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THIS week we count down to Christmas with Locally Yours by going eco-friendly. We have 5 weeks to go so why not do it the eco-conscious way? 

Being eco-conscious is important all year round but during the holidays even more so. This is because we often get a little lax around the holidays forgetting to reduce and reuse never mind recycle. 

 Think eco-friendly when it comes to gifts

 Buy from local sustainable, eco-friendly businesses

This is a double win because you can help out local creators like those at Locally Yours while helping the environment by opting for small businesses with an eco-friendly ethos. Those who focus on sustainability and handmade are great options. Buying local also reduces your carbon footprint as you dont have to travel far to get the gifts or have them shipped to you, so it’s actually a triple win. 

Gift from the kitchen

Filling recycled glass jars with homemade treats, such as cookies, sauces, and preserves is a good way to reduce waste. A second win on this is that your friends and family will eat the gift which means even less clutter. If you’re not too good in the kitchen some local vendors are. 

Craft some gifts

A lot of people are nervous about crafting gifts and coming across as tacky. But there are some nice options out there. Thanks to craft blogs and Pinterest you can learn to make decent gifts with supplies you may have at home. You can even get things like DIY candle kits to help you out.

Gift with an eco-mindset

With my gifting business and just as a person I love giving gifts that introduce people to a slightly more conscious mindset. Be it reusable water bottles, shopper bags, take-along coffee mugs, or cruelty-free beauty products. Your gift might help your friend think a little differently in the future

Wrap sustainably

Make cloth gift bags

Cutting the top of an old t-shirt and sewing the bottom makes an instant cloth gift bag. The sleeves of old jerseys or long-sleeve tops can be reusable wine bottle bags, and old faded bedding can make lovely bags that can be reused over and over again. You can also just buy fabric. Having special bags you bring out once a year could even become a family tradition.

Use your gift to wrap

This sounds a little crazy, but it works. Wrapping kitchen items in a dishwashing cloth. Wrapping accessories in a scarf. A jar full of cute things and you get to keep the jar

Keep the secret tradition of reusing gift bags going

Most people I know reuse gift bags so when you buy gift bags try not to be too obvious with the theme. That way the receiver can use the bag again in the future also don’t write your name on the bag, add a tag instead.

Use cardboard boxes

So many things come in cardboard boxes, from tea to cereal. Why not either paint them with chalkboard paint (now you can reuse the box as a toy) or cover them with adhesive paper so the box becomes a reusable storage container

Opt for brown paper bags/paper

Brown paper packages tied up with string are so pretty there is a song about it. A quick Google search will reveal tons of ideas on how to upscale your brown paper gifts from fabric bows to hand painting. It can add a special touch while being a little kinder to the environment