Christmas gift ideas for just about everyone!
Christmas is coming, a time for presents, family, good cheer and, of course, all the worries and stresses associated with the holiday season. To add to your worries about cooking for everyone, fitting everyone in and keeping everybody happy your left worrying about presents as well. It’s hard enough trying to choose Christmas presents for everyone without having to worry about the environmental impact of each of your gifts. A box of chocolates for auntie? It might seem like a safe bet, but the air-miles racked up when those cocoa beans were flown over from Brazil suggest otherwise. A nice box of cosmetics for your sister? Just think about the animal testing which was probably involved at some point in its creation, not to mention all the packaging.
However, there is a solution. Many companies have cottoned on to the fact that there’s a growing demand for presents which won’t break your bank balance or the environment, here’s our guide to a few of the best.
For Him: There are some great environmentally friendly gadgets available on the market which will make perfect Christmas presents for the man in your life. Solar powered torches, watches and even radios have become increasingly popular over the years, and are perfect for the man who likes to mess around with technology. Alternatively, another great option is a ‘brew your own beer’ kit- it’s fun and easy to do and you’ll cut down on the cost to the environment caused by the packaging, production and transport of shop bought beer.
For Her: There are lots of products available which bring a little bit of luxury to people’s lives without the associated guilt of the cost to the environment. The ‘Devita Natural Skin Care Range’ is an all-natural range of products developed with essential oils. Because the ingredients are all natural you don’t need to worry about the nasty chemicals, the company also uses minimal packaging. Another great, and unusual option, are products like gloves and scarves made from things like Alpaca wool. Though it may come as a surprise, Alpaca farming has far less of an effect on the environment than sheep and (as long as you make sure the Alpaca’s are kept locally) you’ll normally be helping out smaller businesses by buying their products.
For the In-Laws: For an impressive, thoughtful and environmentally friendly present an excellent solution is provided by Interflora’s Christmas hampers, available for order direct from their website. The company has a wide range of hampers and fillings, all of which can be accessed from their website and ordered quickly and easily at the press of a button. The hamper fillings include drink in the form of ales, wine, whisky, spirits or champagne; food including fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese and chocolate, or any combination of the above ingredients. The hamper contents are sourced on criteria including minimal environmental impact, and the company’s policy on minimising their carbon emissions makes these hampers a great choice.
