Are you looking for a unique gift for someone’s birthday or a couple’s anniversary? Perhaps you’re getting ready for the holiday season. No matter the occasion, shopping for presents can often be a frenzied affair, usually consisting of hastily shipped gifts. Many people tend to choose items that recipients will never end up using. That’s why it’s so much better to go for functional and sustainable presents.
What Does Sustainable Gifting Even Mean?
The key is in the name – to sustain. This refers to something enduring and long-lasting. Choosing gifts that are carefully made and designed to last is important – for loved ones and the planet. Not only this but choosing items for recipients that will be useful and serve a purpose in their lives ensures we are avoiding adding to the ever-increasing problem of mass consumption and the throw-away culture.
So, how do you go about choosing your sustainable gift? Here are our top five tips:
1. Buy Once, Buy Well
Luggage, umbrellas, flashlights, and even socks are a few examples of items that you will only have to buy once in your lifetime. That is if you choose correctly and smartly. You never have to keep spending your hard-earned money on products that wear out or break down quickly.
Buying less and buying better will not only save you money, but it is also the easiest way to help the planet. It reduces your carbon footprint whilst letting you break the cycle of wasting dollars for throwaway stuff. This is true with sustainable gifting.
For example, you’re looking to buy a cheap T-shirt. After one or two washes, that shirt will likely look misshapen and bumpy. Instead, pick a high-quality product. The cost may be steep, but if you consider the long-lasting benefits of the item, it’s a no-brainer.
2. Practical and Handy
The best gift is a practical item the recipient may not even know they need. Think of a personalised journal. With smart devices, many people choose typing on their phones overwriting on paper. Journaling has been proven to help create the time and space where we can process our thoughts and preserve memories better.
And can you believe that writing in a journal helps improve sleep and have a more robust immune system? This scientific study says so. Please read our blog to learn more about the benefits of journaling.
3. Durability and Reusability
If you or the gift recipient intends to move towards zero-waste living, one step to achieve this goal is to live by the five Rs of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, Repurpose, and Recycle. One small step that follows the principle is already a massive contribution to a better future.
For example, you buy gifts that use recycled materials, such as cardboard and paper. Instead of buying new notebooks, pick one that allows you to reuse the cover and refill it with new pages.
A Journaling paper is an excellent example. Unless you’re using coloured or glossy paper, old paper is safe to use as mulch. You’ll be glad to know that paper has a low amount of toxic materials, particularly when compared to grass and straw, which are commonly used in composting. Most of the time, you won’t want to get rid of your old notes, so you can store them for future use, which reduces the need for paper disposal.
Another great benefit of a refillable journal is that it is not a single-use item. That means you do not contribute to the throwaway culture, which eases your guilt as you minimise waste.
4. Sustainable Packaging Materials
Your gifts packed in sustainable materials may appear to have a negligible effect on the environment, but it is a positive step nonetheless. It can also encourage the recipients to do the same thing. Collaboration, as we know, is no longer an option but is imperative towards the future of the planet.
5. Supporting Local Businesses
Reputable businesses, such as Something for Keeps, provide quality products with a focus on sustainability. We consider environmental impact at all stages, especially during the production process. Purchasing from brands like ours allows you to participate in the ongoing work towards zero waste. That’s why when you receive our journals and other items, they come in sustainable packaging from renewable resources with a reduced carbon footprint.
Whether the recipient is a fan of sustainable items or a minimalist, our personalised journals are among the best gifts you can give. Start shopping today!