Holidays can be a sweet time of gathering together with family or friends. They can also be a stressful time of running around buying last-minute gifts and snacks for the next party.
To help you plan for the holidays, we have some great gift ideas that just so happen to go easy on the planet.
When all is said and done, what we remember most are the experiences we share, not the things we receive.
Why not gift your time and skills? Write a personalized gift card offering to teach someone how to use a chainsaw or bake sourdough. Those with accessibility challenges might appreciate the gift of power-washing their windows, deep-cleaning their kitchen or walking their dog once a week over the winter. Gift parents a night off by hosting their children for dinner and a storytelling or games night.
Experiences can also come in the form of memberships, classes or wellness packages. Get the swimmer in your life a book of 10 tickets to Powell River Recreation Complex. A ski pass to Mount Washington could be perfect for an outdoorsy relative.
Go in on music or martial arts lessons for your grandchild. Offer to attend a textile fibre arts sewing class at Townsite Market with your daughter or son. Gift certificates for a massage or acupuncture appointment could be the perfect fit for someone who is always giving to others.
Most of us have more stuff than we ever use. What about looking through your belongings for a practical or meaningful gift for someone in your world? You could choose to pass along a family heirloom while you’re still here to share its story.
If you’re no longer using still-good kitchen appliances or carpentry tools, why not clean them up and give them to someone who would?
Gift cards are an easy go-to option. Consider keeping money in qathet by supporting local businesses. Go the extra mile and choose ones that have low waste options, art and music supplies or consumables (restaurants and coffee shops).
Another way to invest locally is to support craft fairs and holiday pop-ups at Town Centre mall. If you know local artists, how about asking them if they have any creations you could buy from them directly so they can keep more of their profits?
If you decide to buy physical gifts, go for ones that reduce waste instead of ones that can create it. Refillable to-go coffee mugs, reusable cutlery sets, stainless steel straws or a basket for grocery shopping are popular choices. The timing couldn’t be more perfect as single-use options will become more limited come December 20, when plastic bans come into effect for shopping bags, to-go food ware containers and more. Learn more at gov.bc.ca.
A word on gag gifts. Most of them are pretty useless and only good for a quick giggle. Instead of buying them, send a photo or silly GIF. If you can’t help yourself, choose gag gifts that are secondhand, edible or made of natural materials such as wool, wood or feathers.
It can be easy to get tricked into buying expensive gifts through sales and flashy ads. Remember that most of us are really looking for things that credit cards can’t buy. This year, avoid the stress of overspending and taxing the earth.
Create memories, not garbage.
Let’s Talk Trash is contracted by qathet Regional District to deliver its waste reduction education program. For more information, email [email protected] or go to LetsTalkTrash.ca.
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