Gift Giving - Green Up Christmas Without Becoming a Grinch

Have you ever received an unwanted Christmas gift? If so, you’re not alone.

The Gumtree Unwanted Gifts Report, conducted annually by YouGov, found that in 2019 “53% of Australian adults; the equivalent of 8.5 million people, received at least one unwanted Christmas gift, equating to $572 million of ‘unwanted’ Christmas spending”

The report goes on to say: “Clothes and accessories topped the list for unwanted gifts (20%), followed by beauty products (15%) and household items such as décor or homewares (10%)

Friends missed the mark, topping the list as the worst gift givers (31%), followed by parents (21%) and work colleagues (21%). One in ten (13%) Aussies stated they received an unwanted gift from their partner or spouse.

When it comes to the reasons for giving an unwanted gift, four in ten Aussies (42%) stated they simply did not know the recipient’s individual style, whilst a third (33%) said it came down to financial factors such as having a limited budget (33%) or not wanting to spend the cash (15%)”

A later report states that in 2020, 18.7 million unwanted Christmas gifts were received by Australians with one in ten ending up in landfill. That’s close to 2 million brand new items. In landfill. OMG.

It’s seriously time to start making better choices when it comes to our gift giving!

Here’s some better choice options to consider, all of which have endless possibilities:

Give Experiences

For so many reasons people don’t take time out for themselves as often as they should. They're too busy, they feel guilty or they simply can’t afford it, so consider giving an experience gift. No matter your budget you can tailor an experience gift to suit everyone on your list.

Tickets to the movies or show they want to see, send them skydiving or up in a hot air balloon. Take them out for a special dinner or lunch, send them away for a weekend retreat, treat them to a massage or a pedicure. Buy passes to try paddle boarding, buy a voucher for them to learn a new skill (something they want of course - photography, gardening, golf, sewing, knitting.) Treat a family to an annual pass at their local zoo. It’s an endless list!

 Gift Treats

I've heard some people say that Christmas baking isn't a 'good enough gift' but I look at it differently. Baking takes time and effort so in my opinion, if someone does this for you they must think you're pretty special! Plus, if packaged right baking can be a beautiful and waste free gift...not to mention yummy... Think Rocky Road, Choc Mint Fudge, Rum Balls, Gingerbread, Christmas Cake, Shortbread, Mini Pavlova's, Chocolate Salted Caramel Kisses... another endless list.

 Gift Time

When was the last time that you spent some quality time with your loved ones?

Organize a babysitter so you can have a date & some quality time with your significant other Go to a restaurant or on a picnic; anywhere you can just be together, no distractions, so you can have an uninterrupted conversation, reconnect & enjoy each other’s company (even if you don’t have kids, you should do this)

Kids of all ages are eager for some one-on-one time with mum or dad and this can be tailored to all budgets. I could spend a heap and take Miss 13 out for a pedicure, lunch and a movie which she would love but she would also be just as happy if I got rid of the boys in our family for a while, turned off my computer and had a girlie day at home with her – board games, baking, movie of her choice, painting our fingernails.

Gift Support

This could be physical, emotional or financial.

Put together a fruit and vegetable box, grocery hamper or treat tub (even if they’re not doing it tough financially, I think this is a practical gift that would always be appreciated!), pay a bill for them, do some handyman work for them or pay for some repairs they need done. Cook some meals for their freezer. Mow their lawn for a month or organise someone to do it. Babysit. Think about what that person really needs right now...

Gift Vouchers

Once frowned upon as too impersonal to gift, vouchers are now a highly requested item, with 22% of Australians having a voucher to their favourite store at the top of their Christmas wish list. Letting them choose what they purchase lowers the risk of an unwanted gift being sent to landfill and reduces the time and energy involved in exchanging gifts. (You might ace it with a the gift but perhaps they wanted it in yellow not green)

Gift Better Choice Physical Items

If you do decide to purchase a physical item from a store, consider ASKING the recipient for a wish list. Yes, this might take some of the surprise out of the gift, but I’m sure it would be better received than a gift they didn’t want at all. When you look at an item consider the following – What is it made from? Where did it come from? Who made it? What will happen to it at the end of it’s life? Choose reusable products, zero/low waste items, home compostable items or products made of better choice materials like stainless steel, bamboo, coconut or hemp.

Check out www.healthycleanandgreen.com.au/shop for some better choice ideas.

 * Statistics sourced from ecovoice.com.au