What to ask yourself before buying Christmas gifts
Photo: Olesia Buyar
It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the hysteria related to Christmas gifts. What to give to all the ones you love? How much should it cost and what to people truly want? We want to help you to calm down, take a few steps back and review the situation. Several news paper has already warned that this might be the highest sale ever due to sale trends in October and November showing increased sales after a long time of lower economic activity due to the pandemic. Swedish news papers also reported on an early Christmas sale this year. According to Swedish Trade Federation sales in Sweden is expected to increase with 3% compared to last year. Totally the sale is expected to be 21 billion SEK. Clearly this is an issue when we are already using more natural resources than what nature can regenerate and the use of resources must decrease.
This post is not only about sustainability for the environment and the people in the supply chain of the products we buy, but it is also about your personal sustainability. Because without inner sustainability, it will be hard to achieve outer sustainability.
Why do you buy gifts?
Before we go into the detailed questions of the purchase per see, make sure you understand why you buy the gifts. Is it because your family expect you to do it? How would you feel if you didn’t buy them gifts? Are you enjoying the process or is it just causing you stress? Do you give to the ones you truly want to give to or just the ones you “should give to”? To have an open conversation with the ones you normally exchange gifts, about how everyone feels, can give new perspectives. For example, would it be reasonable for several family members only to do something because one person likes shopping, giving and receiving gifts? Maybe, you will realise that most people don’t like it and it would be better maybe to celebrate in a different way? Dear to take the conversation and dear to refuse buying gifts if you don’t feel like it.
Gifts can come in so many ways!
You don’t have to buy physical gifts to one person at time. Here are a few options on other ways to do it:
The whole family only give one gift per person, something they really want!
You make or buy something that can be eaten during Christmas (who is not happy for a box of organic and fair traded chocolate?)
You give a giftcard to a local shop you know they would really enjoy (and you’re supporting your community).
You give an experience such as massage or a ticket to the cinema.
You give charity! Who doesn’t want to have Tigers saved for Christmas?
You give something you have created a painting, ceramics or jam?
You give your quality time and a surprise! They decide when you guys will do it (a sunset picknick with champagne?).
Buy a repair! Give a giftcard to a tailor or something similar. Always needed.
Write a letter and tell the person how much they mean to you.
If you buy physical gifts!
Make sure this is something the person really wants and will use! Make sure you can exchange it if not.
It’s better to be several people on something more expensive they really want and need instead of buying small things just as a symbol.
Give something of better quality that doesn’t easily break, buy something you know they will enjoy many years to come.
It’s absolutely okey and cool to buy second hand! Vintage cups, posters or a bag, who wouldn’t be happy about that?
Ask these questions to the company before making a purchase!
What is your company’s sustainability profile (ask for reports, policies and strategies, even if you won’t read them).
What are the environmental risks with this products and have you minimised the risks (lower water, chemical use, CO2 emissions etc.)?
What are the social risks with this product? Where is it produced and does the workers have a living wage?
Is it design to last for many years, can it be repaired and how? What have you done to reduce waste during the process?
How do you work for a diverse ownership, decision-making and workforce at your company?
What is the carbon footprint of the company and are your goals and efforts in line with the Paris Agreement?
Christmas is suppose to be a about love and connection. It is time to change the traditions from a consumption culture to a more slow, loving and kind one. Be good to yourself. Your worth is not it the products you buy!