As the seasons shift and the hedgerows unveil their winter colours with holly berries and wild rosehips shining their jolly reds, we are reminded that Christmas is fast approaching.

This year, why not embrace the concept of a conscious Christmas, keeping things simple and making sustainable choices when it comes to giving. Think Less but Better.

Here we will explore some thoughtful gift ideas that will bring joy to loved ones, but that won’t harm the planet.

1. Homemade

In a world that is filled with mass produced items and instant gratification, homemade presents hold a special place in our hearts. There is a kind of magic in creating something by hand, don’t you think? The whole process of creating, the thoughtfulness that is put into crafting, and of course, that person’s time and effort spent in making something makes their gift truly wonderful. These types of gifts offer a heartfelt touch that cannot be replicated, for they embody the true essence of giving from the heart.

Here are a few of our favourite ideas: Homemade biscuits in a little handmade box or tin. A handmade Christmas decoration. A drawing or picture for the recipient to cherish. A poem. A bottle of a home-made beverage such as sloe gin or rhubarb vodka. A knitted hat.

2. Upcycled Accessories and Home Decor

Gifts made from sustainably sourced materials, and upcycled materials add a unique touch to any home.

Check out our handmade wreaths and pin badges that have been made locally in Devon by an independent artist, Lily Faith. The dried seedheads and flowers have been foraged responsibly and each piece is thoughtfully and carefully put together to create a beautiful piece of art for the home, or on the go.

3. Grow Your Own Kits

For those who love the great outdoors and being surrounded by the natural world, a starter kit for a herb garden or a mini meadow is an excellent gift choice. From creating their own seed balls, to twine and plant labels and also plantable cards. These are the gifts that will help people embark on their own gardening journey, bringing a sense of fulfilment, and encouraging a closer connection with nature and a slower pace to reconnect.

4. Wrapping

We LOVE brown paper packages tied up with string - simple, chic, easy to personalise and easy to recycle and reuse. Pair up brown paper with our beautiful twine or raffia then simply top with a plantable gift tag and some dried slices of orange, grapefruit or dried pinecones (and even a cinnamon stick!) instead of using plastic ribbons and other unrecyclable adornments. This is an elegant, earth friendly alternative that just enhances the beauty of your gifts. Adorning packages with sprigs of fresh herbs, like rosemary or lavender, not only look great but also provide a fragrant touch.

We also love the concept of reusing other items from around your home for wrapping such as newspapers, old maps and magazines and, again, accessorising with twine or dried fruit or paper decorative toppers. By giving new life to these materials, you reduce waste and add a personal touch to your gifts.

We are big fans of Furoshiki here, this is a Japanese concept of reusable fabric gift wraps. These are quick, easy to use and make wrapping any shape effortless and look beautiful. Once the recipient has unwrapped their gift they can either return to the ‘giver’ or keep and pass on for future wrapping. This offers a real luxury option to zero-waste wrapping, avoiding the use for any paper and tape/string.

For lots of amazing wrapping inspiration check our The Furoshiki Wrap Company on instagram.

5. Sustainable Sourced Clothing & Accessories

Fast fashion - a booming industry which captivates millions. Producing ‘fast’ fashion which is seen as ‘trendy’ at very low prices. Beneath this lies a massive toll on the environment, including HUUUUGE waste generation, increased carbon emissons and a massive consumption of natural resources such as water. The raw materials sourced quite often involves deforestation and habitat destruction, leading to the loss of biodiversity and disruption of ecosystems. Fast fashion garments promotes frequent buying and then discarding of garments which results in overflowing landfills, many of the garments are made from synthetic materials which take hundreds of years to decompose and release harmful chemicals.

As consumers, prioritising sustainable alternatives is a must, we can do this by buying second hand, opting for higher quality clothing that lasts longer and supporting ethical brands. We love The Glass Shed Studio, based in Devon and run by two ladies. They offer a sustainable approach to fashion by repurposing fabric into timeless bags, aprons and jackets. Some of the materials used include old canvas tents that might otherwise be sent to landfill. The pieces they create are of a wonderful quality and are strong and durable. A piece that will look stylish and last.