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What is Green Gifting?
In a world increasingly concerned with environmental issues, green gifting has bee-come increasingly popular. Green gifting is the practice of giving gifts that are sustainable, eco-friendly, and/or ethically sourced. This mindset brings joy to the recipient but also has beneficial effects for the planet and society.
Social responsibility and sustainable living is a new concept for some people. It involves being conscious of the impact daily choices have on the environment and the world we live in. Choosing to gift green means choosing items made with respect for the environment. These include products made with organic, recycled, or upcycled materials that help reduce waste and the overall carbon footprint associated with traditional gifts.
Ethical consumerism, or voting with your dollar, is another part of the green gifting practice. When you spend your money on products local businesses whose practices align with your values , you are making a statement. Supporting local artisans and small businesses stimulates your local economy and strengthens your community.
Motivations for choosing green gifts can vary. Regardless of the underlying reason, opting for eco-friendly gifts can enhance the overall gifting experience, creating a deeper connection between the giver, the receiver, and the environment.
Current Trends in Green Gifting
It’s interesting to observe the trends as consumers become more aware of sustainability and environmental issues. The extremely high temperatures this past summer and the recent drought on Long Island have people buzzing about climate change and what they might be able to do to help the situation.
The media has done a good job encouraging people to avoid single use plastics. This, in turn, led to a trend in the green gifting of reusable products. Items like stainless steel water bottles, beeswax wraps, and silicone food storage bags are on the up-tick. These are examples of gifts reduce waste and nurture opportunities to be environmentally conscious on a daily basis.
Zero-waste gifts have also emerged as a way to help minimize our ecological footprint. These include items packaged with minimal or no packaging, such as bulk goods, as well as gifts that encourage a waste-free lifestyle, like compostable bags and eco-friendly dishcloths that replace paper towels.
Artisan and handmade products often come with a lower carbon footprint and are usually produced in smaller quantities. The “story” behind the making of a gift offers a personal one-of-a-kind touch to a gift. These gifts are often purchased from local artisans and help to build a more sustainable economy. Backyard Bees uniquely packages green gifts, like their Earth & Honey Face Masks in upcycled floral cardboard from another local business, Baron Floral Designs.
The rise of subscription boxes introducing recipients to a variety of sustainable products from different brands is another emerging trend. We have some reservations about this practice, but none-the-less, it is an emerging trend.
The shift towards giving experiential gifts, like eco-tours and workshops, is another green trend. This type of green gifting promotes appreciation for experiences, learning, and community over material possessions.
Green Gifting Benefits
Environmentally conscious gift-giving, offers numerous advantages, especially in today’s world where sustainability is becoming a necessity. Our favorite (of course) is the benefit of ‘knowing your beekeeper’. When you shop deliberately, and know the people bee-hind your product, you are nurturing relationships that make your life infinitely better.
Here are three other (more formal) benefits of gifting sustainably:
- Environmental Impact Reduction: Green gifts often involve sustainable, recycled, or eco-friendly materials, helping to reduce waste and conserve resources. By choosing items made from renewable materials, organic products, or those with minimal packaging, you contribute to lowering your carbon footprint, helping to reduce pollution and environmental damage. Signing up for a local CSA is a great way to make an impact.
- Support for Ethical and Sustainable Brands: When you choose green gifts, you often support brands and artisans that prioritize ethical practices, such as fair trade, local production, or cruelty-free sourcing. This encourages other businesses to adopt more responsible and sustainable practices, further driving positive changes.
- Promotes Conscious Consumption: Green gifting encourages thoughtfulness and intentionality in the selection of presents. It shifts the focus from mass-produced, disposable items to meaningful, long-lasting gifts. The mindset of “Green Friday” is way more sustainable than “Black Friday” (which seems to be turning from one day of consumerism to an entire month!). Bliss Vintage and Handmade in Sunnyside is actually promoting a lovely “Violet Friday”, a day of gratitude and meditation in lieu of searching for sales!
Overall, green gifting provides a more sustainable way to celebrate special occasions and presents opportunities to promotes positive change for both people and the planet.
Bee Personal: Tips for Green Gifting
It’s not always easy to find a green gift, but here are a few things to consider.
- BEE PERSONAL Start with the person and consider all the things you know about them. Then, start to think about what you know about them. For instance, if they are passionate about gardening, durable garden tools or compost bins to make their own fertilizer are unique choices. Alternatively, individuals who are into fitness might appreciate gifts such as reusable water bottles or eco-friendly yoga mats. Personalizing your selection to match their interests shows that you value their choices and enhance their commitment to sustainable practices.
- Identify brands that prioritize sustainability. Look for companies that utilize renewable resources, minimize waste, and adhere to ethical labor practices. One of our favorite new brands is Who Gives a Crap, clearly a business that cares about the future of our planet AND has a sense of humor too!
- Consider items made from recycled materials or those that are biodegradable.
- Look for minimal packaging which can signal a manufacturer’s dedication to being eco-friendly. Take it from the Queen Bee, it’s not easy bee-ing green!
- DIY green gifts add a personal touch while promoting sustainability. Pinterest is full of ideas on how to transform or upcycle materials you probably have in the house into unique and personal gifts
Green Gift Guides
While holiday gift guides abound, there are fewer green gift guides out there. Backyard Bees Holiday Green Gift Guide offers gift ideas include their natural body care products, all of which are sustainably created and packaged…and functional. For other ideas and brands that may complement our products, we like the gift guide by My Green Closet.
However you practice green gifting, stop and give yourself credit. It’s not always easy to bee green, but we’re happy to report it’s getting easier!
