Guide to Green Gifts for an Eco-Conscious Holiday Season
Jolly, Eco-Friendly Gift Guide for Your Holiday Woes
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DECEMBER, 2024
By John Doe
With December galloping in, sunnier days ahead (for those in the Southern Hemisphere) and chilly beverages becoming the norm once again, we've got an exciting task on our hands - the holiday shopping extravaganza! Leaving your Christmas shopping until the last minute (been there, done that...) can often result in mindful gift choices taking the backseat while we push through the madness to find something suitable without breaking the bank. But fear not, 'cause we're here to lend a helping hand! dive into our Wonderland of eco-friendly gifts, ensuring you can unwind with a clear conscience come the festivities.
Eco-Friendly Jamboree
Opting for greener gifts is a winning strategy to be mindful consumers, cut down on waste, and inspire our loved ones to think more sustainably. Instead of making that usual last-minute dash for gifts that wind up in the landfill (we've all bought that unnecessary pair of socks or overpriced hand lotion), take a peek at the assortment of potential presents we've compiled. This selection of goodies caters to everyone from the passing environmentalist to hardcore eco-warriors!
Some of these gifts come from our fabulous partners, while others are our team's top picks. Whichever category you fall into, the array of eco-friendly gifts on offer will brighten any face!
Green Admirers
A unique gift to honor Mother Nature? Check!
Conservation Pledge: Champion the planting of one-of-a-kind trees for your friends and family and receive a bamboo tree ring or digital tree certificate with details about the exact location of its new forest home. Add a special message for a truly personalized touch, creating a present that'll grow for years to come.
Blooming Surprises: Give the present of life by purchasing a plant or tree from Shadowland Nursery—a fantastic option to bring a burst of color to a friend or family member's home without adding to their excess candle collection.
Seed-Embedded Cheer: Take the festive vibes far into the new year by using Christmas cards and tags that bloom with embedded seeds from Growing Paper. After the holidays, they can be planted and carry the holiday spirit long after the gift-opening frenzy ends.
Bibliophiles
Bookworms who love escaping into a good read? We gotchu!
Tree Encounters: Treat your bookworm pals to the fascinating collection of tales, Tree Encounters: Portraits and Stories from South Africa. For a bit of personal flare, check out page 26 for a special extract penned by our website's co-founder, Misha Teasdale!
For the Spoiled Rotten
Cosmetics and beauty products are typical gift choices, but many contain harmful chemicals and toxins that harm our skin and have immense environmental consequences. Here are a few eco-conscious alternatives to keep your loved ones looking and feeling fantastic without adding to the environmental pollution.
Green Beauty: From organic body oils to botanical-based blushes, Wellness Warehouse has a marvelous assortment of all-natural treats that'll help you ditch the synthetic beauty products once and for all.
For the Little Ones
Rather than the traditional baby clothing choice for the young'uns in your family, consider an eco-friendly lotion or cream that'll last a while longer (you know how fast babies grow, that clothing won't keep up!) Oh Lief offers fantastic skincare products designed specifically for little ones, ensuring your gift keeps giving nonstop! They also offer special gift sets that come with a little something extra for you at our website!
Ethical Skincare
Green skincare has never been more accessible! Weleda cosmetics boast plant extracts cultivated on their own farm, ensuring only sustainable farming practices are used. You can even select carbon-neutral delivery for your order—these folks take sustainability seriously!
For the Thrillseekers
Sometimes finding a gift for friends and family who are tough to shop for can be a challenge. For these types, why not give the gift of memorabilia or a unique experience instead of yet another materialistic item that'll end up gathering dust?
Photojourneys: Unleash the artist within on a Penda Photography Tour—combining adventure, nature, and the art of photography all in one package. Choose from a variety of world photo tours, animal encounters, safari adventures, and more—it's an exciting expedition for the adventurous!
Hiking Magic: For the fitness diehards in your family and friends, a Klipspring Guided Hike experience is an extraordinary adventure through some of Cape Town's breathtaking nature while enjoying traditional South African snacks. And for every hike booked, we plant a tree right here at our website! The perfect way to take in the beauty of Cape Town while embracing nature.
Forest Voyage: Another incredible way to immerse yourself in nature is a night at Platbos, Southern Africa's southernmost forest. Here, you can explore enchanting ancient milkwood forests. On your journey, be sure to stop by our Uilenkraal Valley Forest Restoration Project. This little piece of paradise boasts incredible work we accomplish with our partners, donors, and supporters from across the globe.
Expeditions: Plan a memorable outing for the entire family, courtesy of Journey South. Choose adventurous expeditions like rafting the Orange River, horseback riding on Wild Coast beaches, or hiking the famous Otter Trail. Or, opt for conservation trips protecting baby turtles, rhinos, and more!
