Christmas is almost here and with it comes the habit of giving gifts to those closest to us. However, it is important not to forget that there are ways to give presents that do not seriously harm the environment. It all depends on your choices: the search for local, organic, and sustainably produced products, as well as the option to wrap them in a more eco-friendly way – newspapers, recycled paper or old fabrics – causing the minimum waste, are a great alternative to conventional customs.
We have put together a list of six sustainable gifts to offer this Christmas. Get inspired by our suggestions:
- Artisanal soaps – Handmade, with natural ingredients and some even in vegan versions, it is a traditional and useful gift that can be given to anyone in the family – You can order from some Portuguese pages such as Amaciar-te, Azeitola and Daki.
- Children’s toy – Toys are part of children’s growth, helping their cognitive, social, and emotional development and appealing to their imagination. Why not offer an eco-friendly toy? It could be an interactive game, such as the Baby Loop X CRU.
- DIY Kit – Rolling up our sleeves to create something of our own and learn, at the same time, a new skill, is always fun. Give someone the opportunity to produce an accessory or plant their own garden at home. There are several DIY kits available on the site of Vintage For a Cause, to produce different home and personal accessories, or on the site of Life in a bag, for a cultivation experience.
- A refurbished device – The truth is that for many people Christmas is an opportunity to acquire a new technological device and start the year in style. To avoid further waste, why not opt for a used but in excellent condition one? You can find several refurbished devices on the sites of BackMarket or Swappie.
- A notebook – These accessories are always handy and never go out of fashion – it’s useful to have somewhere to write. You can opt for a biodegradable notebook produced with natural materials, such as the one from Papelarias Emílio Braga.
- Support an animal or environmental protection association – The defense and conservation of species and the environment is a very important task, and only with public support is it possible to sustain the mission of several Portuguese NGOs. If the person in question values these principles, make your contribution in their name or give that person the opportunity to sponsor an animal in need of help.
