A Sustainable Christmas Gift Guide
The gift-giving season can bring us added and unnecessary stress at the end of every year when we start thinking about what to buy our loved ones for Christmas celebrations. There are so many beautiful ways to have a sustainable holiday season with more eco-friendly and low-waste options for us to make the most of.
Minimising single-use plastic, reducing our meat and seafood consumption, solar-powered lights, even renting a tree; the possibilities are endless. Have you considered sustainable gifts? Sustainable gift-giving doesn’t have to be complicated.
It is all too easy to shop more than we need during this season and end up with a lot of unwanted waste. Not only does shopping sustainably provide you with an option to reduce plastic, but it also spreads an important zero-waste message to those who receive your gifts.
At Zero Waste Bali, we have a vast range of incredibly good gift ideas that don’t harm the planet. Essentially this means they are low-waste, ethically sourced and kinder to the environment. Let’s learn a little more.
What Is Sustainable Shopping?
Source: https://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/change-the-way-you-live/shopping/shopping#gs.mlecog
A purposeful gift is often something that solves a problem. Practical gift giving does not need to be dull and boring. It is possible to purchase a beautiful, sustainable gift that can be reused or recycled. Sustainable shopping considers the lifespan of your purchase.
Why Does It Matter?
The festive season is traditionally the peak period for consumption and production of waste. For the most part, we are more aware of how plastic packaging is harmful to the planet than ever before. Underneath the disguise that’s been placed on landfills are toxins, greenhouse gases, and leachate (a liquid that has leaked through the soil) – all of which present concerning threats to our planet. What we buy makes a difference,, and eco-friendly, low-waste products are an excellent way to go green this Christmas.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall
Quick Facts:
- About one-third of an average dump is made up of packaging material. - Out of every $10 US spent buying things, $1.00 or 10% accounts for packaging that is thrown away.
- Packaging represents about 65% of household trash.
- Over 11 million tons of clothing, shoes, and textiles make their way into landfills each year.
- Americans produce an additional 5 million tons of waste during the holiday season (4 million tons are wrapping paper and shopping bags).
- 2000 pounds of recycled paper can save over 350 gallons of oil and up to 17 trees.
Eco-Friendly Shopping Tips
Battery-Free Gifts
Unfortunately, discarded batteries are a huge environmental hazard. It is estimated that about 40% of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. This is primarily due to
the purchase of battery-powered children’s toys. Books, art and craft, building blocks, musical instruments, wooden toys, sports gear are kinder to the planet and provide ways to enjoy the outdoors or boost a child's imaginative play.
Regifting The concept of regifting is a beautiful way to either pass on a gift that isn’t suitable for you, share if you received more than one of the same thing, or simply if you want to give what you have to someone who needs it. There is no shame to be had in regifting. Do what feels right for you and your loved ones. Knowing where to begin is always the most challenging part. Don’t worry, Zero-Waste Bali has your gift-giving for 2020 covered!
