Zero-Waste Holiday Gift Ideas

The overwhelming grayness of the late autumn days is finally starting to fade into a sea of soft candlelight, and with a subtle hint of snowfall in the air, the holiday season is approaching. The scent of nutmeg and mulled wine, however, does tend to come with a not-so slight whiff of consumerism on the…

Mikaela Sasi Avatar

Written by

Mikaela Sasi

The overwhelming grayness of the late autumn days is finally starting to fade into a sea of soft candlelight, and with a subtle hint of snowfall in the air, the holiday season is approaching. The scent of nutmeg and mulled wine, however, does tend to come with a not-so slight whiff of consumerism on the side. The commercialization of Christmas brings an ugly downside to the holiday celebrations but luckily, there are ways to go around it. It is possible to spread holiday cheer while being environmentally conscious and financially smart. Therefore, here is a list of non-material, zero-waste holiday gifts to get you started:

Free

The most meaningful gifts can be completely free of charge. Show appreciation to your loved ones by writing a poem or a list of 10 things you love about them. Helping out with chores, groceries or cleaning are also perfect ways to let someone know you care about them.

  • Act of kindness
  • A poem
  • Cleaning someone’s apartment
  • Offering to do chores
  • Affirmations or messages
  • Mixtape / a playlist of your favorite songs

Affordable

Cooking a nice dinner at home or planning a winter forest trip with hot cocoa is as cozy as it gets.

  • A picnic in a forest
  • Fancy dinner at home
  • Breakfast in bed
  • Mini road trip

Charity

Donating to a charity organization that is close to your loved one’s heart on behalf of them is a meaningful gift that also contributes to the greater good.

Subscriptions

There is a wide variety of different online subscriptions and streaming services that make for perfect non-material holiday gifts.

  • Spotify
  • Audiobook apps
  • Netflix, HBO, Disney+
  • Online newspaper subscription

Wellbeing

Gifts around wellbeing bring long-lasting benefits and show that you care about your loved ones physical, mental, and emotional health.

  • Yoga classes, padel, badminton, gym membership
  • Therapy
  • Aura reading

Culture

Particularly, after the past year a gift that supports the culture industry is a perfect way to show your appreciation and spread joy.

  • Trip to a museum
  • Theater or movie tickets
  • Concert
  • Music or art festival

Luxurious

2020 has been a tough year so treating your loved one to a pampering experience is a great way to show your love for them.

  • Restaurant
  • Spa day
  • Massage
  • Staycation (A night in a hotel nearby)
  • Floating (salt bath)

LundaEkonomerna energy

If Wolf of Wall Street is your favourite movie and you consider gilets to be a wardrobe staple, this category is made for you <333.

  • Investing in an index fund on behalf of your loved one
  • Stocks (preferably from ethical companies)
  • Offering Excel tutorials
  • Subscription to Financial Times / The Economist

Happy holidays xx

About Nådiga Lundtan

Founded in 1948, Nådiga Lundtan has since been an important part of student life in at Lund School of Economics and Management at Lund University. The magazine covers a wide range of topics related to economics, society, and politics, as well as careers, entrepreneurship, and innovation. It is a platform for students to share their ideas and opinions on economics and related fields.

About Us
View more articles

  • Queuing culture, and the fear of being left behind 

    All major Swedish cities have universities. All major Swedish cities offer an abundance of pubs, clubs, museums and events. However, not all major Swedish cities expect you to stand in line for 24 hours to get a ticket for Valborg. How come young people flock to town? 

  • The Illusion of Equality in Tennis

    Identical trophies and matching prize money at Wimbledon suggest a perfect model of equality, but the symmetry is skin-deep. Beyond the headlines, conditional fairness reveals a sport still shaped by structural gaps and biased media framing.

  • Behind the Price

    Between VIP packages and skyrocketing prizes, the dream of seeing live music is fading for many. As streaming revenues dwindle, artists turn tours into their primary financial engine. Amongst this one vital question remains: has the concert experience shifted from a common joy to an exclusive luxury?