Eco-Friendly Gifting: Think Big, Shop Small
Where to shop for handmade gifts this holiday season
The festive season can be as overwhelming as it is stressful. On top of organising family plans for the holidays, you've got to think about what gifts to buy for everyone and if they'll actually like them.
Instead of fighting the crowds on the high street to buy unoriginal mass-produced items from big retailers, a better option is to shop small and buy handmade. Not only will you be supporting the creative community, you'll be buying thoughtful gifts that actually mean something.
If you want to make gifting less frustrating and your festive celebrations more eco-friendly, this is how to be a more eco-friendly gifter and have a more sustainable holiday season.
Handmade Gift Guides
It can be really difficult to know where to shop for handmade gifts. This handmade gift guide for 2023 will make it easier for you to find original presents. While this small businesses directory will help make shopping from independent designer-makers much easier.
Shopping Tips for a Sustainable Holiday Season
Shop With Small Businesses
One of the most eco-friendly ways to shop is to buy from small businesses. Not only do independent shops tend to be more eco-conscious, the products they sell make wonderfully thoughtful gifts for your loved one.
The best way to support small businesses is to spend your money with them. Whether it's a single gift card, small gift, or something more substantial—every purchase makes a big difference.
Shop at Local Markets
Craft fairs and handmade markets are the best place to shop for gifts. Not only will you find meaningful handmade gifts for everyone on your shopping list, the money you spend on them goes directly to the designer-maker.
Shopping at local markets and purchasing handmade products is one of the many ways you can help support small businesses while buying truly unique gifts for your loved ones. Remember to mark your calendar with upcoming events so you don't miss them!
Shop Online Sustainably
Shopping online is often better for the environment than shopping on the high street. So if you missed the handmade markets or left your gift shopping too late, you don't have to worry about your holiday purchases causing more damage than good!
Wherever possible try to shop online from small businesses. Don't rush the delivery and avoid making a return by making sure your gift is something the recipient actually wants. Other ways to make shopping online more eco-friendly is to look for recyclable packaging, carbon neutral delivery, and sustainable policies.
A Note on Black Friday
Most Black Friday "bargains" aren't offering genuine discounts. More than 200 offers during Black Friday were found to be 98% cheaper or the same price at other times in the year. With up to 80% of sale items ending up in landfills or burned in incinerators, Black Friday simply isn't sustainable. But there is a way to shop the Black Friday sales sustainably—here's how.
Save the Dates
Mark your calendar for these upcoming handmade markets. Shop for gifts at the Birmingham Design + Friends Makers Market on 17 Nov and the Paperdolls Handmade Market on 18-19 Nov.
Photographs by Angela Grabowska.