Every year I aim to buy the perfect presents for my friends and family. Sometimes, I find that special gift, but it often comes with a price. The shopping habits of consumers during the holidays soar each year, this proves to be harmful to our planet in terms of production, overconsumption, and waste. I want to make efforts towards living a more sustainable lifestyle, starting with my Christmas gifts this year. Hand-making gifts can be more meaningful than simply buying something, and it saves money. As a college student, buying several Christmas gifts is not ideal when my budget is tight. Here are ten sustainable and crafty Christmas gift ideas to try out this holiday season.
- Painting Glassware
Whether you use a set of glasses from your own cupboard or thrift a second-hand piece of glassware, customizing it with paint for a loved one is an easy and sustainable gift. I suggest wine glasses, vases, or small glass dishes to hold jewelry or trinkets. I suggest using Enamel or acrylic paint, and sealing it with an acrylic sealing spray (you can get this in a matte or gloss finish).
- Customizing picture frames
Similar to painting glassware, using a picture frame you no longer want, or buying one second-hand and decorating it with paint, stickers, or whatever you’d like makes for an excellent present. You can also include a meaningful picture along with the frame to make the gift extra special.
- Used book stores
If you are searching for the perfect present for a bookworm, try shopping at your local used bookstore instead of buying brand new. Used bookstores typically have unique or even antique book selections. From cookbooks to romance novels, this is a sustainable way to purchase presents for loved ones.
- Second-hand clothes and accessories
Thrifting clothes, jewelry, bags, and decor is an excellent alternative to buying brand-new things. It will save you money and help save the planet. A simple wash and disinfectant of these items is a simple way to gift items that feel brand-new. A fun thrifty gift idea would be to thrift an entire outfit including accessories for a friend. To take this gift to the next level, try embroidering or applying iron-on patches to make a second-hand garment unique.
- Second-hand decor
An alternative to thrifting clothing and accessories is buying second-hand decor. These items are easier to clean and can be easier to customize. Oftentimes, you can find a set of dishes, glassware, and other kitchen items. Other times, you may stumble upon a perfect lamp or vintage decor items that your friends and family may love. Some of my favorite items to thrift and gift are tea kettles, sets of mugs or glasses, paintings, wall decor, and anything music-related that I can find.
- Crocheting: coasters, scarves and more
If you have always wanted to learn how to crochet, or have been crocheting for years, making something simple as coasters or a scarf can make for a wonderful, low-cost, and crafty gift. This is a gift that can be made while watching your favorite Christmas movie or listening to your favorite podcast.
- Paintings, drawings, and more
Every year, my mom always asks me and my sister to paint her something. Even though I am not the most talented painter, every year I manage to paint something simple for my mom. I recently started making paintings for my friends, painting their favorite flower or bug. This is a personal, and simple way to make a sustainable and cost-effective gift.
- Handmade jewelry
As someone who always has loose stones and crystals lying around, making pendants for necklaces, or making rings or earrings can be accomplished with the right wire and the help of a YouTube tutorial.
- Mood boards
Cutting out pictures from magazines can be cathartic, and make for a deeply personal and unique gift. I suggest making this gift for close friends and family who you know well enough to choose a mood that fits their aesthetic.
- Spiritual
As someone who practices spirituality, I enjoy making friends and family spell jars, herbal tea blends, or even giving a free tarot reading. This is not for everyone, but if you do enjoy spiritual things, I highly recommend making spell jars with the intention of protection, friendship, or abundance for loved ones around the holidays.
While some of these gifts are more time-consuming than others, and some do require purchasing supplies, they are all way more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than buying every person in your life an expensive gift, or worse, buying cheap gifts from a sketchy website that delivers mediocre products, that come with unethical production practices. From fast fashion, child labor, prison labor, and companies under-paying their employees, choosing to make your gifts this year can be the first step to making a difference.