Eco-friendly gifting
Eco-friendly gifting is a great way to show your loved ones that you care about them and the future of our environment. By choosing or creating gifts that are practical and sustainable, you can make a positive impact on the environment, whilst also giving a thoughtful and useful present.
One of the best ways to embrace sustainable gifting is to choose practical products that we use on a daily basis. (Once, I was given an ice cream machine which was barely used, this bulky item sat in the back of the cupboard for most of the year during colder months). So it's really important you gift thoughtfully!
Shampoo bars and soaps are perfect examples of practical gifting that truly convey care and thoughtfulness. They bring a smile to our faces and usefullness to your loved ones. They also subtly promote sustainable living. These practical eco-friendly gifts allow your recipients to indulge in a quality product while reducing plastic waste and minimising their ecological footprint.
I recommend you gift something like a nourishing shampoo bar that leaves the hair silky-smooth and free from plastic, or a beautifully crafted soap that pampers the skin with gentle, natural ingredients. These thoughtful gifts demonstrate your genuine concern for a persons well-being and our planet. Show your love and care by choosing practical gifts that make a difference in their lives and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
I would much prefer a gift that is practical and I can put to good use, even if i didn't necessarily like the item.
In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of eco-friendly gifts and explain why practical products like shampoo bars and soap make great gifts.
Why Choose Eco-friendly Gifts?
Eco-friendly gifting has numerous benefits for your loved ones and the environment. Here are just a few reasons to choose sustainable gifts:
Reduce Waste
You can help reduce waste and limit the amount of packaging that ends up in landfills. Many eco-friendly gifts are purposely designed to be reusable, which means they can be used over and over again, reducing the need for single-use items.
Support Local Businesses
Many sustainable gifts are made by small, local businesses. By choosing these gifts, you can support the local economy and help small businesses thrive. It is likely that these local companies are also sourcing their ingredients and products locally too; further reducing our carbon footprint.
Lower Environmental Impact
Eco-friendly gifts are often made using sustainable materials and production methods, which can help reduce their environmental impact. Many "package-less" items can be wrapped in plain/patterned cloth to create a little gift bag. This is the Japanese gift technique known as Furoshiki. This beautiful way of wrapping presents saves on additional trees being cut down, the heavy energy used to manufacture these rolls of paper followed by the single waste which only sometimes gets recycled.
Why Choose Practical Gifts?
Practical gifts, like shampoo bars and soap, are excellent choices for eco-friendly gifts. Here's why…
It's Useful
Unlike novelty items or gifts that are only used occasionally, practical gifts like shampoo bars and soap are necessities that we use regularly.
Cost-Effective
Practical eco-friendly gifts can be cost-effective in the long run. For example, a shampoo bar may seem more expensive than a bottle of liquid shampoo, but it can last much longer and save money in the long run.
Versatile
Practical eco-friendly gifts like soap and shampoo bars can be used by almost anyone, making them versatile and easy to give as gifts.
Choosing Sustainable Products
If you're thinking about giving eco-friendly gifts, there are a few things to keep in mind...
Look for products that are made using eco-friendly materials and production methods. Particularly handmade and not mass-produced.
Choose products that are designed to be reusable or made using recycled materials.
Finally, support local businesses by choosing products made by small, local companies. There are so many out there. Just ask in your local Facebook Group, and you will discover many in your local area that you didn't even know existed- simply because they operate online. (Which makes their operating costs lower and should therefore offset prices onto the consumers.)
Final Thoughts
Contrary to popular belief, shopping small does not always mean spending more money. Small businesses often offer competitive pricing and can provide unique and high-quality products that are not available from larger companies.
Small businesses may offer personalised customer service and a more positive shopping experience, which can be worth the extra cost. (Try finding help from a larger business where you get passed from one person to another.) Additionally, by supporting small businesses, you are investing in your local community and helping to create jobs and economic growth.
Shopping small is more cost-effective, especially if you factor in the long-term value of durable, well-made products often found at small businesses.
Please do have a look at our Eco-friendly gifts , shampoo bars and soap range. Here at Washla, we only use the gentlest quality ingredients, packaged in biodegradable wraps and shipped through our carbon neutral scheme.
Eco-friendly gifting is a great way to show your loved ones that you care about them and the planet. By choosing practical products like shampoo bars and soap, you can give a valuable and thoughtful gift while reducing your environmental impact. Remember to choose products that are eco-friendly and support local businesses whenever possible. Happy gifting!
Written by Elaine at Washla.