Our Top 12 Sustainable Gifts
#1 French Press Glass with Bamboo Lid
Reduce the use of disposable coffee filters and tea bags by using a French press! Made of thick borosilicate glass, 304-grade stainless steel and sustainable bamboo, this French press will bring an element to your table top that can well complement your sense of style and design. Shop Here
#2 Canggu, Uluwatu, Ubud Coconut Candles
Coconut candles named after destinations in Bali; Canggu scented with coconut and tuberose, Uluwatu infused with coconut and gardenia, and Ubud with the fragrance of coconut and frangipani. Coconut candles make a lovely gift idea for anyone who loves the addition of warm light, aromatherapy which is free from chemicals and perfumes. Perfect for the outdoor table, the bathroom or bedroom and 100% natural. Shop Here
- 100% plant-based wax
- Benzene-free (paraffin-free)
- Hexane-free (soy-free)
- Non-toxic Soot-free
#3 Zero Waste Bali Natural Sunblock SPF 35
Are you or your loved ones always out enjoying the sunshine? Zero Waste Bali has a low-waste sunscreen that is both 100% natural and SPF 35. The lotion is reef-friendly and kind to your skin. It is available in a convenient reusable aluminium tin and is ideal for travelling. Shop Here
#4 Reusable Safety Razor & Safety Blades
Plastic, disposable razors are a thing of the past! Join the sustainable revolution and purchase a safety razor with a longer life span. Simply replace the blades as needed and keep using the same high-quality razor reducing plastic waste. Safety razors are easy to clean, safe, affordable and effective.Shop Here
#5 Coconut Bowls
Bring the smoothie bowl of your dreams to life at home with these beautiful coconut bowls! Coconut bowls are from the shell of the coconut that would otherwise be discarded or burned. Eco-friendly coconut bowls can be used to serve delicious salads, smoothies, snacks and dips or place them in your bathroom for storing soap, hand towels or lotion. Create a Christmas gift pack by using the bowls as gift wrapping and fill them with bliss balls or chocolates. Shop Here
#6 Double Wall Glass Coffee Cup
Do you ever wonder if eco-friendly items make a difference to the planet? Are they worth the hype? Actually, yes! Swapping single-use coffee cups for one reusable coffee cup makes a significant impact on the amount of plastic waste you create. A reusable coffee cup is also one of the most affordable purchases with a long lifespan, meaning you get incredible value for money. Guess what - over 70% of the carbon footprint produced by one cup of coffee comes from dairy milk! If you want to reduce it, then the best choice you can make is to switch from cow's milk to one of the many delicious plant-based milk like almond, hemp, cashew or organic soy. Shop Here
#7 Gift Card
Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them?
Give them the gift of choice with a Zero Waste Bali gift card.
Gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout.
Our gift cards have no additional processing fees.
#8 The Chicama Macrame Bag
Macrame (a form of textile made using knotting techniques) is trending this season. Walkout in style with this gorgeous handmade Chicama Beach Bag! Eco-friendly bags don’t have to be boring, this one is super versatile and can take you from the beach to the weekend market! The inspiration behind the Chicama Bag is practicality and this bag can be used for travelling, weekends away, beach trips or exploring the city. Shop Here
- Organic Cotton Twine
- Size: 90 cm long x 35 cm wide
- 100% handmade
#9 Food Container Stainless Steel
An easy to use, BPA-free, stainless steel container is the best lunch box you can buy. They are 100% plastic-free, durable, non-toxic and convenient. Replace plastic single-use zip lock bags, cling-wrap and plastic packaging with a zero-waste alternative. The Zero Waste Bali stainless steel lunch box includes a separate container which is ideal for salad dressing or sauce to pair with your lunch menu. Pack snacks for the beach and throw it into your day bag, take them to work, the gym or on the plane; the options are endless. Shop Here
#10 The Navarna Backpack Bottle Holder
Available in a variety of colours, 100% handmade, the Navarana Backpack Bottle Holders are so fun! Created from upcycled lycra, the holder will adjust to fit any size water bottle. Part of the ‘On The Road’ collection, each design is eco-friendly and helps to keep waste material out of the landfill. Shop Here
#10 Eco-Friendly Shopping Bag
Not all eco-friendly accessories have to be luxury items; in fact, many are simple and budget-friendly. A sustainable lifestyle is all about keeping things to a minimum to create less strain on your health and the earth. So, a reusable bag is a great gift idea to encourage less single-use plastic bags. Each year approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide, and more than one million bags are used every minute! Make a statement to go zero waste with the “Don’t Be Trashy” shopping bag! Shop Here
#12 Indonesian Breeze Reusable Diapers
Finally, gift something for the little ones with these adorable Indonesian Breeze reusable diapers. Millions of plastic disposable diapers go into landfill every day. Single-use diapers are not only costly for a family, but they cause a lot of harm to the environment. It takes 150 years for one diaper/nappy to break down. A staggering 3.75 million disposable nappies are used each day in Australia and New Zealand, and it takes about one cup of crude oil to make each nappy! The good news is that there is an eco-friendly reusable option that solves all of these issues. The reusable diapers are made from soft cotton and are printed in a lovely Balinese style print to showcase the beauty of Indonesia. You can also purchase fitted reusable diapers, reusable diapers for swimming and stay-dry inserts. Shop Here
Bundle Packs
At Zero Waste Bali, we advocate for shopping in bulk as much as possible to reduce unnecessary plastic bags and make life easier for you. If you are searching for a gift pack, our bundles could be just the thing to put under the tree for your loved one this year. Our Subscription Box allows you to sign up for your favorite bundle and receive a discounted Subscription Only price! You can save on your favorite items, gift someone a bundle that keeps on giving or share the goodness with family and friends.
