As you have noticed by my constant reminders, Christmas is coming! As I have already discussed how to be more organised and expressed how I want to focus on being more sustainable this year…next comes some gift guides! I originally published this list last year, but have updated it now with some new great ideas!

I have put together a couple of guides that focus on choosing gifts that are unique, show thoughtfulness and where possible are eco-friendly, support local business and help others.

I have included both “physical” gifts as well as voucher style presents. I feel like we have to get over the stigma that giving someone a voucher is not “nice”. To me, I feel this is a better option than someone getting a gift they may not use. It can encourage people to shop at places they normally wouldn’t and give them the chance to spend on themselves.

Seeing the amount of rubbish out on the streets around me (it’s bulk rubbish collection time) is a reminder that we simply have too much “stuff”. That being said, here are my ideas!

Unique and Eco Friendly Christmas Gift Ideas

For the Health Nut

• Fitness Voucher – purchase a mum with small children a voucher for fitness classes, or ebook on getting back into exercise after baby.
• Juice Cleanse – check out any local cold pressed juice companies to see if they have vouchers available (for Perth see Pure Glow Cleanse).
• Smoothie Packs – purchase some premade smoothie mixes from the Green Smoothie Co. You can purchase either the mixes or a gift card or subscription.
• Make your own (healthy!) chocolate packs  – Meraki and Co have awesome “make your own chocolate” boxes, which come with cacao butter, powder, rice malt syrup & a silicon mould so you can make your own chocolate – what a great gift!
• Foodmatters TV – purchase a subscription to their health documentary portal FMTV – “the netflix for health” as they say (I can vouch for how awesome this one is!).
• Ebooks – the varieties are endless here – some great suggestions are:

Cut the Chemicals Cookbook – preservative and additive free cooking
The Merrymaker Sisters – paleo inspired recipes
I Quit Sugar – sugar free recipes
Supercharged Food – sugar free recipes
Hands Free Mama – her book about putting down the phone!

• Printed books: Pete Evans Fast Food (I have Family Food which is also great) or Sarah Wilson’s new Simplicious book (I LOVE this!).
• Healthy Kitchen Utensils – a spiraliser, nut milk bag or smoothie drink containers.
• Organic Make-up and beauty products – try Eco Tan, Luk Beautifood (great lip gloss, nail polish and make up), Tigs & Boo (variety of brands and products), Bambi & Sammi (hair masques), The Sweet Beekeeper (organic face masques, soaps and skincare) and Self Organics (teas, bath salts, soaps and lip balms).
• Tea lovers – T2 Teas, Green Twig organic teas (Wanderlust is my fav), a teapot or a vintage tea set.
• Courses and Classes – raw food, cooking, yoga, pilates or a retreat are just some suggestions.
• A Goodness Me box – this company sends monthly goodie boxes that are organic, raw, gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, sustainable or vegan.
• Essential Oils – make up a starter kit with a diffuser and some nice oils such as Wild Orange or Lavender (if they need to relax!), throw in a lipgloss or even some toothpaste.

For the Stress Head {raises hand}

• A subscription to Headspace – an awesome meditation app, the only one I’ve ever used that I actually stuck too!
• A Mindful colouring book – there are heaps out there, this is just one suggestion. Head into your local bookstore to find some! Throw in some coloured pencils and you have a calming gift ready to go (might be needed for some christmas day)!

For the Person who has everything

• The Love Letter – buy a subscription to inspire someone.
• Journals – Kikki K has some great journals of all types.
• Vouchers for home services – cleaning, gardening, car detailing – anything!
• Red Balloon – for all sorts of interesting experiences. We just used a voucher we got last year for a lunch cruise on the river – it was awesome.

Charitable Gifts

• Kiva – buy a gift card so the recipient can choose a person to “invest” in!
• RSPCA – give a donation gift card to an animal lover!
• Zoo – Perth Zoo allows you to sponsor an animal, which is fun.

For more charitable gift ideas see this great post by Lauren from Life at Number Five!

For the Eco Warrior

• Think sustainable gifts – food covers, keep cups, glass containers, mason jars, water bottles – the list is endless!
• Vertical garden kits or hanging pots – grow herbs on your windowsill/kitchen bench
• Organic Gardening Courses – check your state for any that might be an offer.

For the Cook

Think of any kitchen accessories they may not have, look for some cute vintage or retro serving ware if they are into baking.

For the Crafty Type

Wool and the Gang – how about a voucher for patterns or wool?

For the Stationary lover

Gratitude Journal – again see Kikki K for some great ideas for journals you didn’t know existed!

Cute Stationary – I love K Gets Organised and Words with Heart.

A Diary – this post from Fat Mum Slim has some cute ideas.

For the Outdoorsy Type

Herb garden – purchase some herbs, cute gardening utensils and a sustainable gardening book.

For kids – get some mini gardening tools, gloves and some seeds and make up a gardening kit!

For the “Go to a Show” type

Tickets to concerts, festivals, the movies or performances.

For the Family

Memberships to Zoos, or theme parks, sporting events…whatever they are into!

 

Of course there are many, many more suggestions for gifts! Try and think about any problems/wants the person always talks about – and come up with solutions!

 

Hopefully I have given you some ideas that are a little unique and suited to everyone in your life! Check out my “not too crafty” homemade gift post as well.

 

And remember….

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill