This Christmas, consider some plastic-free gift ideas.
Whilst we all love a gift that lasts a long time, it’s better not to be creating more plastic landfill that will take hundreds of years to break down.
Give someone an experience:
- a home-made voucher (or a bought one)
- a picnic
- a meal at their place or yours or a restaurant
- visit a garden together (eg. Rees Campbell’s native food garden in Wynyard)
- massage
- animal park / zoo
- ten pin bowling
- museum visit
- promise to buy them something from the CENTs network – goods or services
- tickets to a movie, music, or theatre
- offer to teach them something you can do
Give them something that helps them to be plastic-free:
- bamboo toothbrush
- metal / glass containers for food
- beeswax wraps
- cloth shopping bags
Wooden things:
- chopping board
- kitchen utensils
- small furniture: steps, table
- toys – blocks, train set, jacob’s ladder, etc
- wood carving
Leather things:
- football
- wallet
- belt
- shoes – or a voucher for a handmade shoes workshop
Something your grandma might have given you:
- tea towels
- soap
- socks
- hankies
Give to others (in the name of your friend / family):
- a charity who does work they appreciate
- an organisation who provides chickens, goats, fresh water, etc
- give time or service to others in your community who might need a hand
- give to charity in lieu of flowers at funerals
Food:
- hamper of local produce (careful with the packaging!)
- handmade goodies in glass jars
- tasty snacks in jars: nuts, dried fruit
Paper things:
- books (or offer to share your knowledge)
- magazine subscription
- origami paper and book
- journal, notebook
Ceramic things:
- mugs
- plates
Material things (cotton, wool, hemp, silk, linen = natural fibres)
- hand made or bought clothes and other items
- knitted jumpers, socks, gloves, scarves, beanies, etc
- knitted toys / dolls / teddy
- rope swing
- wheat pack
- cover for a hot water bottle
- cotton sheets
Something living:
- a low impact pet
- seeds
- plants (in a terracotta pot)
- fresh flowers (without a plastic wrapping)
White elephants:
- things you have in good condition that you don’t need anymore
Put your mind to it – what else can you think of?
🙂
Have a peaceful, safe, fun festive season.
CENTs trading in Tasmania is a great place to find local, hand made, plastic-free gifts.
Sunday 9 December 2018, 5pm at the RESEED Centre. Bring a plate to share for tea at 6pm.