Take a look at our available eco-friendly bundles for your Christmas wish list today:
Cleaning Essentials Bundle
- 500 ml 3 in 1 liquid soap
- 500g Percarbonate
- 500g Cleaning Baking Soda
- 500g Cleaning Vinegar
- 1 Laundry Soap Bar
- 1 Castille Soap Bar
Zero Waste Beauty Bundle
This bundle truly has it all! Imagine gifting someone a Zero Waste Beauty Bundle that has all the natural, organic, goodness one needs to take care of their skin. Bentonite Clay can be used as a face mask, Jojoba and Coconut are great carrier oils and moisturisers, Witch Hazel is a natural cleanser and toner and Aloevera gel can be used for sunburn or as a mask for shiny healthy hair. Give the gift of glowing natural beauty with this bundle.
- 100g Bentonite Clay
- 100g Cornstarch
- 100g Food Grade Baking Soda
- 100g Jojoba
- 100g Witch Hazel
- 100g Aloe vera Gel
- 100g Charcoal
- 100g Virgin Coconut Oil
- 100g Apple Cider Vinegar
- 100g Granulated Sugar
Bathroom (liquid soap) Box
Bathroom products are one of the most wasteful items on the market. Each product comes in a plastic bottle with plastic labels and each single-use disposable item like your toothbrush or a razor end up in landfill or out in the ocean taking decades to breakdown. Our Bathroom Box offers a solution for all of those wasteful beauty products. Swap them out for organic, low-waste products, your bathroom will look and feel beautiful.
- 2 Bamboo Toothbrushes
- 1 Bar Soap
- 500 ml Shampoo
- 500 ml Conditioner
- 500 ml Body Wash
- 1 Pack Cotton Buds
- 1 Tooth Floss
- 1 Tin Chew Paste Tablets
- 1 Loofah
Bathroom (soap bar) Box
Similar to the liquid box, the Soap Bar Box is amazing for those on the move, traveling, and in need of easy to pack items. Each product is compact, plastic-free, eco-friendly and affordable. Shampoo bars keep your scalp and hair healthy, chew paste tablets are plastic-free and sustainable, our loofah is reusable and then fully compostable created without microplastics.
- 2 Toothbrushes
- 1 Bar soap
- 1 Shampoo Bar
- 1 Pack Cotton Buds
- 1 Tooth Floss
- 1 Tin Chew Paste Tablets
- 1 Loofah
Gluten-Free Essential Box
Many naturally gluten free foods can make up a healthy diet. Gluten free foods are a choice for some and a must for others. A gluten-free diet is essential for managing signs and symptoms of celiac disease and other medical conditions associated with gluten. A gluten-free diet is also popular among people who haven't been diagnosed with a gluten-related medical condition. The gluten found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye) can trigger serious health problems or other insensitivities. While other grains such as corn, rice and quinoa also contain gluten, they don't seem to cause the same problems as wheat, barley, rye and triticale. If you or someone you know follows a gluten-free diet than this Essential Box is a wonderful gift idea!
- 500g Gluten Free Pasta
- 250g Gluten Free Nut Granola Mix
- 250g Popcorn Kernals
- 150g Buckwheat Groats
- 250g Quinoa
- 100g Coconut Aminos
- 100g Chia Seeds
- 1 Jar Homemade Pesto
Vegan Pantry Starter Box
We have set up an amazing vegan starter box to make your shopping super quick and easy. Swapping to healthy, plant-based food for the Christmas season is a great place to start preparing for the year ahead. We have included a large selection of the most popular vegan items from our store:
- 500g Du Poy lentils
- 500g Non Organic Chickpeas
- 500g Brown Rice
- 200g Almonds
- 200g Split Cashews
- 200g Sunflower Seeds
- 150g Pumpkin Seeds
- 200g Granola Mix
- 200g Cornstarch
- 200g Organic Flax Seeds
- 200g Dried Raisins
- 200g Pitted Dates
- Vegetable Stock Paste
- Plastic-Free Packaging
What Gift Wrap Should I Use?
