Awww, you shouldn’t have.

Gift-giving that doesn’t cost the earth.

By FW

Gift-giving that doesn’t cost the earth.

By FW

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It’s hard not to buy, quite literally, into the Christmas spirit. When the shops break out their decorations and turn up the carols, it’s easy to get giddy with gift buying for our friends and family. It’s one of the reasons it’s called the festive season.

But there can be a downside.

Last Christmas, an Australia Institute survey found a third of respondents expected to receive presents they won’t use – many of which will end up in landfill. The estimated cost of this “Christmas waste” sat at around $921 million in 2023.

Growing awareness of this problem is why we’re seeing an increasing shift toward eco-gift giving as people aim to make their purchases less pricey for the planet.

Here at FW, we love this trend. It speaks to our mission as a B Corp – a business that’s been recognised internationally for social impact and sustainability. It’s an exclusive club but one that’s growing as companies become aware of the desire, especially among younger generations, to reduce waste and spend responsibly.

If that’s you, we’ve put together some ideas to help make the holiday season one that will fill hearts, not holes in the ground.

Experience Gifts

These not only make for a fabulous time, but they also leave lasting memories. Check out great workshops, classes or memberships your loved ones might be interested in – especially if they support local businesses. Tickets to events and performances are great too, along with annual passes to a museum, attraction or sporting club – just be sensitive when gifting a gym membership!

(Ahem, we have some amazing events and masterclasses you might want to check out too.)

Homemade Gifts

There’s nothing like the personal touch to make someone feel extra special. If you’ve creative talents, make something with your own hands like baked goods, crafts or artwork (bonus points if you recycle old wares to do so). Write a song, a poem or a story. Or create some custom crosswords or homemade games that’ll keep everyone entertained. These types of gifts can be highly cherished for years to come.

Second-hand Gifts

Op-shopping has gone from something we did in secret to something we boast about. There is something exciting about finding a truly unique item and paying mere pennies for it. It’s a double win! But wait, there’s more. Buying from op shops typically helps local charities, so your purchase also helps people in need. You can find second-hand goods online too on sites like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. You probably won’t be supporting a charity, but you will be saving things from becoming landfill.

Gifts with purpose

More than ever, people are seeking to live lives of purpose. They want to make a positive impact and are increasingly choosing to work and play in ways that support this. Giving a donation or a membership to a charity, not-for-profit or social impact organisation is a great way to recognise someone’s passion and support their cause.

Gifts that grow

Nothing says ‘good for the planet’ like planting a tree. Consider giving plants or seeds that will become flowers or food, whether for people or the native birds, bees and other wildlife. Go one step further and paint the pot for the plant. If you’re a gardening pro, you could also create little ‘how to’ guides to help those new to gardening become expert green thumbs. Plants create beautiful spaces and clean the air – helping our planet as well as our health and wellbeing.

Many of us put a lot of time and thought into the presents we buy, so don’t let it go – again, literally – to waste. As we put our Christmas lists together, let’s take a moment to decide whether our gifts are going to leave a legacy or end up in landfill. There are many wonderful ways to show we care that won’t cost the earth.