Earth Action Team's Holiday Gift Guide

The holidays are upon us. ‘Tis the season for pushing back against excessive consumption, mindless consumerism, and the destruction of the Earth. Campaign Nonviolence’s Earth Action Team has put together some tips for making this holiday season a little gentler on our imperiled planet. 

Wrapping

  • Wrap gifts with cloth. Re-use the wrapping cloth from year to year.

  • Wrap gifts in boxes from the recycling bin and newspaper

  • Save and reuse gift bags and tissue paper

Reducing Gifts

  • Make a Google Doc to share with relatives that has lists of what your family wants, doesn’t want, and anything that 2 or more relatives could collaborate on giving to your family.

  • Take the “No more than 4” gifts approach—something to wear, something to read, something you want, something you need. Invite aunts, uncles, grandparents, godparents, etc. to collaborate on these for family members.

Local, Handmade, Special Gifts

  • Handmade gifts 

  • Shop local (craft fairs and farmers markets)

  • Focus on experiences, esp. local (tickets to science center, field trip to the beach, art museum passes). 

  • Baked goods

  • A CSA share for a month from a local farm

  • Massage gift certificate or other self-care services

Regifting 

  • Pass on old toys to younger kids

  • Think about the Circular Economy—can this gift be used by someone else in the future?

  • Go “shopping” in your attic, basement, closet. What can you regift to someone?

  • Share an heirloom from a family member.

  • Do a book swap off you and your friends’ shelves.

Earth-Friendly Gifts

  • Cash is a gift everyone can use and is never the wrong size!

  • Donate to climate groups in a child’s name. (The best investment you can make for their future.)

  • Canvas shopping bags

  • Non-plastic sponges

  • LED holiday lights or other lightbulbs

  • Offer gifts for other life forms in your neighborhood! Create a Christmas tree for the animals, make bird seed ornaments and hang them on a tree outside

  • Choose to send email Christmas cards or ones that are marked recyclable 

  • Wool socks & sweaters, hats & mittens

  • Wool dryer balls to replace dryer sheets

  • Vegetarian recipes & ingredient baskets

  • Recycled cardboard and sharpies for making protest signs for 2024 climate protests

These are just a few of the many ways you can be conscious of how our holiday habits impact the planet. Other options include not traveling (especially by airplane), cooking vegetarian meals, and making a commitment to take climate action together as a family or friends circle. 

Our Culture Jamming Team also made this peace-oriented holiday gift guide. 

You can also get holiday gifts from our store and support Pace e Bene/Campaign Nonviolence’s ongoing work. 

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