Nearly the end of the year again, which means there could be a little gift giving to be had. I love this time of year, but I don’t like the ridiculous amount of spending that usually goes along with it. You don’t have to spend oodles of money, you really don’t. Here are a few ideas to help with a greener tinged Christmas at your place this year.
1/ Tiny presents of tiny succulents in tiny tea cups, (or espresso cups as this little fella is.) You can easily do this with a little cup that may have a chip or a crack in it- stalk op shops, church fetes, roadside discards for succulent holding inspiration. The options are limitless, (have a peek at google images.) Think green, think succulents.
2/ Something for the inspired reader in your life- Changing Gears: by Greg Foyster
3/ Assistent Original– now this is a pricey gift for Christmas, but if you are serious about a kitchen investment that is going to cater for every kitchen whim you have- it’s a worthy investment, as cooking from scratch is a commitment and you want to make it as easy as possible. For bread baking nerds, look no further.
4/ Digital Subscription to a ‘green’ magazine- inspire someone with some idea thumping pages- There are oodles to pick from, and then even more.
5/ Subscription to your locally based farmer friendly fruit and veg box. Foodconnect– Whole Larder Love– Local Harvest etc.
6/ Sign a bloggy friend up to do Blog with Pip– they will love you to the moon and back, (and probably back some more; this course is AWESOME.)
7/ If you don’t have a crafty hand yourself, have wander over to etsy– Buy direct from someone who does and support a small time crafter with a passion for handmade goodness.
8/ Sign a loved one up for a Milkwood Permaculture course, (or a locally grown Permaculture course in your area.) They will be brimming with inspiration afterwards, and that…is always a good thing.
9/ For the tea drinker- love chai, love tea, enamel cup and a little ginger bread bites for dunking in. A simple present that is 542 times better than buying something bland in a generic department store.
10/ Or using the same gingerbread recipe, kid version style.
11/ Put together a little handmade food hamper. Jam’s, biscuits, brownie, cake, pesto, bread- the options are endless. If you team that up with a little second hand store basket (50c church sale thank you very much!) and you’re in Christmassy business, (always nicer than a gifted pair of synthetic, made in China, novelty boxer shorts…promise.)
12/ And if you still aren’t sure of what Uncle Roo and Aunt Bilby would like, make a donation on their part. There are so many charities to choose from in our collective corners of the world- choose one and your recipients will be so very thankful.
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For previous years eco Christmas gift ideas and wrapping see
eight eco friendly Christmas gift ideas
twelve eco friendly Christmas gift ideas
What a lovely post! Will be using some of these ideas for sure – good for birthdays too… x
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yes, definitely not restricted to Christmas ‘giftage’ 🙂
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I love all of these ideas and the gingerbread man is just gorgeous. I used to work with Pip on JustB xx
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Isn’t she the loveliest of the lovely!
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Awesome post and list! Really great ideas, I love your gingerbread man too. I cannot resist gingermen, each year I think I will bake something different and every year I come back to making gingermen, usually little bags of tiny men!
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Oh they are so easy aren’t they Jane. I always keep coming back to them as well. They are easy to bake and then easy to dress up or down. (I still havent found the courage to make a house though.)
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You’ve got some brilliant ideas here Brydie – thanks so much for sharing them. I’m quite charmed by the little succulents in the tiny cups, such a sweet gift.
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Have a look at google images Amanda, there are some simply stunning ones you can out together depending on your cup and succulent. Easy gift
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Fantastic ideas!!
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Thanks Jo!
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Have ‘done’ the personalized food hampers and subscriptions for years most successfully ~ have made donations also, but you have to pick the recipients: some ARE taken aback that THEY do not get a present 🙂 ! May I REALLY suggest that you buy a few copies of Greg Foyster’s ‘Changing Gears’ tho’!!!! I am just finishing mine and it has really made me think in so many ways ~ such an easy and fun read besides – I plan to get a few more copies to send to likeminded friends here and overseas! Thank you Brydie for having previewed it before!!!!!
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Love it Eha! That’s awesome that you enjoyed the book so much 🙂
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Oh these are all great ideas! I always plan to try and make more presents, but it never happens.
The little succulents in mugs are adorable.
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Get cracking Reanna, you’ve got lots of time up your sleeve 🙂
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Uncle Roo and Aunt Bilby hey? You do make me smile 🙂
I love this post B, as I love them every year. So much wonderful inspiration, of just the right type. I have Changing Gears as a present request for myself, too! xo
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Excellent Kari! I know you’ll love it.
(Uncle Roo and Aunt Bilby, everyone has one right?…sometimes I run out of names.)
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What a great post – I’m all over the eco stuff :D. Thanks for reminding me about etsy – totally getting on there for a present for the girlfriend!
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lots of wonderful goodies to be found on Etsy Nick.
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Great ideas. I love the succulent in a tea cup idea, what a fab idea for vintage cups that don’t have saucers.
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Some of those vintage cups are truly beautiful, even if they have a crack or two
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Fabulous ideas! Thanks!
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glad you liked Mimi
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I adore that mixer but am totally in love with that little succulent. Anyone out there who feels like loving me enough to send me off to a Milkwood course feel free to slather me with philanthropic adoration… I am waiting for my close up Mr Deville! ;). Love this list and like you, we will be keeping Christmas low key. If you don’t even have a reason for the season why bother hocking yourself and your kids to the eyeballs with debt? Gotta say a day of overstuffed overstimulation isn’t remembered when come Mid January and mum and dad aren’t speaking any more for the next 3 months…by the way…if that wonderful, generous benefactor with the Milkwood course could see their way clear to throwing in one of those gorgeous retro mixers, I will perform the rare and wonderous narf7 happy dance but only for their eyes (gotta keep SOMETHING for the wedding night! 😉 )
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Narf you crack me up. I love seeing your comments in my feed 🙂
Fingers crossed for your mixer and Milkwood course.
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Yeah, I just need Daddy Warbucks to shine a little love in my direction 😉
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Cute ideas!
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Great Ideas! I always try and do homemade gifts every year but I think the family are getting sick of handmade tea-towels and strawberry jam!!
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Great post and wonderful ideas! Love being inspired to think up some different presents than the standard stuff everyone else buys. Your photos are beautiful as always!!
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Some great ideas here Brydie- I especially like the veggie box idea!
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Lovely ideas!
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I’ve been mindful to Shop Local this year but I’m also planting up humble tin cans with home grown herbs and decorating the tin with scraps of fabric, old gardening magazine articles and string! I’m going to blog about it soon!
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