Whether you are looking for a unique gift for a loved one or to spread a little joy this festive season, we can all bring something meaningful to our choices. Here we offer our top selection of low- and no-cost gifts, each of which allows us to express our love in a way that will truly resonate.
Sponsor a Tree
We know the natural world is in danger, so what more meaningful gift could there be than sponsoring a tree? From mass reforesting projects to community orchards, there is a wealth of options available. A gift of a tree means you are supporting climate mitigation, helping wildlife flourish, and giving one of the world’s most beautiful gifts at the same time. For an unforgettable experience you might even take a trip to visit your tree.
Homemade Sweet Treats
Taking the time to make something special lets your loved ones know how much you value them. So, this year, instead of buying boxes of chocolates or candies, why not make a selection of your own? You might like to choose from vegan fudge, peanut butter balls, toffee, truffles, sea salt peanut clusters, chocolate snowballs, peanut brittle, honeycomb, peppermint patties, Swedish wishing cookies, Christmas cookies, or dark chocolate chili nut clusters. Package them up prettily and you have the perfect gift.
Invite a Friend for the Day
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or something else, why not open your doors and welcome in someone who may otherwise be alone? Festival days can be hard for people who don’t have family but it takes very little to set an extra place at the table. This is not charity! Welcoming new people to celebrate with you makes the day even more special for everyone.
Sponsor an Animal
Many sanctuaries and conservation projects offer the chance to sponsor a named animal. This is a wonderful gift that allows the recipient to get to know an animal while providing important funds that support their care. From dogs and cats to elephants and tigers, there is someone for everyone. Just make sure that the animal you sponsor is not kept captive in a zoo. Instead look for reputable charities like farmed animal and wildlife rescues, including Farm Sanctuary, Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries, the Born Free Foundation, and Wild Futures.
Give the Gift of Your Time
The modern world can feel relentless, and too often we short-change the ones we love by not giving them enough of our time and attention. Why not make some beautiful gift cards on which you write a series of personal pledges that can be ‘cashed in’ at any time. These can include anything you love to do, from a picnic in the park to a day’s kayaking, from visiting a local gallery or museum to taking dance classes together.
Give the Gift of Your Skills
If there is something you are particularly good at, why not make that your gift? You could promise weekly piano lessons or gardening. Perhaps you have DIY skills, in which case you could pledge a day a month to fix any household problems or to decorate a room. If you can make clothes, you might teach someone else the basic techniques. Or you could make and decorate your own recipe booklet with all your loved one’s favourite meals. And while you give your skills, there is time to talk and connect, too, and perhaps that is the greatest gift of all.
Buy a Course
Instead of buying stuff that will one day find its way to landfill, why not give the gift of knowledge? That might be a course on veganic gardening or singing lessons, it could be jewelery-making or pottery, photography, or art classes. Supporting friends and family in their passions is a beautiful act of kindness.
A Gift to Your Community
Not all heroes wear capes, and in every community there are people working to make their neighborhood more beautiful, safe, and supportive for all. Join them as they plant roadside bulbs, sort donations at a food bank, litter-pick, or read to hospice residents. Voluntary work is also a gift to ourselves, as we get to spend time with other kind people and enjoy their company while we contribute something meaningful to our community. It’s a win-win.
Make a Call
If we find ourselves regularly firing off voice messages to old friends as we rush about doing ten other things at the same time, why not schedule a phone or video call instead? If you have a long-distance friend or family member, why not arrange a dinner party via video? Make a meal, get dressed up, and log on.
