The holidays are right around the corner, and you know what that means: ‘Tis the season for consumerism! I have been inundated by holiday gift guides the past few weeks, and I would imagine that you have as well. Regardless of what holidays you do or don’t celebrate, this is the time of year where we are all pushed to show our love for people in our lives by buying them things. I do believe that gift-giving can be a powerful way to show someone that you care about them if it is done thoughtfully. Unfortunately, most of us get overwhelmed and frenzied during the process, and what should be an act of love turns into one more thing on our to-do list.
As a kid, I never thought twice about all of the materialism that surrounds the holiday season. I used to build forts around myself with my Christmas presents every year, and I loved every minute of it. However, over time I have become one of the most vocal members of my family when it comes to buying less over the holidays. I am fine with purchasing a few gifts for my nieces and nephew, but overall, I am of the mind that everyone in our family already has everything we need, and then some.
So instead of giving you a holiday gift guide filled with traditional material gifts, I want to provide you with a gift guide with a twist, presenting a different set of ideas that are more friendly to both the planet and your wallet.
5 Affordable and Sustainable Holiday Gift Ideas
1. The Voucher
I think that a thoughtful, unique voucher or coupon is a great way to demonstrate that you listen to your loved ones and know what is important to them. Bonus points if it is handmade, but something using a computer template will work as well!
For the dog owner – Make a voucher to dogsit for a weekend or for a few days during a particularly busy work week.
For the foodie – Offer to make them the recipe of their choice for a fun, home-cooked meal.
For the significant other – Make a certificate to take over their least-favorite chore for a week. Cook dinner, fold the laundry, or whatever they most despise.
There are so many great ideas of things you can do for your friends and family. It doesn’t need to be groundbreaking. Just think about what they need and what you can provide.
2. The Subscription
Subscription services have gone way beyond newspapers and magazines, and are often not even for physical goods and services anymore. Here are just a few options to get you thinking:
For the music lover – Spotify Premium
For the hobbyist – Skillshare Premium
For the workout fanatic – ClassPass
For the news buff – New York Times digital subscription
Name an interest, and there is a subscription service that caters to it. A quick online search should turn up plenty of options for all kinds of services.
3. The Experience
Although there are certainly still material goods that I drool over and would love to own, over the years I have become a big fan of spending money on experiences instead. If you aren’t already on the experience train, it might be helpful to know that Dr. Laurie Santos, who teaches The Science of Well-Being at Yale, backs me up on this. Experiences provide more long-term happiness than physical things!
For the faraway friend – Find a virtual class (educational, crafty, or otherwise) that you would both enjoy. Take it together and discuss what you learned!
For the outdoor enthusiast – Go camping together. Offer to handle all the details of where to go, what to bring, trails to hike, etc.
For the cocktail connoisseur – Gift them a mixology course! They will learn tips and tricks from the pros, ranging from what pairs well together to the proper shaking technique.
Whether the experience provides education, a tangible takeaway, or just good memories, your loved one will be thankful for the chance to participate in your gift instead of simply unwrapping it.
4. The Donation
Making a donation in someone’s name can be a powerful way to support the causes that they care about. Here are a few ideas:
For the environmentalist – Make a donation to an environmentally focused organization that plants trees, cleans up waterways, or preserves natural areas.
For the animal lover – Contribute to a local animal rescue, spay/neuter facility, or animal rights organization.
For the hunger warrior – Support a local soup kitchen, food bank, or even an organization that helps eradicate food deserts.
If possible, donate to an organization in their community. National organizations tend to get more funding because they have broader name recognition. Take a little bit of time to do your research and see who is doing good work on a local level.
5. The Handmade Gift
What is a holiday gift guide without the suggestion of a handmade gift? Don’t worry if you aren’t crafty in a traditional sense! There are tons of DIY gifts that don’t require artistic talent.
For the sweet tooth – Bake some delicious treats. Cookies, muffins, cake, pastries, you name it!
For the sentimentalist – A framed photo of the two of you.
For the barista in training – A batch of my favorite cinnamon honey simple syrup for an indulgent at-home latte.
For the world traveler – A notebook dedicated to documenting their journeys. Encourage them to log their favorite cities, restaurants, hiking trails, hotels, etc.
No matter what gifts you decide to give to your loved ones this year, take the time to make conscious decisions about your choices and purchases. Giving ethically, thoughtfully, and sustainably is easier than you might think. Don’t be afraid to be creative, and most of all, have fun!
