4 steps to more sustainable gifting this Christmas

Eirlie Chisholm gives us her positive tips for a more ethical approach to Christmas shopping

Ditch commercial wrapping paper.
My favorite thing, from even before having children of my own, was to receive presents wrapped in artwork made by my friends’ children. I’m not sure there is anything more special than encasing a gift in young children’s uninhibited early art exploration. Now that my boys come home from nursery with their own pieces I have a stockpile of artworks, ready for wrapping. Also, to finish why not secure with a natural fibre twine, or biodegradable tape. If you don’t have an excess of artworks on hand, you can often find scarves at charity shops that would also make beautiful, affordable and low-impact wrapping.
Shop at Christmas markets
You know, the local ones held town squares and halls all over from late November onwards (not the big commercial ones). These are a winner for so many reasons. You get to chat with the person who has actually created the thing you’re buying, hear how it’s made and where the components are sourced from. These small businesses are generally from the same area as the market so you’re supporting your local economy. Buying local also saves excessive packaging and transportation which means you’re also doing your bit to combat air pollution and global warming through negating carbon dioxide emissions.

3. Buy tasty gifts

There is no better time to dive into the world of delicious, indulgent food and drinks than Christmas.We need to eat, so why not give the gift of some extra special food that someone might not regularly buy for themselves? It doesn’t have to be crazy - an unusual chutney from the farmers market, a special tea blend, a local ale brewed somewhere special to you or even an indie biz coffee/brownie subscription - the gift that keeps on giving!

4. Mix practicality with presents

Maybe I’m boring, but I love mixing practicality in with gifts, particularly for children. I think it definitely seems less wasteful to give them ‘things’ that have more than one use. Clothes are a favorite for this, but also toiletries like handmade soaps and bath bombs (which help get my two into the bath!), craft and education kits. I love to support fellow indie businesses whose values align with mine, so buying clothes, accessories, empowering art prints and books to give as gifts fit perfectly with this. The lovely knock-on effect of this is whenever my children wear these special clothes, for example, they tell me proudly who it came from. It’s a lovely reminder for the child that someone they love gifted them their cool t-shirt, but also gives their item special value, and they in turn treasure it even more.

My Tips for…

Christmas markets

Pedddle is a good resource for markets all over the UK and they have Christmas ones listed already www.pedddle.com/

Crafty Fox is always a biggie www.craftyfoxmarket.co.uk

Esty Made Local are all over the UK www.etsy.com/uk/local

My Tips for…

FOOD

Borough Market – for anything! Check out the Christmas puddings and don’t forget to take a reusable cup so you can enjoy mulled cider as you browse ;)

Mrs Bell’s Brownies are packaged in a lovely metal tin mrsbellsbrownies.com/shop/brownies/brownie-club-3-month-subscription

Perky Blenders coffee perkyblenders.com/pages/subscriptions

Epping Good Honey for delicious local London honey www.eppinggoodhoney.co.uk/

Villages Brewery Deptford for independently brewed beers www.villagesbrewery.com

My Tips for…

Indie businesses

Telling Tales book shop – currently housed on a canal boat in London!! tellingtales.com/

Billy Goats and Raincoats – rainwear for kids and adults made from discarded festival tents www.billygoats.co.uk

Ink and Tot – Hannah has just launched customised adventure maps – you can basically build your own map of your family’s favourite spots into a gorgeous work of art. So special inkandtot.com

Young Double – Rox creates the coolest clothes and even cooler craft kits for kids from upcycled materials. www.youngdouble.co.uk/category/craft-kits

Little Wise Toys – Made in the UK for emotional development and growth www.littlewisetoys.com

Eirlie is founder of fashion and lifestyle brand Over All 1516. Find out more about her in this issue’s Meet the Makers series, and at her website https://overall1516.com or on Instagram @Overall1516 You can also download the first two chapters of her ethical shopping guide for free by signing up to her mailing list.