10 low-impact gifts for this Christmas

Christmas is a special time, not just for tradition, but also because it’s a time when family gathers to share love, affection, and happiness.

This year, you can avoid consumerism and give gifts that can help someone change their habits for the planet, that are thoughtfully designed, and that support local businesses. Discover our tips.

Low-environmental-impact gifts for this Christmas

If you want to change some habits of the people you care about most, there’s nothing better than offering them that change, right?

The stainless steel bottle is an idea to keep in mind

These types of bottles don't have the same components as plastic ones (which can release microplastics into the environment) and allow you to maintain the temperature, hot or cold, of beverages without altering their flavor. In addition to this, they are reusable!

Gift a garden in a bag or a miniature tree

Did you know you can gift a bag with different aromatic herbs, edible flowers, or fruits? At Life in a Bag, you can choose from various solutions that allow you to create a mini home garden. This small gift can also be fun and educational for children.

Orange, lemon, lime... these are the fruits you can grow in a small pot. For those who live in an apartment and don't have the opportunity to have a tree, Citrina has several options for plants and pots.

Offer the possibility for someone to (re)read

One of the gifts that can be simple to give but complicated to choose are books! With various literary genres, there are many second-hand books for sale, and you can give them a second chance to be read.

Opt for a voucher for low-impact products

Vouchers are gifts where you can choose an amount for the person to buy whatever they want at a specific store.

Bamboo toothbrush

Traditional toothbrushes are made of plastic that is difficult to recycle due to its components (nylon bristles, plastic handle, and metal inserts) which must be properly separated.

However, bamboo toothbrushes have emerged as an option, where their bristles can be recycled.

Wooden toys

Nowadays there are thousands of plastic toys for children, but why not choose wooden options? Educational games, figures, among others, that stimulate learning, fitting pieces, motor dynamics, and family interaction.

Wooden toys last longer and don't break as easily as plastic ones, thus avoiding the possibility of a child getting hurt by a broken piece.

Soapy Kit

Also in the educational and child-oriented sphere: the Soapy Kit is an educational kit that promotes the transformation of used cooking oil into cleaning products.

This reusable kit saves 200,000 liters of water and promotes recycling and family interaction.

Solid shampoos

The amount of plastic we use can also be reduced in shampoo packaging! Solid shampoos are already an option for many people and are a suggested vegan and organic gift.

Offer an illustration

In addition to supporting great Portuguese talents, you offer a personalized and unique keepsake to those you care about most: just choose a photo and the illustrator.

And for those who need clothes?

There are several Portuguese brands that prioritize sustainability in their clothing items, such as Näz, which promotes a minimalist lifestyle and works closely with factories to develop low-impact products. You can also choose to buy second-hand.

This Christmas, you can offer meaningful choices while showing care for your loved ones and the planet's resources. Follow our blog and stay up to date with more news and inspirations.

Author: Daniela Matos