We’ve got you covered with a list of conscious gifts to suit everyone this Christmas.
With Christmas in just a little over a month, you might be already planning that Christmas gift list. Physical presents, but we can reconsider the kind of gifts we make by taking into consideration their impact on the environment and communities. If nothing else, 2020 has taught us that time spent outdoors and with the people we love is valuable, precious, and fragile. We have all been made to feel more vulnerable and self-aware of how our lives are woven with how we treat our environment. So if you have never considered changing up Christmas traditions such as gift-giving before today but feel like something someone inside you is calling for a change, let us guide you with our top 10 eco-friendly Christmas gift ideas.
Edit:
Zaobao Lifestyle featured barePack in their Sustainable Gift Guide. 谢谢您!
对很多人来说，今年的圣诞节格外不同。翻天覆地的冠病疫情打乱了人们的生活，但正也是这次疫情，激发了许多人放慢脚步、放下偏见，也更懂得惜福，更加关心周遭的人、事、物。
Eco-gift idea #10, best for the beauty queen or king: "naked" beauty
There are tons of beauty products flooding the market that are vegan, cruelty-free, toxin-free.. and yes those are all important, but reducing our packaging waste (as you know, dear barePacker!) is important for our health too. Fortunately, many brands have looked at package-free versions in bar form or to refill. Places like Scoop and The Source have refill stations, so you can fill a pretty bottle and attach a hand-penned label, use some twine, and voilà. Alternatively, compile a set of colourful soaps to mix and match at Lush and embrace the art of furoshiki to save on using a box.
Eco-gift idea #9, best for your arty friend: hands-on creative experience
We've maybe had more time at home, but a lot of us are feeling the unwelcome bad tendency of the blurring lines and boundaries between work and personal life - both in space and time. Indeed, the home office we almost all have (even a makeshift one with the dining table or dresser as our desk) doesn't allow us to easily transition out of work-mode and into relaxation. So get out, and find some creative hobbies you can only do outside. Classes are a great gift for couples who can go together, or a friend whom you know would go with you (great excuse to gift yourself). Try your hand at pottery or soap making. And if you’re looking for artworks to gift check out Refind’s collection of repurposed glass, locally made!
Eco-gift idea #8, for the sporty ones (or kids): a taste of the thrill
Why not? This is great for kids too, and to switch up some of the usual sports activities they do with something a little more daring. While Singapore might not sound like the destination for extreme sports, you can book a class of wakeboarding, scuba-diving, and even flying. Best for siblings who can tire themselves out while the parents watch and get some time to themselves. Talking of which...
Eco-gift idea #7, best for couples: Aromatherapy workshop
A gift for them to spend quality time together in a relaxing environment. Besides getting a voucher to spend on a massage using natural oils, you can also gift a box of essential oils and candles or a masterclass by Hush for them to bring home and wind down. It's an invitation for them to take tie out if they haven't in a while and take care of themselves, which will not be too much after a stressful year of uncertainties.
Eco-gift idea #6, best for the foodies: Instagram-worthy baking class
We all have a friend who likes food, and takes pictures of everything, everywhere. Now your idea of being interested in food might be limited to enjoying it and just uploading the snaps onto the ABillionVeg app in exchange for some dollars to donate to animal charities (yes, that's what they do!). But some for some, watching Masterchef makes them long for a kitchen where they can replicate those Insta-worthy cakes, and let's face it, most of us just don't have space in our HDB kitchens for 2 ovens, a KitchenMaid, and yoghurt maker. So instead, gift them a baking or cooking class to enjoy all the messy fun without having to clean up afterwards.
Eco-gift idea #5, best for mums and babies: homemade bath tea
Yikes, it can be hard to get baby things that you know won't end up being too small, too played with, or too grubby after a few weeks, and at the same time, second-hand gifts are largely perceived as not gift-material (despite making complete sense given baby stuff doesn’t get used for long). Offer something unexpected like some baby bath tea from the store or that you made yourself to fill a jar with a pretty name tag and instructions. Safe and relaxing for babies and parents alike.
Eco-gift idea #4 best for the gardener: the chic composter
Composting has never looked so chic! Minimalist, modern, and odourless, the Living Composter is perfect for a busy household — it can process more than 1 kg of food a week! Sleek and sustainable composting, now that's a worm farm we can welcome home. If you grow a bit of herb on your balcony or have a home-garden, using your compost will guarantee you healthier soil, and more nutritious produce for pesticide-free meals. :
Eco-gift idea #3, best for grandma/pa: time with you
There is nothing more special to your loved ones than time actually spent together. You don't have to do anything special, it could be watching a film together, going through photos of their life, a trip to the park, having tea and listening to their stories to learn more about their life before you were born or helping with a task they've needed to get done but not found the motivation to start alone.
Eco-gift idea #2, best for your pets: vegan treats
They're part of the family, and you couldn't imagine life without them. But they have 1000 toys already and we all know that a way to a 𝗆̶𝖺̶𝗇̶ dog/cat's heart is through their stomach so grab some Barking Good treats to pop in their stocking or make your own such as these vegan peanut butter drops.
Eco-gift idea #1, best for the change maker: memberships & certificates
Companies like Seastainable in Singapore offer something a little different that would appeal to that passionate scuba-diving or hike-loving friend who is always bringing up the problem of the plastic waste they see in the ocean and among wildlife. While we can't rely on off-setting our carbon footprint, these little gestures are a great way to complement gifting barePack. At just $36 for a whole year, gifting a barePack App membership (available on both Apple Store and Play Store) is a meaningful way for your family and friends to perpetuate their sustainable efforts all year round.
And if you are planning on buying new for whatever reason you can register for the Virtual Green Christmas Market.
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