Meaningful and Sustainable Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
Everyone has a favorite Holiday movie, and at Indyx ours is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We think the Grinch has at least one thing right: the Holidays should be about more than expensive gifts, the number of gifts or the size of the box. After all, corporate greed stole Christmas long before the Grinch tried to save it.
But based on the reaction of the residents of Whoville, the Grinch’s actions - while well-intentioned - clearly weren’t the *best* way to save the Holidays. In our collective mission to bring back the true meaning of the Holidays, we risk stealing the magic of Christmas.
The commercialization of the Holiday season has made us all feel like if you don’t need a reindeer-drawn sleigh to carry all your gifts then you’re doing it wrong. Not only do you *have* to buy a gift for your friend's dog, but you also need to get your niece a doll house big enough for her to live in. And at the end of the day, so many of these gifts end up feeling meaningless and ultimately unwanted, contributing a huge amount of waste - emotionally for both the gift-giver and recipient, and physically for the planet.
But being the first one in your family or social circle to reject this Holiday craze can feel scary. Typical low or no-waste suggestions like DIY gifts, gift cards, books, and donations are often labeled as cheap, distant or lame. What’s a girl supposed to do!?
We think there is a way to pull it off, but the key is shifting the focus from avoiding buying new products to seeking out the opportunity for thoughtful life long memories.
Start by dividing your list into a few categories
The first step is to make a list of everyone you need to give a gift this season. Then separate your list into two different levels of intimacy and of course one category for kids. So, your list should be categorized like this:
Kids
Close friends and family
Other family members and work friends
This is not to differentiate the amount of money you will spend on each gift, but rather the thoughtfulness required. Because let’s be honest: we can’t put the same amount of thought & effort into each and every gift. You will drive yourself crazy this way.
The list of ideas starts with kids because after all the magic of Christmas is mostly for them. If you don’t have kids in your life, lucky you, keep scrolling.
No waste gift ideas for kids
Christmas is the time you solidify yourself as the cool aunt or fun mom, so it’s important we get this one right.
Experiences are wonderful for kids. With all the adults in their life constantly distracted by their jobs or phones, all they want is quality time with a person they love doing something that they love, together. Take them to Disneyland or other local park or carnival and let them play as many games as possible. An age-appropriate concert, or interactive museum can be just as fun. If they’re a little bit older, going to a convention to meet their favorite TikToker or niche celebrity will be a blast. Just remember the critical piece: you have to go too.
Another option is an online game or streaming subscription like Disney+. But again, it is even more fun if it is something you can play or watch with them.
When it comes to kids, the most important thing is to not give them a book.
No waste gift ideas for adults
Experiences
What works for kids also works for adults: giving someone an experience is thoughtful because it shows you know what they enjoy and that you want to engage in their interest together. This is the best gift for your closest friends and family. Trust me, there is no gift better than a day with you for your mom. Or going to see Taylor Swift on tour with your best friend. Or taking your partner to see their favorite sports team.
This is especially meaningful if you’re not going to spend Christmas with that person because they’ll be able to think about the memories they had with you even if you’re not there.
Ideas
A dinner at a new, well-reviewed restaurant with their favorite cuisine
A concert featuring their favorite artist
A stand up comedy show
A spa day
A class in something they love, or are interested in trying. Think: pottery, painting cooking, wine tasting, or a local historical walking tour
A consultation with an expert for help - like, a Pro-Indyx cataloging or styling session!
DIY
A truly cherished handmade gift requires two things: a massive amount of thought about the person you’re giving to, and the ability to execute the idea without looking like a Pinterest-fail.
My favorite gift ever was a painting my artistically inclined friend made of one of my favorite designer dresses, and to this day I have it hanging in my house. It doesn’t hurt that it also came with a bottle of Pinot Grigio. But it’s the time she dedicated and care she poured into choosing the right subject that brings me joy when I see it. And while we do say it’s the thought that counts, my friend is an amazing artist, which leads me to the key to pulling off a DIY gift:
Identify your talent: painting, crochet, collage, pottery, cooking.
Brainstorm things that matter to them: movies, sports, fashion, music AND/OR, what matches their personal aesthetic
Put the two things together
Examples of how to put these things together:
A set of paintings of their favorite music albums
A hand-knit sweater with a reference to their favorite tv show
A mug decorated in the style & colors of their existing home decor
Secondhand Clothes
We will say it upfront: this is a risk! Gifting clothing - especially secondhand clothing - is typically extremely difficult between knowing their size, brands they like, holes in their wardrobe, and their style preferences.
But, if your loved one is on Indyx, then these things are knowable! It’s just one more magic thing about having entire wardrobes cataloged and visible to one another.It is is a time commitment to understand your friends style and clothing needs, but getting it right can be one of the best gifts.
The second risk: gifting something secondhand can be just about as taboo as it gets when it comes to gift giving. So, this type of gift is only for friends who already love and appreciate thrifting and vintage. There is one rule you must follow to give secondhand items and that is quality. Quality can be shown in two ways: a luxury tag or a super-luxurious fabric.
Artisanal Consumables
A handmade item from an artisan is an ideal gift for the people on our list we aren’t that close with but we want them to know we’re thinking about them - all while supporting a small business.
The key to making sure this type of gift doesn’t also end up in a trash heap is to choose something that is consumable and gets used up. No knick-knacks, unless you’re absolutely certain that the recipient would love that particular item.
My last year of university, my favorite professor gifted me a hand made candle she bought from a friend. While I’ve since used the candle, I’ll never forget how surprised and grateful I was when she gave me the gift. I was surprised she gave me a gift at all and felt it was even more meaningful she didn't just pick something up at Target.
Ideas
A candle or soap in a scent you know they love
A fun pair of cozy socks
A plants with a reusable planter
Money: Is it ever a good idea?
Giving money can feel extremely unpersonal, and that is partially true, which is why this is at the bottom of the list. Giving money with no direction is something that is reserved for teenagers - they may actually appreciate the fact that you didn’t try to be cool.
For other people in your life - let’s say family you’re not too close with - it’s important you give your money some direction. My suggestion is to anticipate their upcoming needs: are they starting a new job, or going on a trip? Whatever it is, write that person a thoughtful card explaining what the money is intended for, but without the obligation of spending it that way.. Depending on your relationship, it can also be nice to suggest they send you a picture of them having the dinner you suggested, or zip lining in Costa Rica, or going to work with a new briefcase. It’s a great way to stay more in touch with those distant relatives.
We can all agree that most gifts we receive aren’t things we would buy for ourselves - and not in a good way. We end up with so much clutter that we eventually throw out. We’ve already decluttered our wardrobes, now let’s keep it that way. Your gifts will be more meaningful and you’ll enjoy picking them out for your friends. Instead of a rush to the stores or non stop scrolling on the internet, you can enjoy a nice dinner with your brother or work on your embroidery on a jacket for your niece.
And lastly, let your loved ones know why you chose that gift for them and they’ll want to reciprocate with an equally meaningful gift next time around. In a few years you’ll be the Grinch that *saved* Christmas.
Rebecca is a fashion stylist and writer, recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and currently living in London. She enjoys reading, skiing and having people cook for her.