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
