The holidays can be stressful. You’re spending way too much money and never have enough time to accomplish all your tasks, see everyone you need to or attend everything you’re invited to. You’re being pulled in five different directions, and the last thing you need to do is worry about what to buy for your brother-in-law who you really don’t jive with anyway …. So let us take some stress out of the equation! Below are seven gift ideas for the holidays that not only help you relax, they’re also good for the planet and ethically made.
- For your boss: don’t feel pressured to spend a lot of money here. A tin of high quality, fair trade, organic hot cocoa with a nice (recycled) bow and a quick card are more than adequate. Not only will this remind your boss to be sweet to you, it’s a reminder to slow down and enjoy the season. We love Equal Exchange’s line of hot cocoa!
- Your grandmother: there aren’t many people left who write handwritten letters, but your grandma is one of them. Show her you care by giving her some beautiful, personalized stationery made from 100% recycled paper. PLUS, at Paper Culture they plant a tree with every order, giving you the option to dedicate it to someone special. And when Grandma writes you a letter? Write her back!
- Your siblings: let’s be honest. They’re a pain in the neck, but they’re your pain in the neck. Show them you care without giving them too much sap in the process. Put a bow on a nice bottle of organic, environmentally sustainable maple syrup and then create a small coupon book good for redeeming three breakfasts with you. Life is busy, and unfortunately that means we sometime spend less time with the people who matter most to us. Make the breakfast at home together and you’ll enjoy the pancakes as much as you enjoy spending time together.
- Your significant other: Sometimes the best gifts are a practical luxury. Something that makes your life so much easier, but you’d never purchase for yourself. This year, give your significant other a box of eco-friendly cleaning supplies and then either a coupon to clean the house yourself or a certificate to a house cleaning service. Don’t pretend you wouldn’t love the same thing in return!
- For your parents: do you drive your parents to drink? Probably. So why not lighten the environmental load and give your parents their very own ethical wine of the month club? Give them twelve bottles of ethical wine and write a note on each one telling them how much you care. Bonus points if you tell them to call you when they crack it open for an evening of chatting. You drive them crazy, but they love you like crazy.
- For family that’s family, but you don’t really know: your sister-in-law is sweet, but you’ve never really bonded. Your new cousin by marriage seems cool, but you only met him at Thanksgiving this year. If you’re obligated to bring them a gift, go simple. Find a secondhand book store in their area and get them a gift card. In your card, tell them your favorite books and then ask them to follow up with you once they’ve purchased their new-to-them books. A fun get to know you project and gift in one! Bonus points because there is nothing more eco-friendly than reusing an already existing product!
Do you have other ethical gifts you love to give? Tell us in the comments!
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