Sustainable Christmas Gifts

Photo: WWF

Christmas season is here and its obvious for anyone going into any larger mall or visiting a shopping area. We keep on breaking records of consumption even though it’s clear that our over-consumption in Sweden needs to stop. But does that mean we can’t celebrate Christmas and give any gifts at all?

I love to give and receive but only if the gifts are personal and well thought of. Here are my tips on what gift-lovers can do without hitting the ceiling of what our planet can handle:

• Give charity to someone - why not donating to WWF to save our oceans?

• Give home-made gifts - kombucha, lotions, scrubs and candles. It’s personal and very appreciated

• Give a service - a card with an invitation for dinner? Or why not a yoga-class if you’re a yoga teacher?

• Give things from second hand - you’ll find plenty of puzzels and toys online and in stores and children don’t really car. Even porslin and other things for people’s home.

• Give an event - cinema, massage or why not a ticket to the opera?

• Give something they loved to eat - Fairtrade and organic chocolate for the chocolate lover, species for the ones who always cook or a sparkling non-alcoholic wine for the people who always invite for dinner.

• Give something they really really need - ask several times what they’re planning to buy for themselves 2020. Some people regularly use facial lotions, schampoo or underwear. But make some proper research if this is something they truly want.

• Give a book - okey, E-books might be better depending on what you measure. But I love books and if you happen to know their taste I think books are good idea. People read to little and we should educate ourselves and read more. Why not a book about sustainability?

Out of ideas? People in Stockholm - visit Ecosphere at Hornstull and you’ll find something.