Eco-friendly gift ideas for Christmas 2019
In the UK alone, we send more than 100 million bags of garbage to landfill over the Christmas period, creating 30% more rubbish than we would at any other time of the year.
That garbage includes an incredible 227,000 miles worth of wrapping paper - enough to stretch to the moon - and that’s without thinking about those unwanted Christmas gifts.
If you’ve got loved ones who are impossible to buy for, it’s easy to stock up on nick nacks and gifts that they’re probably not going to use.
Lots of those gifts will sit in cupboards and drawers for a year or two and then be thrown away, meaning they’re not only a waste of your money, but they’re bad for the environment and causing even more unnecessary waste.
Below, we’ve put together some eco-friendly gift ideas for Christmas 2019 to help you save time and money, and ensure you put a smile on their face with a thoughtful, useful present.
Refillable bottles
In the UK, we throw away billions of plastic bottles every year.
As well as the obvious culprit (water and fizzy drinks bottles), shampoo and conditioner bottles are also big targets and are often sent to landfill, even if they’re put in your recycling bin at home.
If you’ve got a friend who wants to do their bit for the planet, consider gifting them some refillable glass bottles.
These bottles can be personalised with their name and you could even start them off with some eco-friendly shampoos; all you need is some soap, coconut milk and essential oils.
Stainless steel straws
Some drinks are best enjoyed with a straw, whether it’s a gin and tonic at the end of a busy week or a cool Pepsi Max with ice.
If you’ve got a friend who’s always got a drink in their hand, consider buying them a set of stainless steel straws and a cocktail shaker so they can experiment with new drinks concoctions at home.
Even better, treat them to some quality glass tumblers that they can use to serve their favourite drinks in - no more plastic cups!
A cotton tee
Okay, time for a little self-promotion.
At Ultra Tee, we specialise in eco-friendly clothing and offer a wide range of options that make for great gifts.
From our adorable fox tee from our autumn collection to our super-cute bi-colour puffin tee, all of our clothing is choc-full of personality, without harming the environment. Indeed, we use organic and conventional cotton which is great on the skin and designed to stand the test of time.
Treat your girlfriends to one or two tops from our latest collection and they’ll be wearing them for years to come.
Reusable face pads
Another great gift idea for a friend who’s into beauty is a pack of washable face pads.
Not only will this help to reduce the number of cotton wool pads they put into landfill, but it will save money, as handmade face pads can be washed and reused hundreds of times.
Buy them a matching bag or travel case and they’ll never need a disposable face pad again!
A houseplant
Looking for an eco-friendly gift? You can’t go too far wrong with a houseplant!
Whether you opt for a common cactus or succulent or choose something more exotic like a Madagascar dragon tree, you’re bound to find something that will look great in your friend’s home (and in their inevitable #homeinteriors Instagram shots).
Houseplants are not only pretty and add greenery to any home, but they absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, clean the air, boost healing, and help you work more productively.
There you have it - some eco-friendly gift ideas for Christmas. Got an idea you think would make for a great gift? Let us know on Twitter @UltraTeeBrand and check back soon for more tips and tricks on living green. Whatever you’ve got planned, have a very Merry Christmas.