Giving is undoubtedly one of the best parts about Christmas. Watching family and friends, and particularly children, as they unwrap their presents – that look of complete joy and excitement – is one of the great highlights of the holidays.
This year I sense that we are shifting towards a different way of giving; more of us are becoming aware of the impact of our choices – of where our gifts come from, how they are made and the amount we buy.
And I am hopeful that we might start to appreciate how a different and more conscious approach to giving, could help lighten the load on the earth, while keeping celebrations abundant and happy.
This year I’ve highlighted a few ideas around how to do that, which I hope will be helpful!
FOR CHILDREN
In my experience children are more likely to play with toys for longer when they are not overwhelmed by choice. While it’s tempting to want to inundate children with everything and anything they could possibly want, too many presents can mean they actually lose interest, and the magic fades away.
I love to encourage children’s creativity and awareness so I aim to give something they can be involved with, like a bag of seedballs that they can enjoy flinging out of the window as we go on safari somewhere. For older kids a brownie jar can be fun to put to use on Boxing Day, and shared out with friends and family. I love slipping something small like a Monster Repellent into the kids stockings too – it makes a nice change from toothpaste! (Although to be fair that will probably go in as well!). Year long gifts like our moon calendar can also be great, and help with understanding the wonder of our universe.
FESTIVE FOOD & DRINK
Sharing good food and drink is at the heart of the Festive season, and guarantees big smiles! We have lots of decadent festive fare packaged in ways that don’t leave a heavy footprint. I love our range of delicious and indulgent hampers, our pre-mixed cocktails, yummy chocolates, and unusual seasonal cheeses. A great pack of coffee can make a fabulous gift, as can a delicious bottle of wine. The wonderful thing about food gifts is that they will be savored and enjoyed, and they certainly won’t sit and collect dust!
FOR THE HOME
When you hit a certain age, it’s all about creating a lovely nest to come home to! I love something nice for the home, and our hampers provide just that – from the wooden crates that can easily be upcycled with a touch of paint, to the Msambweni mini kikapu which I have on my bedside table for books and essentials, they are lovely pieces to have at home. I also love having a moon calendar hanging in the kitchen every year so that we know what phase we are in, and to help educate the kids about the cycles of the moon. For someone who is interested in getting into composting, our starter compost kit is so compact that it can be used in an apartment! It means doing your bit for food waste all year round. Also consider the amazing Mason’s Mission e-book, written by an 11 year old Evan Williams, to raise money for Usikimye.
FOR HIM
Men can be a bit tricky to purchase for, but we think the stasher bag is eternally useful and can be used in many different ways! From stashing his phone when he goes on safari, or being used to carry a packed lunch, marinating some meat for the BBQ and a myriad other uses, it’s a winner. We also have great men’s face cream which works well in a stocking, or a bottle of delicious spirits which is always nice!
FOR HER
Take a peek at our haircare and skincare section for some great inspirational presies for the girls in your life. Things like our Calendula Healing Infusion is a wonderful gift, along with little sprays like Buzz Off. I know I’d just love a good bar of chocolate or our chocolate covered hazelnuts *hint, because it’s a bit treat to have those! Then there’s the sleep mask which frankly is a god send when I do finally get a bit more sleep, and I love to have that along with the leleshwa smudgestick to ward off any negative auras in the house.
THE GIFT OF EXPERIENCES
One of the ways we can all help to reduce packaging, wrapping and lower excess consumption this Christmas is to gift a new skill or an experience. Booking someone a spa treatment, giving them tickets to a show or a sporting event you know they will enjoy, or taking them out for a delicious meal are all wonderful ways to show you care. Some of the most successful gifts I have given involve learning something new – the sense of fulfillment that comes from a new skill is unique. Teach something new with the gorgeous Provisions kombucha starter kit which will provide the health bunny with something great for their gut all year round!
TAKE THE EASY ROUTE
Our hampers are always a popular gift and we have range of choice so there’s something for every taste. Once the contents are emptied, the basket or crate can be repurposed in lots of creative ways. One of the easiest gifts to give is a voucher, so that whoever you are giving to can choose whatever they want!!
