Your Guide to Sustainable Gifting

It’s that time of year again, isn’t it? Some of you may be happily humming along to Christmas songs in the supermarkets, some may be eagerly awaiting the Christmas lights switch on… and let’s face it, some of you may be completely burying your heads in the sand!! Black Friday is usually the starting point for many of us- so whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying it any more. It’s time to think about Christmas shopping.

Forget white- this year, we’d love more of us to take on the challenge to make it a green Christmas. Consider this your very quick guide to sustainable gifting.

Why make it sustainable this Christmas?

Every year, an extra 30% of rubbish is produced and discarded throughout the festive period in the UK. We’re talking cards, wrapping paper, gift tags and unwanted gifts, to name just a few culprits.

If you consider the fact that we already produce too much rubbish as a nation (on average, person in England and Wales produces almost 500kg of rubbish each year), increasing that by 30% is just mind blowing! Add to this the fact that we spent a massive £6 billion last year on Christmas gifts- and not all of those were sustainable, long-lasting or useful.

This needs to change. We need to place more importance upon our environment- for the existence of all humanity, not to mention our beloved bees!

Are you up for the challenge?

Five easy tips for sustainable gifting

1.Get them something they actually want.

Ok, so asking your friends and family what to buy them isn’t exactly in-keeping with the magic of Christmas when it comes to surprising gifts, but it makes sense! Why spend lots of money on novelty gifts that they probably won’t use, and that will end up in landfill? A good way to keep an element of surprise is to ask for a list, and choose one thing from that list. That way your recipient is still in the dark about their gift, but at least it will be something they want! And if you’re shopping for a honey-lover, then we highly recommend our Adopt a Bee pack- makes for an unusual but sustainable gift!

2. Shop local and support small businesses.

Shop small this Christmas- it really is true that when you do, a small business owner will do a happy dance as a result! Even better if that business is local to you- cutting down on unnecessary shipping.

3. Do your research.

If you do plan to start your Christmas shopping around Black Friday, then it pays to spend a little time on research. Look into the brands that you love, and check our their eco credentials. Most will welcome inquiries if you can’t find what you’re looking for online, so don’t be afraid to ask. Read up on eco policies, what packaging they use and how much importance they put on keeping as small a carbon footprint as possible. By the way, if you’re looking for something cute to pop into the Christmas stocking this year, that isn’t made from or packaged in plastic- grab one of our gorgeous natural beeswax lip balms!

4. Consider doing Secret Santa.

We’ve all been there with a shopping list longer than your arm. But what if you only had a handful of gifts to buy this year? Secret Santa isn’t just for the office you know! Reduce the amount of actual shopping you need to do, set up a Secret Santa scheme!

5. Ditch the plastic!

There is already so much plastic out in the world, so why add to it? Steer yourself away from plastic toys and packaging, opt for natural/ eco friendly wrapping paper and maybe look into sending e-cards instead of forking out for a plastic-wrapped pack this year. Instead of gifts that come in plastic bottles, go for glass instead- like our gorgeous World Wide honey Gift Set perhaps?

Re-gifting: yes, or no?

It’s a huge YES from us! If you find yourself with the odd gift you’ve received through the year that you just didn’t have the heart to get rid of, then re-gift it. Eliminate the need to relegate it to landfill, give it a new life this Christmas! If you can reuse something, then please do- and not just at Christmas! Opt for reusable face coverings, bags and bottles. Make the changes now!