Okay, we’ll admit, it's not the catchiest title, but you understand where we’re coming from, right?

The holiday season (for many) is a wonderful time of year full of love, giving, wholesome moments, delicious food, family and friends. As we weave our way through the card writing, present wrapping, and food preparation this holiday period, let's make a conscious choice to opt for gifts that not only bring joy to our loved ones but also contribute to the well-being of the Earth… after all, the Earth cares for our well-being all year round!

What Are Eco-Friendly Gifts?

When we talk about eco-friendly gifts, we mean gifts that won’t create waste, or carbon emissions, or contribute to climate change. They’re also items that could be considered sustainable and can help change behavior or reduce one’s carbon footprint over time.

Where to Find Eco-Friendly Gifts?

Fear not, we’ve scoured the internet far and wide and put together the Climate First Bank Top Five Sustainable Gifts This Festive Period:

• Gift cards! They’re the easy ‘go to’ if you’re not sure what to get for someone – plus they fit flat in an envelope, no wrapping required, and there are lots of options out there, no matter if you know what someone likes or if you don’t! Consider exploring gift cards from Etsy, which offers a huge range of different fashion finds, home favorites, gift sets, the list goes on. They offset 100% of their carbon emissions from shipping and packing and they’ve committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2030.
• Plant a tree. A go-to favorite for some of our team at Climate First Bank, One Tree Planted gives you a way of gifting trees in lots of different parts of the world, including California, Canada, Europe, Florida, and Oregon – or you can pick specific projects such as forest fire recovery. And it’s a dollar a tree, so it doesn’t have to break the bank! Plant any number of trees (starting from 1!), pick the location, and write a personalized e-card to the recipient. Happy planting!
• Send a gift box. At Climate First Bank, we sometimes send goody bags to partners or customers who have been particularly special to us in some way. Our team always relies on the amazing gift boxes from Packed with Purpose. They have six impact areas including women empowerment, sustainability and environment, and health and well-being. And they put their money where their mouth is by reporting on their impact every year just like we do at Climate First Bank. They’re a Certified B Corp too!
• Experience over materialism. Why not treat your family, friends, signification other, or your loyal dog to a new experience this holiday season? Our friends at Legacy Vacation Resorts offer family-friendly and sustainable travel experiences across Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, and Nevada. They’re a Certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member (like us at Climate First Bank!), and they put the planet at the heart of every decision they make.
• Source second-hand! Did you know over 100 billion garments are produced each year, and a shocking 92 million tons end up in landfills? That’s the equivalent of a rubbish truck full of clothes ending up on landfill sites every second… of Brand. New. Clothes. It’s hard to get your head around that! Buying second-hand can help reduce that cycle, not only that, it’s fun to find bargains in your local thrift store or on digital platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Vinted.

Over the holiday season, let's celebrate the season of giving with a mindful and eco-friendly approach. By choosing gifts that align with sustainable values, we not only express our love and appreciation for others but also contribute to the well-being of our planet. Small changes in our gift-giving traditions can collectively make a significant impact, fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental consciousness. As we exchange presents this holiday season, let's remember that the best gifts are those that keep on giving—to both our loved ones and the Earth we call home.

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