Christmas is a wonderful time for giving, and maybe this year it could be a time of giving back to the environment too! Maybe you want to make some plastic free swaps in the coming year or you know someone who does. Well, our volunteer, Emily, has compiled a list of eight plastic free gifts to give you a little inspo for your eco-christmas swap gifts!
- Reusable bags.
These are a FAB swap and you can get some really lovely ones. Maybe you could head to etsy or notonthehighstreet and order a personalised bag for someone this christmas- pop their favourite quote or their initials on.
You can buy them pretty much anywhere and range from only a few £ to ££!
2. Reusable waterbottles
This one of the easiest swaps to make and can be a fab gift for friends or family. Lots of companies offer personalisation and really funky patterns too, so great for kids or for a tailored gift to someone special!
These are everywhere, your local supermarket will stock some, or if you search online there are some great companies. They range from £ – ££!
3. Plastic free kitchen
Ok this might not seem the most riveting of gifts, but if you’re buying for someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, this might float their boat! Theres so many options out there for plastic free kitchen swaps, sponges, brushes, soap dishes, scourers. Am I the only one? Maybe, but its an idea!
These are pretty low cost and will like only be a few £ each.
4. Reusable coffee cups.
Who doesn’t love coffee? Or tea?! Whatever may be the hot drink of choice, a reusable coffee cup is one of the best swaps thats also super easy. It’s also a wide wide world of options, you could buy a metal one, a glass one, one made of hemp (who knows), or even one made by an independent potter.
These can make really lovely gifts if tailored to the person, and it will probably save them money too as lots of cafes give discounts when you use reusables. They range in price but your average cup will be ££.
5. Natural Soaps, bathbombs and salts.
A wonderfully scented world, natural soaps and bath accessories are on the rise. Why not head to your local zero waste shop or craft fair to source some locally made bath bits! These make really lovely pamper sets for your friends or family, and can be tailored to scent preference, gender, age etc!
Most bars will cost you a few £ but ranges depending on where you shop.
6. Cotton bread bags.
Do you know someone who loves that Saturday stroll to get fresh bread, or loves to bake their own? Well, reusable bread bags are lovely ways to transport bread and also store it at home to keep it fresh!
Available online and in your local zero waste shop, why not combine this with a bread making kit and recipe book to give a lovely gift this christmas. Ranging from £-££.
7. Reusable lunch box or bag.
This is a great gift for someone on the go or at school/uni. There are hundreds of options out there, from bamboo boxes, glass, Tupperware, and sandwich bags, and they all come in different colours, patterns and sizes.
You could pair this with some reusable cutlery and straws to gift a lunch set to someone whose on the go! They range in price (£-££) and are available pretty much everywhere!
8. Ceramic or Metal Herb/Vegetable Garden Name Stakes.
Do you have a budding gardener in the family or friendship group? Well, ceramic or metal name stakes for the garden are a fab way to gift something special this christmas that they’ll always remember you for as they garden.
Take a look on etsy or notonthehighstreet and you’ll find some lovely independent sellers producing these! They will probably cost you ££.
(All images sourced from Pinterest.)
