The festive season can be full of excitement, deadlines, and a lot of pressure to buy the “perfect” present. But thoughtful doesn’t have to mean expensive or wasteful. If you’re looking for ways to be kind to the planet and your bank account this year, here are some easy, student-friendly ideas to make your gifting more sustainable.
Gift Time, Not Just Things
Some of the best presents don’t come in a box at all. Instead of stressing over what to buy (or quietly re-gifting something you didn’t really want), why not gift an experience?
You could:
- Plan a day trip together
- Book a show or gig you’ll both enjoy
- Offer your time pet-sitting for a friend who’s going away
- Go on a wintery walk somewhere nice and bring a hot drink
If you hit those, that’s a good revision day. Anything extra is a bonus, not a requirement.
This takes the pressure off and makes it easier to keep going, even on days when you’re tired, busy, or just not feeling it.
Buying New? Check the Label
If you are buying physical gifts, a quick look at the label can make a big difference.
For things made of paper, wood, card or bamboo, look for:
- 100% recycled materials
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified products – this means the materials come from responsibly managed forests
Try to avoid single-use plastic items, especially ones that can’t be recycled. Glitter is a sneaky one here – it looks fun, but most glitter is tiny plastic that ends up in the environment. If you want some sparkle, go for an edible or biodegradable alternative instead.
For food gifts, keep an eye out for:
- Fairtrade
- Palm-oil free or RSPO-certified (sustainable palm oil)
- Certified organic options
These choices help support better working conditions, more ethical supply chains, and more sustainable farming.
Go Local Where You Can
When you’re picking up presents or planning festive meet-ups, consider shopping local instead of defaulting to big online retailers.
Local shops, cafés and small businesses rely heavily on support from residents and students, especially over the festive period. By popping into a nearby shop instead of ordering everything online, you’re:
- Supporting the local economy
- Helping to sustain local jobs
- Often cutting down on packaging and delivery emissions too
It’s a small switch that can have a big impact – and you might discover some really unique gifts you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Rethink Your Wrapping
Let’s be honest: most of us spend ages wrapping gifts only for everything to be ripped open in 10 seconds and thrown away. The good news is, there are much more sustainable (and often prettier) ways to do it.
Wrap With Fabric
One lovely option is to ditch wrapping paper altogether and try furoshiki – the Japanese-inspired art of wrapping gifts in fabric.
You can use:
- Old scarves
- Fabric offcuts
- Bandanas or tea towels
They’re reusable, beautiful, and make the wrapping part of the gift. No tape, no glitter, no waste.
If You’re Using Wrapping Paper…
Not all wrapping paper is recyclable, even if it looks like it should be. To keep it planet-friendly, try to:
- Choose paper-only wrap – no glitter, no foil, no plastic coating
- Avoid overly shiny or metallic finishes
You can also use the scrunch test:
- Scrunch the wrapping paper into a ball.
- If it stays scrunched, it’s likely just paper and can be recycled.
- If it springs back, it probably contains plastic and/or foil and needs to go in the general waste bin.
It’s a really simple way to tell the difference.
Small Choices, Big Impact
Sustainable gifting isn’t about being perfect or never buying anything again – it’s about making small, thoughtful choices where you can:
- Choosing an experience instead of more “stuff”
- Checking labels for recycled, Fairtrade, FSC or RSPO-certified options
- Supporting local businesses
- Switching to reusable or recyclable wrapping
All of these are easy wins that still feel festive and special.
So this year, if you’re swapping unwanted pressies or planning what to get your friends and family, remember: you don’t have to sacrifice the fun to be kind to the planet. 🌍💚