Christmas is magical and we want to share some great gift ideas that are sustainable, memorable and will create much-loved presents. Things that you can make yourself, are second-hand, experiences that will last a lifetime or donations are ways we can gift this Christmas and make a contribution to help our planet!
These are our tips for Sustainable Christmas Gift Ideas:
1.) Buy less this Christmas!
Why not agree to a limit that you and your family will spend, or when buying think of what do you need, want, can wear or can read!
2.) Buy second-hand or home-made Christmas Gifts.
This really supports creating less waste! You’d be amazed at what you find in Op-Shops! Furniture, clothes, jewellery, handbags, nick-nacks… you’ll find something for everyone while doing your part for the planet and saving money too! Win-Win for everyone!
Home-made Gift Ideas – great ideas, simple and very personal! These can include baking a yummy bread, make your own Jam from seasonal fruits. If you feel like it, give making cheese a go. Or even create your own advent calendars or gift a nice photo.
Visit Op-Shops in your local area or our Green Connect Op-Shop in Bellambi for some amazing gifts.
3.) Buy sustainable!
Think about alternatives to plastic (zero waste), sourcing toxin-free products while still finding products that are stylish, practical and safe! Here are some examples:
Stainless Steel Pegs from Activated Eco or Shop Naturally
Lunch Boxes and other items for work or school
Body & Beauty, Home Decor and other items – Biome offers a selection of items
Check out local businesses that offer great sustainable gifts like Flame Tree or Taylors Grocers in Thirroul & Wollongong or the Upcycle Studio in Bowral
4.) Let’s Experience things together!
Instead of buying ‘Stuff’! spend time together with family and friends – one of the best gifts to give this Christmas. Take out some time and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Plan an excursion – send a homemade Christmas card and tell your friend what you will be doing with them, for example, “Let’s go for a beautiful bushwalk and a picnic! I will bring a picnic for us to enjoy!” or “Let’s go to the beach, play a game of Viking Kubb (you need to check this game out) and I will bring a picnic!“
Outdoor activities – such as Kayaking, Fishing, Snorkeling, Surfing or SUP (Stand-Up-Paddleboard) lessons
Book Tickets for shows at Wollongong Comedy, Merrigong Theatre, WIN Entertainment Centre, Anitas Theatre and many more…
Book a workshop that will increase your interest with The Rumpus, Green Connect or find out What’s On in Wollongong and surrounds
Still looking for a great way to support our planet and would love to find a good cause to gift a donation?
5.) Donate goods to someone in need! How can you do that?
Create your own reverse advent calendar by taking a box and adding one item a day from home that you would like to give to someone in need. At the end of the month gift this box to a person or charity!
Buy a goat from Oxfam!
Buy a chicken for the Green Connect Farm!
Donate food to a local community centre or a food shelter – Food Bank, Need a Feed (Bulli),OZ Harvest (comes to the Illawarra twice per week) or other local organisations!
6.) Donate money on someone’s behalf to organisations such as:
@warrenkeelan
Green Connect – support the efforts to grow fair food and reduce waste.
SCARF Refugee support – help refugees in the Illawarra establish a sense of belonging!
World Vision – to help vulnerable children!
Oxfam – help fight poverty!
Promote animal welfare and support RSPCA or WARN (Wollongong Animal Rescue Network).
Check out Take 3 for the Sea – protect wildlife & the planet from plastic pollution!
The Ocean Clean Up – The largest Ocean Clean Up through technology collecting rubbish from ocean and rivers!
Surfrider Foundation Australia – support the protection of Australia’s ocean and beaches!
We at Green Connect really hope to have inspired you with a different take on gifting this Christmas! If you have some time, please let us know what you did and send us a photo. Nothing makes us smile more than to see what we as a community can do.
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