Green gift ideas
Treat your loved ones to gifts that won't cost the Earth.
We've compiled a list of diy projects to show you how to make these beautiful and thoughtful gifts that your friends and family will love.
We've compiled a list of diy projects to show you how to make these beautiful and thoughtful gifts that your friends and family will love.
Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups regularly run workshops in these gift-making and other sustainability skills. Follow our Facebook page to find out when they are coming up.
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Beeswax wraps
These reusable wraps can be used instead of plastic wrap to keep food fresh. You can make them yourself from simple materials and ingredients and just a bit of know-how. View the video and instructions from the Cardiff Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group.
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Christmas wreath
Create your very own centerpiece or decoration using local plants and beautiful things from your garden. Watch the Cardiff Area Sustainable Negihbourhood Group demonstrating how to make wreaths with ABC Radio Newcastle. There's also a video from Gardening Australia. The Cardiff Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group regularly wreath making workshops.
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Boomerang Bags
Make these attractive shopping bags from reclaimed fabric. They make a lovely gift in themselves, or you could use it as 'wrapping' for other gifts. This video shows you step by step how to make a beautiful, practical bag with box corners. 
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Reusable produce bags
Help your friends and family take the next step in sustainability and avoid those single use plastic produce bags. They are simple to sew, and can be made from a variety of materials. Something lightweight and see-through is best for using at the checkout. One of the best materials is second-hand curtain lace - there's often plenty at the op shop. 1 Million Women have some sewing instructions here. |
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Body scrub
Make a delicious body scrub from simple ingredients, and avoid the plastic packaging and mysterious ingredients found in commercial products. Your friends will be glowing (and smell amazing)! Here's a recipe from 1 Million Women made from coffee, sugar and coconut oil. An internet search will show you lots of different recipes to try. |
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Christmas crackers and bon bons
Give your Christmas dinner a personal touch with homemade, reusable bon bons. They can be made from fabric or reclaimed paper, and filled with personalised treats Laura Trotta suggests making them from fabric serviettes! |
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Furoshiki - fabric gift wrapping
Be inspired by this Japanese tradition and present your gift in a beautiful fabric, tea towel, reusable bag, or scarf! Your gifts will look beautiful, be practical, and avoid the paper waste. This story from 1 Million Women shows you how to do all sorts of fabric wraps. This ABC story explains more about the tradition. |
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DIY cutlery holders
Never get caught out again! Make a cutlery wrap from scrap materials to carry your reusable cutlery, straw and napkin. This post from Gippsland Unwrapped shows step by step how to make a holder, with a couple of design options. |
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Give an experience
Experiences like class membership, a national parks pass, charity donations or movie vouchers will give your loved ones precious memories instead of items that collect dust. The minimalist vegan blog has some great ideas for experiences to share. theminimalistvegan.com/gifting-experiences
Experiences like class membership, a national parks pass, charity donations or movie vouchers will give your loved ones precious memories instead of items that collect dust. The minimalist vegan blog has some great ideas for experiences to share. theminimalistvegan.com/gifting-experiences
Ideas for a plastic free festive season
Plastic Free July has some great ideas to host holiday events without spoiling any of the fun.
plasticfreejuly.org/blog/how-to-host-a-plastic-free-festive-party
Plastic Free July has some great ideas to host holiday events without spoiling any of the fun.
plasticfreejuly.org/blog/how-to-host-a-plastic-free-festive-party
Clean Up Australia's Eco Friendly Christmas Guide
Some tips to choose sustainable Christmas decorations, and to have an eco friendly Christmas.
cleanup.org.au/ecofriendlychristmasguide
Some tips to choose sustainable Christmas decorations, and to have an eco friendly Christmas.
cleanup.org.au/ecofriendlychristmasguide