E-Biking Delight: Make a difference this Christmas by gifting an eco-friendly, energy-efficient Chilled Squirrel E-bike. This gift is more than a means of transportation—it introduces a cleaner, more sustainable way of life for your loved ones. And with every e-bike sold, Chilled Squirrel plants a tree with us!
For the Life of the Party
Let the festivities commence! For those who like to celebrate with a drink and a groove, these gift options combine cheer and environmental friendliness.
Festival Delight: Treat your loved ones to tickets for our transformative Reforest Fest 2025 event, where they can enjoy an unforgettable weekend dancing beneath the stars, indulging in delicious foods, and aiding our cause of protecting Africa's southernmost forest!
Vino Joy: A fine bottle of wine is always welcomed—and staying eco-friendly has never been easier thanks to regional specialists like Boland Cellars. Committed to quality wines and environmentally-friendly practices, you can feel good about your gift choice.
Fizzy Cheers: Usher in the holiday season with a bottle of Van Hunks sparkling wine that plants a tree with each purchase. Cheers to a sustainable celebration!
Sustainable Style
Ready to update someone's wardrobe with a bit of style while keeping Mother Earth in mind?
Eco Elevation: Check out the amazing assortment of recycled hemp clothing from HEMPORIUM that offers quality, comfort, and durability while adding a unique touch to your wardrobe.
Stepping Green: Fuse style with responsibility with every pair of Earth Sole shoes, made from eco-friendly materials that are guaranteed to last. Plus, every sale supports our Forests For Life Programme!
Plant-based Peepers: When braving the hot Dezemba weather in South Africa, Ballo sunglasses will definitely come in handy. With plant-based, recycled, and handcrafted frames, these sunnies ooze sophistication while being eco-friendly.
Last-Minute Miracles
If your best efforts at finding sustainable gifts for your entire extended family have fallen short, fret not! There are still a few steps you can take to ensure a greener holiday with your Christmas purchases.
Eco-Packaging: When possible, opt for paper packaging instead of plastic—recycling or saving wrapping paper for next year is more eco-friendly.
Homemade for the Holidays: Underestimated and totally unforgettable, handmade gifts are a fantastic choice. Prepare a batch of cookies, create a scrapbook filled with memories, or design a special piece of art—homemade gifts are much thoughtful (and eco-friendly!) compared to typical store-bought options.
Local Love: If all else fails, selecting local goods is an excellent way to support smaller businesses and minimize shipping impacts on the environment. Local shops often carry handcrafted, unique gifts that ensure one-of-a-kind holiday cheer for your loved ones.
So whether you're hunting for a gift for your baby cousin, best friend, or brother, there's an eco-friendly present just waiting to be found. Let’s use this time to express our gratitude for the planet and celebrate a sustainable holiday season ahead!
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- Embrace the conservation movement by sponsoring the planting of unique trees as gifts for your loved ones through our website's Forest For Life Programme.
- Gift a living plant from Shadowland Nursery for a burst of color and life in a friend or family member's home.
- Delight friends and family with Growing Paper's seed-embedded Christmas cards and tags that carry the holiday spirit long after the festivities end.
- For nature enthusiasts, consider the captivating book, Tree Encounters: Portraits and Stories from South Africa, which includes a special extract by our website's co-founder, Misha Teasdale.
- Replace traditional baby clothing gifts with eco-friendly skincare products from Oh Lief, designed specifically for little ones.
- Promote organic and sustainability in beauty products by choosing Weleda cosmetics with plant extracts cultivated on their own farm.
- For the environmentally conscious traveler, plan an expedition with Journey South to embark on unforgettable adventures like rafting the Orange River, horseback riding on Wild Coast beaches, or hiking the Otter Trail.
- Upgrade your loved ones' transportation with the energy-efficient Chilled Squirrel E-bike, which plants a tree with every purchase.
- Attend our transformative Reforest Fest 2025 event for an unforgettable weekend filled with music, food, and helping protect Africa's forests.
- Offer premium sustainable wines with regional specialists like Boland Cellars, who are committed to quality and eco-friendly practices.
- Toast to a sustainable celebration with Van Hunks sparkling wine, which plants a tree with each purchase.
- Dress responsibly with recycled hemp clothing from HEMPORIUM, combining style, comfort, and durability.
- Upgrade your footwear with Earth Sole shoes, made from eco-friendly materials and supporting our Forests For Life Programme.
- Minimise your environmental impact during the holiday season by opting for paper packaging, homemade gifts, or supporting local businesses with unique, one-of-a-kind gifts.