One of the most eco-friendly things that you can do when giving gifts is to minimize the amount of wrapping and packaging that you include. Try to reuse and recycle whatever you can when it comes to presentation. Need a little inspiration?
Here are three wonderfully green gift wrapping solutions:
Furoshiki
The Art of Japanese wrapping cloth is now trending all over the world. If you would like to learn how to use fabric to wrap gifts without any paper, tape or string, take a look at this online tutorial and give it a try this Christmas!
Newspaper
Try to recycle your morning newspaper (or the neighbours) by using it as a unique alternative to standard wrapping paper. Newspapers can be turned into cute gift bags.
Glass Jars
A simply recycled glass jar can replace gift wrap for several items including food products like cookies, granola or bathroom items like lotion and salts. Fill them with soy melts, jewellery, hair accessories, bamboo cutlery or flowers. (link to Zero Waste Bali Glass Jars).
Christmas Cards
There is something so special about receiving a hand-written card for a special occasion. One way to reduce your environmental impact this Christmas is to shop either recycled paper cards or make them from the paper you already have at home. An estimated 1 billion Christmas Cards will end up in bins each year – the equivalent of 33 million trees! That is a high price to pay for something that ultimately ends up in the landfill.
Glitter, Ribbons & Bows
Not all that glitters is gold; especially microplastic. Plastic in glitter takes about 1,000 years to biodegrade, and the tiny particles quickly pass through water filtration systems and end up in the environment. Glitter and other gift wrapping decorations bring us so much joy but are there a greener alternative on the market? Thankfully yes. There are biodegradable options, but the best option is not to worry about using glitter at all. Try a beautiful hand-made card, gift box or gift bag that can be reused or recycled.
Final Thoughts
Christmas gift giving is a perfect time to share your eco-friendly, low-waste lifestyle. Surprise someone special with your unique plastic-free gift wrapping, bake a delicious vegan treat to share, and be kind to the planet. Zero Waste Bali has over 500 organic and non-organic health and beauty products in store and online to shop including an impressive refill bulk food selection.
“Going zero waste isn’t about being perfect and having no waste. It is your own personal journey about reducing the amount of waste you produce. Being mindful about your consumption and purchases and living as simply as you can. This will vary with each and every one of us however together we can make a difference”.
Zero Waste Bali
References:
2019. “6 Easy Rules For Regifting Unwanted Presents (and Avoiding A Major Faux Pas).” Good Housekeeping. September 30, 2019.
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2019. “6 Easy Rules For Regifting Unwanted Presents (and Avoiding A Major Faux Pas).” Good Housekeeping. September 30, 2019.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/a29251637/regifting-etiquette-rules/.
- “Christmas Packaging Facts (2020): A Wide Range Of Eye Opening Stats | GWP Group.” n.d. GWP Group. Accessed November 24, 2020. https://www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts/#.
- “Facts . About Plastic . Help - Plastic Oceans Foundation.” n.d. Plastic Oceans International. Accessed November 24, 2020. https://plasticoceans.org/the-facts/.
- “How To Have A ‘Green’ Christmas.” Eartheasy Guides & Articles. January 1, 1970.
https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/how-to-have-a-green-christmas/. - Rosie Frost. n.d. “Is Your Reusable Coffee Cup Really Making A Difference? | Living.” Living. Accessed November 24, 2020. https://www.euronews.com/living/2020/02/12/is-your-reusable-coffee-cup-really-making-a-difference.
- “The Facts About Nappies.” n.d. Accessed November 24, 2020. https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/nappies.
- “The Good News Is That You Don’t Have To Go Grain-Free.” 2019. Mayo Clinic. December 19, 2019.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gluten-free-diet/art -20048530. - Web, USI. n.d. “Solid Waste & Landfill Facts - University Of Southern Indiana.” Accessed November 24, 2020.
https://www.usi.edu/recycle/solid-waste-landfill-facts/.