Coming up with a sustainable Christmas gift guide is quite challenging in some ways. It’s challenging because we’re told to focus on being consumers at this time of year, but the buying of lots of stuff is really not sustainable at all.

For this sustainable gift guide, I have tried to come up with some ideas that are more experience and learning focussed. I’ve become a big fan of giving a new skill, as it’s something that will keep giving over time, and will be enjoyed for years to come.

Several of the gift ideas are nature and growing based. Even if your loved one doesn’t have a garden you will find some of these relevant and fun. These are also gifts that will keep on giving, and can bring joy throughout the year.

Gift Ideas for the Maker

Here are some sustainable gift ideas for the crafter or creative in your life with a focus on workshops:

Felt Art

Moy Mackay is an artist based in the Scottish Borders, using felt and stitch to create stunning landscapes rather than paint. She has online and in person courses, where you can learn to create your own felt art.

Leatherwork

Roslyn Whiting is another Scottish Borders craftswoman, who creates beautiful pieces in leather. She runs in person leather craft workshops, each one focussed on learning to make a particular item- a belt, a wallet, or focussed on hand tooling.

Paper Folding

Kate Colin Design does the most fabulous paper folding, making lampshades, baubles and art pieces. I took one of her online paper folding courses a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it.  She holds in person workshops too.

Tapestry Weaving

Balfour and Co run tapestry weaving workshops in person and online. This is on my wish list as it looks great!

Pottery Classes

John Burgess Ceramics in Edinburgh runs pottery classes, with introduction to wheel throwing classes.

Visible Mending

Learning to repair clothes is definitely a gift that will last for years! I have lots of options if you would like to give someone visible mending skills as a gift. My book and materials kit is a great option or, if you think your loved one would like to learn some of the skills in more depth, then a workshop, either live online, in person or a pre-recorded darning workshop would be the way to go.

One option that doesn’t involve spending any money at all is to mend something for your loved one as a gift- their favourite sweater or pair of jeans perhaps. Make it creative and fun, and let them have the joy of wearing something they love again.

Patisserie and Chocolate Making

Coco Black in Peebles run chocolate and patisserie making courses. I haven’t attended one myself, but a friend has and loved it. The results were beautiful and delicious (I did get to sample them) and I think this would make a lovely gift and treat.

Gift Ideas for the Nature Lover and Gardener

Spending time in nature is one of the best ways to relax and de-stress, and learning more about it connects us to the world we are part of. So here are some gift ideas for the nature lover or aspiring nature lover in your life:

Foraging Walks

Book a foraging walk. This year I’ve been on two foraging walks- one with Wild Foods UK, and one that I booked through Mo Wilde on mushrooms. They were at different times of year, in different places and very interesting. It was largely about plant and mushroom identification, and both were really enjoyable, and were a great experience to share and be able to discuss afterwards.

Wild Foods UK also have a very handy pocket guide for foraging, and Mo Wilde has a written a really interesting book about eating wild food only for a year- ‘The Wilderness Cure’ and has run the wild biome project with other foragers this year.

Learn about Permaculture Living

Almost two years ago I was introduced to Milkwood, a permaculture living course run by Kirsten Bradley, Nick Ritar. They run an absolutely wonderful online course, that you can do at your own pace, whether you have a garden or not. I found it hugely inspiring. They have just published a permaculture living handbook- basically a book version of the course, and I highly recommend that too! These are skills and resources you’ll love if you’re trying to have a positive impact on the world.

Seeds for Gardening

Real Seeds UK have some gift collections of seeds. Their “bountiful plot’ collection includes a wide range of seeds for growing all sorts of veggies. It’s a gift that will keep giving all year.

Real seeds also have lots of information on how to save your own seeds, so it could be a gift that keeps on giving for years to come!

Gift A Tree

If your loved one has a garden, why not consider getting them a tree? Fruit trees are a lovely thing to have in the garden, and can be enjoyed year after year. I have an apple tree that was given to me as a gift, and I still think it was an inspired idea, which I have now copied! It will benefit more than just one person, as it can feed more than just one, and will be loved by wildlife. It’s a lovely way to invest in the future.

Grow your own Mushrooms

Rhyze Mushrooms in Edinburgh are a co-operative, community interest company turning trash into food. You can buy a mushroom grow box and grow your own edible mushrooms. I was given this for my birthday this year and it was fascinating! I became slightly obsessed with how fast they grow. And you’ll get more than one crop too. I’ll be giving some of these as gifts this year for sure.

Grow your own Sprouting Seeds

Sprouting seeds are really nutritious and really easy to grow at home in the kitchen. Sky Sprout Organics have starter kits and lots of different seeds you can try. A great home growing option for those without a garden, and very satisfying to watch.

Gift an Eco Stay

Last year I booked a weekend away at Hedge and Furrow’s Shepherds Hut. It is a gorgeous off-grid hut on a beautiful permaculture farm/ forest garden, with outdoor cooking and cosy wood stove inside. There’s a wood fired sauna and hot tub, and you can swim in the pond. If you’re after an experience to remember as a gift, then this could be it.

Gifts that Cost Nothing

One of the suggestions I loved most in Orsola De Castro’s book ‘Loved Clothes Last’ was the suggestion of giving away something you own to the right person. I think the rule was that it had to be something you still loved and valued, not something you were trying to get rid of, so that it was a special and meaningful gift. This could be a favourite belt you know the recipient likes, or in the case of my best friend, this could mean giving her my favourite tea cosy!

I hope you’ve found some of these sustainable Christmas gift ideas useful, and if you have any others you’d like to share, please add them in the comments!