GIFTS FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Gifts for Our Favourite People and the Best Planet
- A live potted Christmas tree, that can be
planted out after Christmas. This could be a native pine OR a large chillie plant full of chillies (for a Summer Christmas - southern hemisphere) OR a shrub that is full of flowers such as a rose (to make rose syrup and other delicacies).
- A packet/s of Seeds
- Subscription to a seed saving group, soft
technology magazines, organic gardening magazines, rare fruits association etc.
- A donation to a charity such as Tear or other like organisation on the recipients behalf.
- Tickets to see a show (there's little wrapping or waste, simply pop it in a hand-made card)
- photos of their childhood, family members and travels presented as a small non plastic 'poster'.
- Hand made compost bay
- Hand-made photo frames.
- Worm farm made from found materials
- a non disposable lunch kit with a thermos
or drink bottle, lunch box with separate compartments so
no wrap is required, cloth serviettes. You can add a few velcro fastners to make a cloth serviette into a durable, washable wrap.
- a real razor blade, not a disposable one.
- underarm deodorising rock salt crystal
- a fountain pen
- a cup to carry everywhere
- cloth nappies and a pledge to help hang them out.
- energy saving shower head
- walking shoes
- an eco-tour or eco-holiday voucher (you can offer to take them on a bush-walk or holiday or their choice)
- Durable garden tools
- books on organic gardening, composting,
hers and flowers, native species.
- Field guides on birds and local reptiles
- A garden pond with optional solar powered
fountain
- a fruit dryer
- a yoghurt maker
- rechargeable batteries with re-charger
- A tent and small, efficient camping
equipment. To encourage clean bush walking and adventure.
- Dried herbs and flowers from your garden and instructions on their use as a tea.
Locally handcrafted gifts are three way gifts - 1. to your
loved one, 2. to the planet, and 3. to your local artists and
economy.
- natural wool or angora sweaters, scarves,
hats, gloves, socks.
- Handkerchiefs or cloth serviettes instead
of paper tissues.
- handmade baskets, washing baskets, paper
waste containers, pot plant containers, picnic baskets.
- canvas string or cane shopping bags, ham
bag
- potted kitchen herbs in organic medium
- edible house plants such as sugar cane for
hot spots, mint, shallots, monstera vine.
- a basket of homemade ecologically sound
cleansers
- cosmetics and toiletries made from natural
ingredients and not tested on animals
- Gift voucher for nursery plants or
environmental products and courses.
- beeswax candles
- Homemade preserves
- hand-painted recycled glassware
- Organic Christmas Cake
- a homemade Christmas wreath of grapevine
and other home grown materials
- Blankets (cotton or wool) suitable for the
lounge and living areas
FOR CHILDREN
- Recycled toys (repainted bicycle, trike,
scooter, rocking horse) Use safe paints, preferable
organic paint products. These items could be antiques.
- Homemade cushions and bean bags with
environmentally friendly safe stuffing.
- a wooden loom and natural fabrics for
weaving.
- a dolls or action figures tent made of
recycled fabrics and stakes.
- Science series books by David Suzuki
- a homemade backyard swing or tree house, a
rope climbing aparatus.
- a small gardening kit, tools and seed
- Wooden or cane furniture
- Roller skates or bicycles to encourage
energy efficient travel
- Recycled or re-used paper fastened as a
book
- Craft books.
- Weather proof boots
- Pets such as ducklings and hens, Guinea
pigs or Rabbit in hutch to mow the lawn.
Wrap gifts in reuseable materials
shopping bags or teatowels, Biodegradable tablecloths, beach towel, picnic rug, bamboo placemats etc.