Making Christmas Shopping Mean a Little More This Year
Blimey, can you believe it's nearly that time again? The festive season is peeking around the corner, and while we absolutely love the magic of Christmas gifting, we've been thinking about how to make our presents mean a little more this year…
Here are some lovely ways to shop more thoughtfully this festive season.
Shop Local (and Meet Some Wonderful People)
There's something rather special about popping into local shops and meeting the people behind the products. Your local high street is probably bursting with independent retailers who put their heart and soul into choosing and making beautiful things. Plus, you're likely to find Christmas presents that aren't in every other shop in town.
Look for Those Special Certifications
Keep an eye out for brands that have gone the extra mile to do things properly. B Corp certification (like us!) means a company has been checked over properly to make sure they're doing good things for people and our planet. There are other brilliant certifications too - Fair Trade, Soil Association, and FSC are all worth looking out for.
Quality Over Quantity
Instead of filling stockings with lots of little things that might not last very long, why not choose one special gift that's been made to last? It might cost a bit more, but it's so much better than something that might end up... well, you know where.
Ask Questions (Really, It's Fine!)
Don't be shy about asking brands about their practices. Where do they make their products? How do they treat their workers? What materials do they use? Good companies love sharing this information with pride - we certainly do.
Think About Packaging
Here's a little behind-the-scenes secret: sometimes the wrapping can create more waste than the gift itself. Look for presents that come in recyclable packaging, or better yet, those that barely need any packaging at all. And when you're wrapping? Brown paper tied up with string really is one of our favourite things (and it looks lovely under the tree). In fact, our packaging looks so beautiful, the hard work of present wrapping is already done.
Support Independent Businesses
Small and independent businesses often put sustainability at their heart simply because they care so much about what they do. Plus, your purchase might just make someone do a little happy dance in their studio, warehouse or office - and isn't that a lovely thought?
Consider Experiences
Some of the best Christmas presents don't come in boxes at all. A workshop booking, a cooking class, tickets to a show - these create memories that last far longer than most physical gifts. And there's no packaging to worry about either…
Plan Ahead
Last-minute panic buying usually leads to, well, not the best choices. Starting your Christmas shopping early means you can take your time to find special gifts that align with your values and are perfect for your special someone. Plus, it's so much nicer than rushing around on Christmas Eve (we've all been there).
Get Creative
Extra effort can really make all the difference, so if you want to make your gift more special, why not go homemade? Take yourself back to your school art classes and paint a picture, or pick up a needle and thread and set about sewing a lovely cross-stitch creation or a knitted scarf.
The possibilities are as endless as your creativity, though if, like some of us, that’s not all that endless, there are a million tutorials online - you might just surprise yourself. If you’re definitely not a van Gogh, making tasty treats as gifts is a fab idea, and one to rope the children and grandchildren into. Chutneys, Chocolates, Fudge - you name it. Grab your pinny and give it a go.
Choose Perishable Presents
We all worry about unwanted or worn-out presents ending up in landfills, so consider gifts that are biodegradable or have a low chance of being set aside over the festive period. Homemade soaps and smellies from local makers or anything you can eat certainly won’t still be hanging around next Christmas or ending up in the bin. Extra marks if the packaging is biodegradable, too.
Remember, every purchase we make is like a little vote for the kind of world we want to live in. By making thoughtful choices this Christmas, we're not just giving lovely presents - we're supporting businesses that care about doing things right.
Now, if you'll excuse us, we're off to write our gift list... and maybe have a mince pie or two while we're at it.
If you’re not sure where to start with yours, we’ve listed some of our B Corp Besties and favourite brands who also try to make things better every day…
