stopped giving gifts about 4 years ago, and it’s been wonderful, freeing up time and reducing stress, but over the last two years something has been missing. Despite having a plethora of wonderful Christmas traditions there’s been a certain flat-ness to the whole event.
Having reflected on the whole experience I’ve concluded that Christmas is a weird combination of novelty and familiarity and that if either is missing it just doesn’t feel right. Most of us create surprise at Christmas time in the form of gifts, but when you’ve decided not to go this route what other options are there? Ideas on a postcard please!
I’ll also report back on the outcome of any trials next year.
Now on with the shopping show;
How about a gift that keeps on giving is a bunch of Irish grown flowers every week, fortnight or month from Bunch Beag
Another idea for crafters are these beautifully make wooden seam and hem circles from UK based sewer Jenerates.
If you’d like more ideas check out my Sustainable Christmas Gift Guides from previous years;
- Sustainable Christmas Gift Guides (2020)
- Sustainable Ethical Gift Guide (2019)
- Sustainable Ethical Gift Guide (2018)
- Sustainable Ethical Gift Guide (2017)
Till next time
Elaine
*It’d be untrue to say that we don’t give any gifts at all. Santa still visits our house and the hubbie and I give each other edible presents, but other than that nada, zero, zilch. I explain how I gave up buying Christmas presents in this article
living lightly in ireland 
Check out “Spectral imaging for characterization and detection of plastic substances in
branded teabags” from UCDs own Professor Aoife Gowen. This comprehensive study from the Journal of Hazardous Materials addresses the levels of microplastics in six popular tea brands’ tea bags. It also demonstrates that microwaving your teabag greatly increases your exposure to microplastics.
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Thanks a mill for that suggestion. I will indeed check it out and edit the article to include it.
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